Already for few decades Running Wild has been playing traditional heavy metal. I reckon, they must be doing something right since this is their thirteenth album. Nonetheless, Rolf Kasparek's (Rock'n'Rolf) voice isn't anywhere near the best on the scene, so it can't be the singing. Some of the songs are run-off-the-mill as well, so what could it be then... perhaps it's the attitude. Apparently Rock'n'Rolf considers rogues to be rather fashionable, since his latest album is titled as 'Rogues en Vogue'.

Musically this album doesn't offer any surprises but the material is rather similar to Running Wild's previous works. So basically Rogues en Vogue is traditional heavy metal album with melodic leads and strong choruses. Rock'n'Rolf has taken care of composing and writing this album, and the result is eleven + two (Limited Edition) songs.

Rogues en Vogue was both produced and mixed by Rock'n'Rolf at Jolly-Roger-Sound Studio. Mastering, on the other hand, was handled by Rainer Holst at Staccato Studio. The sounds on this album are a bit modernized compared to the sounds on their previous albums. Nonetheless, there's still a small amount of rawness on the guitars left. Although the recordings are quite clean (background distortion occurred seldom), the sounds on this album could be better. At the moment the guitars are a bit too thin and also the drums could have been mixed better. In addition, there's way too much reverb on drums.

I have always regarded Running Wild as one of the b-class heavy metal acts, and Rogues en Vogue doesn't change that impression. Although this album is fairly good, it could be better in some aspects. However, the fans of Running Wild definitely won't be disappointed with this album.

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- MAGE (March 21st, 2005)

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LINE-UP:
Kasparek, Rolf "Rock'n'Rolf": Guitars, Vocals, Bass Liebetruth, Matthias: Drums Pichl, Peter: Bass on Tracks 2, 4, 6, 9 & 13
Producer:	Kasparek, Rolf "Rock'n'Rolf"
Mixing by:	Kasparek, Rolf "Rock'n'Rolf"
Mastering by:	Holst, Rainer

	TRACKLIST:
	01. Draw the Line 02. Angel of Mercy 03. Skeleton Dance 04. Skull & Bones 05. Born Bad, Dying Worse 06. Black Gold 07. Soul Vampires 08. Rogues en Vogue 09. Winged & Feathered 10. Dead Man's Road 11. The War Bonustracks: 12. Cannonball Tongue 13. Libertalia Length: 64:33