RUNNING WILD – Branded And Exiled [Expanded Edition Remastered] (2017)

Noise Records has started the reissue campaign of RUNNING WILD first 9 albums with bonus material. “Branded And Exiled [Expanded Version Remastered]” is my favorite record from the band, one of these ’80s classy metal albums you need to hear.

Yeah I grew up listening to Melodic Hard Rock & AOR but also the classic heavy music of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden and many ‘underground’ metal bands. One of these is Running Wild, particularly this 1985’s “Branded And Exiled” album.
Running Wild have been around the block for many years, still active, and while I do not like their current ‘pirate metal style’, in the early ’80s the Germans released some very good, ‘true heavy metal’ records.

“Branded And Exiled” was their last, in my humble opinion, good LP, an enjoyable slice of Euro Heavy Metal plenty of cliches, but also melting riffs and that ‘leather’ sound.
You’ll hear Priest-inspired riffs done to perfection, and sounding exactly like the period from which they come. But the group also explore what they would eventually become on successive albums. ‘Mordor’ is probably the best example of the latter – mid-paced mechanical single-note comping, with lyrics inspired by Tolkien / Lords Of The Rings saga.

However the real deal here are songs like ‘Chains and Leather’ which sounds very much like Judas Priest anthems of the day, while ‘Gods Of Iron’ seems to draw on the Exciter-trademarked sound of Priest from such titanic efforts as Stained Class and Hell Bent For Leather.
“Branded and Exiled” is a smooth-flowing album that varies relatively little from track to track. There’s nothing remotely soft or resembling a ballad here, and the main emphasis is definitely on melody and heavy catchy riffs.

The production on “Branded and Exiled” is certainly dated for today’s metal standards (but there is its magic and why I like this album so much) particularly the echo effect put on Rolf’s vocals – which is no doubt an attempt to bolster the sound.
Still, everything is placed very well in the mix. The guitar tone is appropriately heavy and slammed in your face plus a good double-bass drumming. The lows are right there, moving your gut. The highs clash with each cymbal crash. It’s a comptent, classic early ’80s production.

This fresh remaster has done miracles on some tracks, especially the mid-tempo tunes, and you have as bonus 5 re-recorded versions, 2017 remastered as well.
Yeah, Running Wild’s “Branded and Exiled” is simple, cliched, no-sense classic heavy metal, but I like it. And if you never heard it, this Expanded Version Remastered digipak is the one to catch.
Strongly Recommended

01 – Branded and Exiled
02 – Gods of Iron
03 – Realm of Shades
04 – Mordor
05 – Fight the Oppression
06 – Evil Spirit
07 – Marching to Die
08 – Chains and Leather
BONUS TRACKS:
09 – Branded and Exiled (Re-recorded 1991; 2017 Remaster)
10 – Fight the Oppression (Re-recorded 1991; 2017 Remaster)
11 – Marching to Die (Re-recorded 1991; 2017 Remaster)
12 – Branded and Exiled (Re-recorded 2003; 2017 Remaster)
13 – Mordor (Re-recorded 1991; 2017 Remaster)

Rock’n’Rolf – guitars, vocals
Majk Moti – guitars
Stephan Boriss – bass
Hasche – drums

BUY IT !
shop.napalmrecords.com/running-wild-branded-and-exiled-expanded-version-digipak-cd.html
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