Released 10 years ago
Rapid Foray
Running Wild · 2016
58 min · 11 tracks · heavy metal
Epic power metal anthems collide with heavy riffs and soaring melodies, creating a vibrant and dynamic listening experience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Black Skies, Red Flag — This opening track sets a powerful tone with its aggressive riffs and anthemic chorus, showcasing the band's signature style while addressing themes of conflict.
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Stick to Your Guns — With its driving rhythm and motivational lyrics about perseverance, this track embodies the spirit of determination that resonates throughout the album.
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Last of the Mohicans — At over eleven minutes long, this epic piece stands out for its narrative depth and intricate composition, reflecting the band's storytelling prowess.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends classic heavy metal with modern influences, showcasing strong craftsmanship but limited long-term appeal.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets a high energy level, which is maintained through the first half before slowing down in the latter tracks.
- Several songs feature dual guitar harmonies that create a rich texture, particularly evident in 'Black Bart' and 'Blood Moon Rising'.
- The lyrics often focus on historical and mythical themes, enhancing the epic feel of the music.
- The final track, 'Last of the Mohicans', serves as an extended outro, featuring orchestral elements that contrast with the heavier instrumentation of earlier songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing for focused listening
- anthemic melodies for sing-alongs
- consistent journey with climactic moments
- vibrant rhythms for energizing sessions
Maybe skip if you
- prefer quick, standalone tracks
- avoid lengthy, cohesive experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on August 26, 2016, Rapid Foray is Running Wild's first studio album in nearly a decade, following the 2005 release of Rogues en Vogue. This album marks a significant return for the band as they sought to reclaim their classic sound while also exploring new musical territories. The band's lineup had changed over the years, and this release showcased their resilience and commitment to their craft.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Blind Guardian· Helloween· Gamma Ray
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Blood Moon Rising
The bridge introduces a shift in perspective that highlights the consequences of war through vivid imagery, deepening the song's emotional impact.
This moment marks a tonal shift that underscores the gravity of the lyrics, demonstrating how the writing elevates the thematic weight of conflict.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Black Skies, Red Flag 4:44
- 2 Warmongers 4:29
- 3 Stick to Your Guns 5:08
- 4 Rapid Foray 4:47
- 5 By the Blood in Your Heart 5:27
- 6 The Depth of the Sea (Nautilus) 3:53
- 7 Black Bart 5:06
- 8 Hellectrified 4:22
- 9 Blood Moon Rising 4:20
- 10 Into the West 4:34
- 11 Last of the Mohicans 11:11
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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