Well, another album by Rock ‘n Rolf, a.k.a. Running Wild. Rolf is Running Wild, and no infinite number of other band members is going to change that. For this album, he played together with only bassist Peter Pichel, and his drum computer. What can I say about drum computers in heavy metal? Except that it’s not heavy at all to record your songs with a drum computer? Of course, there’s the old joke that with a drum computer you only have to punch the instructions in once, and that might well be “pig-headed” Rolf’s motivation for not contracting an actual drummer. But a drum computer… it drains a lot of spontaneity from your music. Not that Running Wild cares much for spontaneous music. On this album, the 21st (!) in 21 years, everything is done by the book. The songs are solid, not a note out of place in any of the solo’s, and surely nothing unexpected.

Of course, when you’re around for 21 years, it’s hard to come up with something new all the time. But at least try to sound as if you’re having fun doing it. Or show any other kind of emotion. The songs on this album are ok, but are easily forgotten. And everything is produced to a smooth sound, so not a hint of character shines through. It’s the emotion and the spontaneity that are the strong parts of heavy metal, and this album has neither. It’s not heavy. So I would suggest that you get out one of your earlier RW-albums, it will give you anything this album has to offer, and probably better. And if you’re a fan, hope that if you go see Rolf live (with drummer) the live-experience will add what is missing on this CD.