RUNNING WILD: 'Shadowmaker' Release Date Confirmed

German power metallers RUNNING WILD have reformed and will release their new album, "Shadowmaker", on April 20, 2012 in Germany and three days later in the rest of Europe via SPV/Steamhammer.

RUNNING WILD played what was billed as its "farewell" show at the 2009 edition of Wacken Open Air festival, which was held July 30 - August 1, 2009 in Wacken, Germany. The band's July 30, 2009 "best-of" performance was filmed and recorded for a DVD and CD, "The Final Jolly Roger", which came out this past June via Golden Core/ZYX.

Stated RUNNING WILD mainman Rolf "Rock 'N' Rolf" Kasparek: "My comments in spring 2009 about the demise of RUNNING WILD were absolutely serious at the time. I really needed time out and, to be honest, couldn't imagine even in January 2011 that I would ever feel like recording a new album again. But when I had the inspiration for a best-of album, to which I wanted to contribute four new numbers, I rediscovered how much I enjoy composing. From then on it was only a small step to record a full new studio album."

Kasparek wrote ten new tracks for "Shadowmaker", including the midtempo opener "Piece Of The Action", the uptempo number "Shadowmaker" ("roughly the same pace as 'Angel Of Mercy'," says Kasparek) and the monumental eight-minute song "Dracula", based on Bram Stoker's novel and the Christopher Lee movies.

"To me, 'Shadowmaker' is a very special album because there was no pressure, timewise or otherwise," says Kasparek. "I feel it's clearly audible that this relaxed attitude helped me to write one of the strongest RUNNING WILD recordings of all time."

A video message from Kasparek in which he reveals his thoughts about the new RUNNING WILD album, as well as the band's past and the future, can be seen below.

Kasparek calls RUNNING WILD's new deal with Steamhammer/SPV "a real stroke of luck and ideal partnership," adding, "SPV/Steamhammer are a long-established label with an experienced team, so I know that RUNNING WILD are in good hands. Besides, my band and the record company are based in the same German city (Hannover),which can't be a disadvantage for a smooth cooperation."

Olly Hahn, an A&R representative at Steamhammer/SPV, is equally delighted. "That a style-defining act such as RUNNING WILD signed with us comes close to an accolade," he says. "Band leader Rock 'N' Rolf is one of the metal scene's last originals, and we at SPV are unbelievably proud that his choice fell on us."

RUNNING WILD released a "best-of" compilation, entitled "Best of Adrian", in November 2006 via G.U.N. Records. The set included selections covering the previous nine years of the band's recording history (while they were signed to the G.U.N. label).

RUNNING WILD's last collection of new material, "Rogues En Vogue" (2005),entered the German album charts at position No. 39. The CD was produced by RUNNING WILD mainman Rolf "Rock 'N' Rolf" Kasparek and features the lineup of Kasparek (vocals, all guitars),Peter Pichl (bass) and Matthias Liebetruth (drums).