• Voto:
Ci sono gruppi nella storia in grado di catturare l'attenzione come pochi, creare un feeling magico grazie alla loro musica, lasciare segni indelebili nella storia del loro genere, ma non tutti vengono ricordati dai posteri come dovrebbero, è questo il caso dei Running Wild.
Per chi non li conoscesse, i Running Wild sono gli incontrastati pirati dell'Heavy Metal, veri uomini duri e puri ma con il cuore d'oro e il sound più marcio del gorgonzola ammuffito al sole dei Caraibi, una band che ha saputo imporsi con tenacia e maestria e catturato nei suoi arrembaggi migliaia di metalheads fedeli e appassionati. E' il 1992 è il Capitano "Rock'n Rolf" Kasparek e la sua ciurma di sferragliatori sono pronti ad approntare l'ennesimo assalto sonoro, il disco che mi appresto a recensire non è altro che la naturale continuazione di ciò che precedentemente hanno costruito con i loro amati lavori "Under Jolly Roger", "Port Royal" e "Death or Glory", ed è stata forse la conferma definitiva della loro importanza nel panorama Heavy Metal.
"Pile of Skulls" altro non è che un concentrato di passione per i luoghi esotici ed inesplorati, la letteratura d'altri tempi e le ritmiche e sonorità di un genere mai troppo amato dai suoi sostenitori. Osserviamo la copertina che di per sè è tutto un dire, con quella macabra pila di teschi, che troneggia all'interno di una stanza sotterranea di chissà quale tempio nascosto nelle profondità dei Caraibi... sfogliamo le pagine e subito balza all'occhio lo stile di disegno con il quale i nostri vengono ritratti, che ricorda le illustrazioni del libro di Stevenson "L'isola del Tesoro", sensazione di deja vu questa che verrà presto confermata in una piacevole sorpresa.
Iniziamo dunque la nostra avventura, il disco si apre con una delle migliori intro che personalmente abbia mai avuto il piacere d'ascoltare, "Chamber Of Lies" è un concentrato d'atmosfera che ci cala da subito nel contesto dell'album mettendoci a nostro agio e stuzzicando la nostra fantasia, grazie ad un imponente coro seguito dal suono di un mandolino dal sapore medievale. "Whirlwind" è una vorticosa opener che investe le orecchie dell'ascoltatore rivelando tutta la durezza del suono Running Wild, non è a mio modesto parere uno dei brani più brillanti del disco ma si rivela un ottimo pretesto per scuotere la testa.
"Sinister Eyes" è già un brano di fattura assai notevole e trasmette un'enfasi non indifferente, esternando uno spiccato senso di buon gusto e mostrando i denti in un ritornello semplice ed anthemico. "Black Wings Of Death" è forse la vetta del disco, con il suo incedere lento ma deciso si scolpisce nelle orecchie dell'ascoltatore rivelando tutta la sua intensità. "Fistful Of Dynamite" è una vera esplosione d'aggressività e machismo che prende di prepotenza il posto e non delude le aspettative. "Roaring Thunder" è il pezzo più lento del disco è basa tutto sul drumming roccioso e i cori al ritornello. Un'esplosione sonora annuncia l'entrata in scena della titletrack "Pile Of Skulls", aggressiva ed inarrestabile, si rivela un vero gioiello. "Lead Or Gold" è il trionfo della smania piratesca più talla e goliardica, con quella proverbiale osservazione di fine ritornello, "....cursing all the conformist - who'll never be free!". Un colpo secco di batteria ed ecco entrare in scena "White Buffalo", una squisita cavalcata che vi trascinerà con ardore impedendovi di rimanere fermi. "Jenning's Revenge" è una colata di metallo bollente che vi investirà in tutta la sua isteria.
Il disco si chiude con quello che è forse il mio brano preferito e riporta alle illustrazioni del libretto, eh sì, sto parlando proprio del brano ispirato alla celebre opera di Stevenson, "Treasure Island" è un pezzo lungo, intricato, incredibilmente coinvolgente che conclude nel modo migliore l'ascolto.
In definitiva "Pile of Skulls" si rivela un ottimo disco, pregno del sound marcio che da sempre caratterizza l'etichetta Running Wild, un'occasione perfetta per conoscere questo gruppo, da sempre rinomato per non aver mai deluso i suoi devoti fans.
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02 Whirlwind (04:52)
Thundering foam that hits the keel
Like powder blazed by flints
The figure-head is riding high with
His face right to the wind
The hull that creaks in every joint is
Hammering the sea
Determined it will ride the main, it
Will last eternally
It rips the wild and stormy sea like
A heavy charge of pride
Book and eye are moved by storm
The ropes are holding tight
The rudder's beating left and right
The ship's in seasaw motion
The proudness of a majesty is
Banning all devotion
Like a whirlwind
Rushing over the sea
Like a whirlwind
Blowing fast, blowing free
Like a whirlwind
A raving storm in the night
Like a whirlwind
Going mad, going wild
Thundering foam that hits the keel
Like powder blazed by flints
The figure-head is riding high with
His face right to the wind
The hull that creaks in every joint is
Hammering the sea
Determined it will ride the main, it
Will last eternally
Like a whirlwind
Rushing over the sea
Like a whirlwind
Blowing fast, blowing free
Like a whirlwind
A raving storm in the night
Like a whirlwind
Going mad, going wild
Like a whirlwind
Like a whirlwind
Like a whirlwind
Like a whirlwind
03 Sinister Eyes (05:06)
A blue and blinding light
Is devouring the dark
Someone must be there, it's no fancy
And no lark
Footsteps trail my moves
I turn around and no one's there
Phantom hands that touch my back
A pungent smell is in the air
Black-eyed visitors talk to me at night
Revealing the truth
Sinister eyes
Deciphering the prophecy
Sinister eyes
Warning of catastrophe
Muddled hours are still lost, a weird
Module at my neck
Curious voice that talks to me
Piercing eyes that hit my back
A dream crawls through my sleep
A small and grayskinned seer
He talks about the universe, I fell
I've known him for a hundred years
Black-eyed visitors talk to me at night
Revealing the truth
Sinister eyes
Deciphering the prophecy
Sinister eyes
Warning of catastrophe
You wonder why there's no contact
The man of science twists the truth
Politicians telling lies, these
Criminals have to lose
2000 years of blood and death, no
Money will ever change the fate
Army, church and government, can't
You fell their scornful hate?
Black-eyed visitors talk to me at night
Revealing the truth
Sinister eyes
Deciphering the prophecy
Sinister eyes
Warning of catastrophe
05 Fistful of Dynamite (04:06)
Heedless they make their pile
Freeloading monkeys on our back
Bad to the bone and spineless
A dirty, lying, riotous pack
Ostrich policy, wrong way
Don't fall asleep or you'll have to pay
Draconian penalty, right way
Ready to explode
Like a fistful of dynamite, my fuse is burning fast
Like a fistful of dynamite, a bomb heading for your ass
Like a fistful of dynamite, my fuse is running short
Like a fistful of dynamite, don't push to far or we will be your court
They brain us of our lifeblood
But we are dredging up the truth
Staunch as a steely dreadnought
So they'll never stir up our truth
Ostrich policy, wrong way
Don't fall asleep or you'll have to pay
Draconian penalty, right way
Ready to explode
Like a fistful of dynamite, my fuse is burning fast
Like a fistful of dynamite, a bomb heading for your ass
Like a fistful of dynamite, my fuse is running short
Like a fistful of dynamite, don't push to far or we will be your court
Don't push too far, we're fed up with your tricks,
Yes, fear our law, you will get your deserved kicks
[Solo]
Ostrich policy, wrong way
Don't fall asleep or you'll have to pay
Draconian penalty, right way
Ready to explode
Like a fistful of dynamite, my fuse is burning fast
Like a fistful of dynamite, a bomb heading for your ass
Like a fistful of dynamite, my fuse is running short
Like a fistful of dynamite, don't push to far or we will be your court
06 Roaring Thunder (05:56)
You rule the world, but we don't care
You don't impress, whatever you dare
We hate your vileness, enough of your lies
Flame to our anger, you'll pay the price
Your fate is sealed without a doubt
Verdict guilty, no way out
Trick or treat is what they play
The hand of doom will have its way
Roaring thunder, the hearts of man, your five-star meal
Roaring thunder, you wrecked the car, so hands of the wheel
You pollute the world, with your snakelike tongue
We'll never give up, until you're gone
You squeeze us out, you rape the earth
Your recklessness, there's nothing worse
Your fate is sealed without a doubt
Verdict guilty, no way out
Trick or treat is what they play
The hand of doom will have its way
Roaring thunder, the hearts of man, your five-star meal
Roaring thunder, you wrecked the car, so hands of the wheel
Predaciousness, to fill up your lair
We know the truth, tho' you're not aware
A darkened power grabs your throat
No time for mercy, 'cause you've sunk the boat
Your fate is sealed without a doubt
Verdict guilty, no way out
Trick or treat is what they play
The hand of doom will have its way
Roaring thunder, the hearts of man, your five-star meal
Roaring thunder, you wrecked the car, so hands of the wheel
Roaring thunder, lightning strikes when the youth stands tight
Roaring thunder, fist up high show no respite
08 Lead or Gold (05:07)
Riding the tempests of glory
The vessel is gliding along
Pounding the waves, majestically
Proudly and strong
A flag flutters on the horizon
The plunder ready-to-hand
The gunners are ready to fire
Awaiting command
Pounding the sea, like a storm
Wild and free
Obeying our call, fast and raw
The air sparks thunder and lightning
Their bellies are shivered with fear
We showered their cold hearted souls
With sarcastic sneer
Our cohorts are for seizing
The skull and the crossbones fly high
We're talking over your vessel
Whatever you try
Pounding the sea, like a storm
Wild and free
Obeying our call, fast and raw
Lead or gold, we're daring our fate
On the wings of the sea
Lead or gold, cursing all the
Conformists who'll never be free
Guns spitting iron and fire
Acid smoke clouding the air
Ripping the planks
Feeding the flame of despair
Hoisting the flag of surrender
Delivering their silver and gold
A generous gift to the poor
For the brothers they sold
Pounding the sea, like a storm
Wild and free
Obeying our call, fast and raw
Lead or gold, we're daring our fate
On the wings of the sea
Lead or gold, cursing all the
Conformists who'll never be free
10 Jennings' Revenge (04:18)
1714 that was the year The Spanish fleet ran out of luck The weather was stormy The sea was lashing, furious Lightning and thunderstruck Three hundred men Fighting hand in hand Abandonment or raid Tons of 'pieces of eight' The 'Flotilla' was driven Down to the reefs The wooden hulls of the vessels Were cracked 300 000 'pieces of eight' The fleet of that year Was totally wrecked Three hundred men Fighting hand in hand Abandonment or raid Tons of 'pieces of eight' The viceroy commanded To furnish a squad 60 soldiers to dreg up the plate Fool all their salvage To a small camp ashore Lack of suspicion No thought of a raid Jennings came up With a hazardous plan The Spanish garrison Was taken by guise Three sailing vessels Three hundred men 300 000 their glittering prize Three hundred men Fighting hand in hand Abandonment or raid Tons of 'pieces of eight' Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh The Spanish plate hauled off by raid Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Jennings' trick a painful kick During their escape They happened to spy A gorgeous Spanish merchant ship 'In for a penny, in for a pound' They got them in their steely grip And several thousand 'Pieces of eight' To fill their ships up to the deck Jennings' fleet sailed out to sea No one ever found his track Three hundred men Fighting hand in hand Abandonment or raid Tons of 'pieces of eight' Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh The Spanish plate hauled off by raid Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Jennings' trick a painful kick Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Impudent tries will win the prize Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh No soldier pack will find his track
11 Treasure Island (11:14)
Squire Trelawny and Dr. Livesay having asked me, Jim Hawkins,
to tell everybody the whole tale about the 'Island',
Flint's treasure and Mr. Silver.
Keeping nothing back but its position and that only,
because the major part of the treasure has not been lifted yet.
I personally think we would never have begun this adventure
and set course with the 'Hispaniola', if we had known
what would happen and that some of us would never return,
having lost their lives. Sometimes the whole story haunts dreams
and brings me the worst nightmares I ever had.
That's when I hear the cries of the fallen,
the waves pounding the rocks on the coast and Captain Flint's
raw voice screaming: 'Pieces of eight! Pieces of eight! Hahahah!'.
And I tell you, no oxen and wain ropes will ever take me
back to 'Treasure Island'!!!
Mr. Bones is fighting 'Black Dog'
He want to split him to the chine
'Blind Pew' the bringer of the spot
Horse-hooves trampling his spine
We have the map to start our trip
The 'Squire' has the ship and the sailors
'Long John' is the man with the grip
No one knows he will raid us
The yell of the slain
The waves on the rocks
Captain Flint's raising hell
He's calling my name
To drive me insane
Treasure Island
Where the brave fell
A one-legged devil
From the pit of hell
A greedy demon on his treasury
Cursed the island, oh, eternally
'Long John' is spreading his law
Hatching a death bringing plot
I show up in a council of war
What I heard in the barrel from this toad
The yell of the slain
The waves on the rocks
Captain Flint's raising hell
He's calling my name
To drive me insane
But I'll never return to
Treasure Island
Where the brave fell
A one-legged devil
From the pit of hell
A greedy demon on his treasury
Cursed the island, oh, eternally
We see the land, shining sand
But it can be our grave
I jump the boat, overload
Trying to be too brave
Burning sun, find 'Ben Gunn'
Assassins claim the ship
I cut the rope, I try to cope
To free it from 'Hand's' grip
Bulling row, cannon law
The jolly-boats last trip
Killing tried, stockade fight
'Silver's' villains quit
Abandonment, to 'Silver's' hand
A cunning pack is made
Trick or treat, make scoundrels
Bleed, their dullness will be paid
I stumble to the stockade
The sweat drips form my brow
No one keeps a lockout, oh no!
The rabble owns it now
'Silver' tries to shield me
The 'Black spot' comes again
He throws the map onto the ground
He plays a tricky game
Pickaxe, rope and shovel
The dead-man marks the way
No chest, no gold, no silver
2 guineas is their pay
Musket cracks like thunder
The blood is running red
'Ben Gunn' kept the treasure
From beginning to end
When we put back to the sea
'Silver's' chains are doubly tight
'Long John' and his counterfeit key
Sidle away through the night
The yell of the slain
The waves on the rocks
Captain Flint's raising hell
He's calling my name
To drive me insane
But I'll never return to
Treasure Island
Where the brave fell
A one-legged devil
From the pit of hell
A greedy demon on his treasury
Cursed the island, oh, eternally
Treasure Island
Where the brave fell
A one-legged devil
From the pit of hell
A greedy demon on his treasury
Cursed the island, oh, eternally
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