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“Under Jolly Roger” is the third Running Wild album, and the one where they began using the pirate imagery that made them famous all around the globe until the point that most of people ended up thinking that they were just a bunch of Long John Silver´s fans. This album is a very competent effort, since every song is solid, heavy and clearly convincing. Obviously the band was in a state of grace that would last for the next two studio albums, “Port Royal” and “Death or Glory”, considered by many the peak of the band´s career. Therefore, “Under Jolly Roger” is as a whole consistent, with good production, skills and songwriting work. Classic hymns like piratesque “Under Jolly Roger” or rebel chant “Raise your fist” blend with other songs like the crushing “Merciless Game” (one of the heaviest Running Wild songs ever) or the dark, slow, a bit gloomy “Land of Ice” showing a musical face that Rolf and co. usually didn´t unfold. This way, the experience of listening this album is rather cheerful and entertaining. As always, no progressive stuff, silly self-indulgent solos, ballads nor anything similar, Running Wild and their pure heavy metal is what you will have in your ears when putting this album on your stereo. A positive thing about the sound on “Under Jolly Roger” is the mighty drums role on the mix, where the bass drum is, at last, perfectly audible, something missing in other old albums where it was often into hiding. Besides that, the sound in general is strong and balanced; perhaps the vocals are a bit low, if I had to name a weakness. By the way, the pressing of the album I own has the song list mistaken on the back cover (whereas on the CD itself is correct), so I put here the right one. Final thoughts: a rocking Running Wild album that will please true heavy metal maniacs.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Under Jolly Roger |
| 2. Beggar´s Night |
| 3. Diamonds Of The Black Chest |
| 4. War In The Gutter |
| 5. Raise Your Fist |
| 6. Land Of Ice |
| 7. Raw Ride |
| 8. Merciless Game |
: 35.06
| Buy other Running Wild albums |
