Germany has been presented the metal scene names as Sodom, Kreator, Destruction, Grave Digger and many others most recently. Most of these warriors are in the battle until our days and we are very lucky for this battle seems to be longer and longer...

This is the same case of Running Wild... coming from Germany, these guys recorded their debut "Gates to Purgatory" in 1984 at the Caet Studios (Berlin), the same place where Celtic Frost worked on their really classic titles. They signed to Noise Records and what more can I say??? Please note that when available on cd this was Noise Records number 1 cd catalog and consider it was recorded even before Celtic Frost's "Morbid Tales" EP.

This is fucking total classic proto-power-black metal and it reminds me of BLACK SABBATH, MOTORHEAD, VOI VOD and a touch of VENOM...

Well, almost 20 years after this record was originally produced, I can say it still rules and the music is truly great... The lyrics about inverted crosses, black metal, pentagrams, Satan, demons, witches are great although sounding such infantile, but keeps in perfect combination with the classic guitar riffs and Rock 'n Rolf's darkest vocals... The drumming is simple but powerful and the recording quality and mixing are surprising!!!

"PRISONER OF OUR TIME", "PREACHER", "BLACK DEMON", "SOLDIERS OF HELL" and "GENGIS KHAN" are typical (why not to say - german) anthems of the 80's and hearing to these songs is immediately traveling back to that time...

Especially recommended for the "bastards" of the second half of the 90's and for those who are interested in reviewing old school black metal.

I confess I really don't care about what Running Wild is doing nowadays, but "Gates to Purgatory" is a classic... I recommend this work to be heard with "Sentence of Death", "Endless Pain", "Obsessed by Cruelty" and other german jewels!

© 2001 kahun raivozu