RUNNING WILD - Masquerade Picture-LP (Pre-order)

Release date: August 7th 2026,

Running Wild’s classic album “Masquerade” as a deluxe Picture-LP (limited to 500 copies). Comes with an insert and an huge poster of the artwork!

It’s interesting to analyse how power metal in general didn’t collapse as badly, by the first half of the decade, as other subgenres, actually some of the strongest outputs of bands like Rolf & co. date back to that period.

“Black Hand Inn” is still highly-regarded by the fanbase. So no need to persuade Kasparek
to rearrange his ways by any means, actually, the album in question doesn’t take any turns from its predecessor’s direction.

This would be the band’s most unified and consistent line-up, recording not less than 3 albums in total, which felt like a lot, considering the traditionally convoluted, revolving door history that preceded it.

There are no anomalies in sound, no attempts at commerciality or modernization in any shape or form, something we are grateful for in the context of the time. A less ambitious, more direct effort, not devoid of fireworks, aggression and inspiration. Not lacking
the obligatory, eye-catching Marschall cover painting either.

For 1995, we could not ask for more.

• Artwork by the legendary Andreas Marshall (Sodom, Blind Guardian, Destruction, Obituary)
• Hard to find on vinyl these days
• Top notch recording by Gerhard Wölfle at Horus Sound Studio (a.o. Paradise Lost, Kreator, Celtic Frost, Rolling Stones)
• Extremely limited edition of only 500 copies world wide
• Comes in a quality sleeve with lyrics and a nice A2 poster
• The year 2026 will bring the final Running Wild live show at Wacken Open Air!

For fans of: Judas Priest, Accept, Saxon, Helloween, Grave Digger, Sabaton