Running Wild – Branded and Exiled (1985) [Full Album | Heavy Metal / Speed Metal]

Описание: Band: Running Wild
Album: Branded and Exiled
Type: Full-length
Year: 1985
Country: Germany
Genre: Heavy Metal / Speed Metal
Label: Noise Records
Note: Second studio album and a crucial step in the evolution of German speed metal, marking a darker, faster and more aggressive direction that helped shape the European extreme metal underground.

LINEUP:
Stephan: Bass, Vocals (backing)
Hasche: Drums, Vocals (backing)
Rock'n Rolf: Vocals, Guitars
Majk (R.I.P. 2023) :Guitars (lead), Vocals (backing)

TRACKLIST:
00:00 - Branded and Exiled — 03:54
03:54 - Gods of Iron — 04:00
07:54 - Realm of Shades — 04:28
12:22 - Mordor — 04:49
17:11 - Fight the Oppression — 04:55
22:06 - Evil Spirit — 03:19
25:25 - Marching to Die — 04:35
30:00 - Chains and Leather — 05:45

Released in 1985, Branded and Exiled represents a decisive turning point in Running Wild’s early career and in the development of German speed metal as a whole. Moving away from the raw heavy metal roots of their debut, the band embraced faster tempos, harsher riffing and a darker lyrical approach that aligned them with the rising extreme metal underground of the mid-80s. The title track immediately sets an aggressive tone, driven by sharp, galloping riffs and Rock ’n’ Rolf’s commanding vocal delivery. Songs like “Gods of Iron” and “Marching to Die” showcase the band’s increasing emphasis on speed and precision, while tracks such as “Realm of Shades” and “Evil Spirit” introduce a more ominous and atmospheric edge. The rhythm section of Jens Becker and Stefan Schwarzmann provides relentless drive, giving the album a tight and forceful backbone. Although Running Wild would later become synonymous with pirate-themed heavy metal, Branded and Exiled stands as a raw, uncompromising document of their speed metal era — an essential release for fans of early German metal, Noise Records classics and the aggressive sound that paved the way for thrash and power metal across Europe.