It’s finally official: Running Wild are back. Captain Rock’n’Rolf has announced the release of the new album, Shadowmaker, seven years after Running Wild’s last studio album, Rogues En Vogue. “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,” says Rolf. “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.”

Rock’n’Rolf has written ten new tracks for Shadowmaker, among them are the midtempo opener ‘Piece Of The Action’, the uptempo number ‘Shadowmaker’ (“roughly the same pace as ‘Angel Of Mercy'”) and the monumental eight-minute track ‘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. I feel it’s clearly audible that this relaxed attitude helped me to write one of the strongest Running Wild recordings of all time.”

Shadowmaker will be released worldwide on Steamhammer/SPV in April 2012, a cooperation which the Running Wild captain refers to as “a real stroke of luck and ideal partnership”. Rock’n’Rolf: “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, A&R at Steamhammer/SPV, is equally delighted: “That a style-defining act such as Running Wild signed with us comes close to an accolade. 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.”