in a trilogy of albums dealing with a specific theme. The album would go on to be one of Running Wild's worst selling albums up to that point. The second album followed with the 1998 album The Rivalry under their new label GUN Records with the conclusion of the trilogy culminating with 2000's Victory. It would be the final album featuring drummer Jörg Michael. With so many line-up changes, Running Wild was considered a solo project due to the fact that guitarist and main songwriter Rolf Kasparek remained the sole constant member of the band. The album The Brotherhood was released in 2002. It was to be another three years before Running Wild released another album Rogues en Vogue in 2005. The Final Jolly Roger, hiatus and reunion On 17 April 2009, Rolf Kasparek announced the disbandment of Running Wild. The band performed their final show at Wacken Open Air on 30 July 2009, which would be recorded for a future DVD release. The resulting effort The Final Jolly Roger was released on 24 June 2011 on CD and DVD format. In May 2011, Kasparek explained that he did not want the band to return due to other desires of his own. A biography, titled Death and Glory: The Story of a Heavy Metal Legend, was announced in June 2011 that was tentatively scheduled for release in 2013 or 2014, but no more information was given since then. In October 2011, Running Wild reformed and announced that they would record a new album titled Shadowmaker, which was released on 20 April 2012 via SPV/Steamhammer. In November 2012, Kasparek and guitarist Peter Jordan formed a side project called Giant X, releasing an album titled I in January 2013. The next album Resilient was released on 4 October 2013. The band made their return appearance at the 2015 edition of Wacken and included a brand new song from an upcoming album. The sixteenth album Rapid Foray was released on 26 August 2016. On 6 December 2019, an EP titled Crossing the Blades was released as an early hint for a new album. Running Wild's seventeenth album Blood on Blood was released on 29 October 2021. Their song "Diamonds and Pearls" was elected by Loudwire as the 31st best metal song of 2021. Members Current Rolf Kasparek – vocals, guitars (1976–2009, 2011–present) Peter Jordan – guitars (2004–2009, 2011–present) Ole Hempelmann – bass (2015–present)