Whipped into madness

MEDIA FEEDBACK:

10 / 10
"I love the song composition of RUNNING DEATH ... a textual strong album, as well powerful in the musical structures, which is not for people who want to go just the straight way."
(Reaperzine)

5 / 5
"Overall, “DressAge” is sure to please any fan of Thrash Metal. People who enjoy any of the Big 4, Testament, Exodus, Sodom, Sepultura, Battlecross, etc. will find endless enjoyment from this album. The guitar work is intricate, the groove on bass and drums will have your head bopping and the choruses will have you singing along."
(Heavy Metal Television)

9,3 / 10
"RUNNING DEATH is here to stay, and 'DressAge' is more than enough proof that the group's Thrash Metal is more than welcome."
(Metal Samsara)

9 / 10
"... one of the strongest and freshest Thrash Metal albums ... the band writes soulful Thrash Metal and can even do really good melody songwriting ..."
(Heavy Metal.de)

4 / 5
"… a major effort … and that this at times makes me think of Metallica’s debut album 'Kill Em All' is a major bonus point."
(Battle Helm)

4 / 5
"'DressAge 'is an album that needs space to unfold, and time. For the very hard, it is certainly too soft, too melodic, too loving and thoughtful. The hardness does not come from a battered bass and hammered drums, but is in the song lyrics, which you have to pay attention to, because they are simply terrific."
(Stage Reptiles)

8,5 / 10
"RUNNING DEATH have just done everything right here and score especially with good songwriting ..."
(Crossfire Metal)

8,5 / 10
"… a very nice album. If you are a fan of Megadeth, Annihilator and Metallica, then this will definitely be a breeze for you."
(Amped Up)

8,5 / 10
(Burning Sun)

4,5 / 6
"'DressAge' is well-produced and the instruments are fine. Especially the guitars are well in the mix. The band plays well and Simon's vocal fits well with the genre. He has an appropriate raw and aggressive voice … if you're into traditional thrash metal and Megadeth is one of your absolute favorite bands, you can check out these Germans."
(Calles Rock Corner)

8,2 / 10
"… equally cool, powerful and melodic … overwhelming songwriting, a touch of European Speed Power and European Thrash Metal, between Testament And Forbidden … great melodic work … with the great singer Simon Bihlmayer who, in addition to playing the six strings, has a voice recalling young Chuck Billy. 'Dressage' is Metal with the capital M, it has everything to break into the hearts of not only Thrashers but anyone who loves classic Metal cutting."
(In Your Eyes)

80 / 100
"Far from the systematics of their colleagues who shamelessly plunder the national or international patrimony, the Germans play the Heavy diversity and crossover card, and finally impose their difference with an undeniable vigor."
(Metalnews.fr)

80 / 100
"… a beautiful record, not only worthy of being heard … should bring these guys to much higher levels of the underground … a word on all I would say 'class', class and taste for a very personal reinterpretation of Thrash Metal."
(Insane Voices Labirynth)

80 / 100
"… unfasten your eyes from the big-jugged bird on the cover and give RUNNING DEATH's 'DressAge' a whirl!"
(Metal Archives)

8 / 10
"Sick, twisted semi-technical Thrash Metal is the order of the day - with the added benefit of melodic hooks throughout especially on the musical side of the spectrum."
(Dead Rhetoric)

8 / 10
"… well-developed and coherent songs … 'DressAge' sets exactly where they had stopped after 'Overdrive'; and just leaves almost the entire competition in the Thrash Metal area on the left."
(Franconia Metallum)

8 / 10
"For a band from Germany a real exceptional release ..."
(Stahlseele)

8 / 10
"This album is a whirlwind of circle pit inducing, headbang inciting Classic Thrash Metal."
(Metal Utopia)

8 / 10
"Are there any fans of ANNIHILATOR in the house? I guess there are. If there is an influence that was easy to spot on "DressAge" is of the Canadian Jeff Waters' melodic technicians. You can also throw in some of the early toughness of METALLICA, a little dose of playing abilities of MEGADETH and the never ending harmonic form of IRON MAIDEN. With such an impressive collection of icons surging through the brain, isn't it definite that there is something spectacular here at hand? … these guys are going to roll some heads. Prepare yourselves."
(Metal Temple)

8 / 10
"… very good …"
(World Of Metal)

8 / 10
"… an album full of character that inevitably reminds us of mythical bands of Thrash Metal spawned in the Bay Area, however the Germans have managed to keep their identity above fashions or styles knowing how to compose a catchy album … highly recommended …"
(Satan Arise)

8 / 10
"… can be compared in the way they build their compositions mainly with MEGADETH and secondarily with OVERKILL, too. 'Dressage' is an album worked in every detail; it has catchy melodies, very interesting riffs and is technical as hell. It is the kind of album that every time you listen to it you will discover new things and it will grow stronger in you."
(Behind The Veil)

12 / 15
"... this is not just beaten - the riffs are playful and the melodies are thoughtful ... some songs, like the great opener 'Courageous Minds', remind of good ol' 'Kill' Em All' times, as if Dave Mustaine would have more tinkering on the songs ... a very cool album that one likes to listen to. This band belongs to booking at tasteful (underground) festivals and should be touring the clubs - they definitely deserve a big audience!"
(Legacy)

7,5 / 10
"„DressAge“ ist im Bezug auf Songwriting ein erheblicher Fortschritt zu „Overdrive“. Technisch ist man auf Augenhöhe mit etablierten Acts und der Trend etwas weg vom reinen Thrash steht RUNNING DEATH gut."
(Rockcastle Franken)

7,5 / 10
"At times old school, at times modern, sometimes more direct, more melodic … take a good run, start listening to 'DressAge' and mark the name RUNNING DEATH. We will hear it again!"
(Metal Italia)

7,5 / 10
"The trio from Kaufbeuren is racing on his second album expertly between Power Metal and Thrash."
(Rock Hard)

73 / 100
"… incisive in content and offers a diverse and extremely technical structural model; a good buy …"
(Metalwave.it)

3,5 / 5 - recommendable
"… the riffs, which always jump the listener directly in the face out of nowhere and catch with their melodies, speak for the album."
(DeepGround)

3,5 / 5
"'DressAge' is a loaded and varied disc … where speed and melody go hand in hand … the potential of RUNNING DEATH is very high … these youngsters will be able to shake the foundation of the 'New European Metallic Order' from top to bottom."
(Loud And Proud)

70 / 100
"… an honest and well-structured record, seasoned with elements that will hardly displease the old melodic Thrash Metal lovers …"
(Antonio Moliterni)

7 / 10
"… the kind of compositions, the emotionality of riffs and solos speak for themselves … an enjoyable album."
(Metalbrothers.es)

7 / 10
" … they make clear that the safety rules are not worth anything and that this world needs voices from the underground that remind us, loudly, that we do not agree with how the world works and to report the abuse we endure day after day; that drive away the fear and encourage the arrival of new heroes … this German quartet has achieved a very good job, with a constant rhythm and blunt lyrics that make you want to dig deeper, even beyond the surface … an album that I loved listening and sharing."
(Eternally Rocking)

3 / 5
"… anchored to that typical 'American Thrash High Tech School', like Heathen, Forbidden & Co. …"
(All Around Metal)

"With a hot sound that takes it cues from classic Megadeth and all of the greats of the German Thrash Metal scene, "DressAge" now joins that ever-expanding list and makes me proud of RUNNING DEATH's evolution! This is (throw some horns in the air) Thrash Metal with the kind of slick arrangements that put radio rock stars to shame."
(Heavy Metal Time Machine)

"'DressAge' is Thrash with sufficiently strong ties to its roots … RUNNING DEATH do a fine job proving you don’t have to completely change to grow as a band. Their biggest strength is still in their connection to the early and mid 80s."
(Dave Wolff - Autoeroticasphyxium Zine)

"What we’ve seen so far makes us expect nothing less than a Thrash Metal sensation."
(Discovering Unknown Bands)

"… mix between north-American Speed Thrash with a touch of German Hard Rock/Metal … RUNNING DEATH leave no doubt regarding their technical proficiency … and the ability to compose. Picking up classical sonorities they’ve managed to combine them in a very balanced and harmonic way, so in weight as in melody, that way imprinting a personal touch that distinguishes them positively in the scene."
(Metal Em Portugal)

"The album wears a grin on its creative face from its first breath and carries a mischief which gives its tracks a real feel of aggressive fun."
(The Ringmaster Review)

"… just a brilliant 45 minutes of extreme solid Metal."
(Antichrist)

"… if we think RUNNING DEATH as Thrash Metal band inspired on Metallica and Megadeth’s steps to the stardom, I mean the final 1980s years and the beginning of the 1990s … I guess that would fit perfectly. “DressAge” is an effort that could easily rivalize them that time. Songs like “Safety Second” are so fantastically written and show a richness of colors and textures that are very hard to find."
(Metal Addicts)

"Not least in terms of sound quality, 'DressAge' does not have to hide behind any international production."
(Soundcheck)

"… we are deeply impressed by this nice old school Thrash Metal pearl, from a band that dares to explore other ways."
(Snooze Control)

"While scooping a little progressive element, the feeling of the 80s era reminds of Megadeth, Metallica and the maddening of twisted guitar harmonies by Annihilator's Jeff Waters …"
(Heavy Metal Spread)

"The riffing of the guitars is still the hammer!"
(Heavy Metal Heaven)

"'DressAge' is a more melodic affair, the delivery now often clinging towards the Power Metal arena, and speedy briskers like 'Delusive Silence' and 'Heroes Of The Hour' are more than welcome with their dynamic riffage since for most of the time the listener will come across soft friendly rhythms with no relations to Thrash."
(The Thrash Metal Guide)

"RUNNING DEATH … can score with handmade Thrash Metal. The similarity with big Metal acts such as Megadeth is not to be denied, nevertheless the quartet has completely its own path."
(Backstage PRO)

"Everything is quite unique and interesting … music is being built around riffs, impressive vocals are tightly there … this band should be more noticed."
(The Frayed Ends Of Sanity)

"It has been a long time since I have heard such Thrash Metal which is so nicely played … I really like the sound, ideas and the whole sparkling atmosphere. "DressAge" is an album full of energy, literally … with high octane number! Excellent!"
(Deadly Storm)

"Guitars and songs assembled in the work contain the DNA of the forerunners of the genre Mekong Delta and Destruction, and squeeze the eye to the thrashers of the West Coast of the 80s like Defiance. The riffs keep the listener glued to the stereo speakers, and reveal a band that is extremely capable of moving in all the major cliches of the genre and scene. Really great confirmation. Highly recommended."
(Tempiduri)

"Each song has an intriguing intro, which is replaced after a few seconds by dripping bass and other equipment. The riff storm is followed by the rather gentle voice of singer Simon, who does not sound dull or boring but deeply sinks in spite of or perhaps just because of the pleasant softness and the melodious bonds. A fat disc, which guarantees not only headbanging, but goes in the whole in the full. Class made, guys, please more of this - much more!"
(Bad Black Unicorn)

"… shockingly catchy … I appreciate the work RUNNING DEATH has done in creating a fantastic album."
(Laws Listens)

"… its very hard to stay calm without moving your head at all while listening to this album … absolutely recommended!"
(Sangwitok)

"Respect! It pops from the first to the last second in animal manner forward, but also leaves enough room for all sorts of variety. Hammer solos, detailed songs, sometimes a vocal effect …"
(BlattTurbo)

"RUNNING DEATH belong to the big stage. Fed up guitars, clear lyrics and a good shot of melody characterize this band. 'Dressage' is an absolute insider tip for all heavy fans."
(Mindbreed)

"Really standing out … an album to not be missed really. Like how the vocalist and band themselves work together is what has this album flow so fluidly. Everything playing off one another, just goes so hand in hand, it makes the album more listen to worthy. If you truly need your time to be delayed or passer bye, then RUNNING DEATH's 'DressAge', is the solid release for you. Truly one act you will have to follow-up on time and time again for sure."
(Natalie's World)

"... 'DressAge' can be put to the shred-heart of any New Wave Of German Thrash Metal lover without a guilty conscience."
(Metal Hammer)

"… intersection of middle Megadeth and Annihilator ... incredibly safe ... fantastic riffs ... leads en mass ... songs in catchy and comprehensible tracks ... balancing act between quiet passages and harder parts fluidly ... suggestions: 'Courageous Minds', 'Heroes Of The Hour', 'Safety Second' and the fantastic instrumental 'Anthem Of Madness'. Very cool album!"
(Totentanz)

"The band clearly possesses some qualities … Thrash markedly speed-heavy … Simon Bihlmayer, a little Mustaine, a little Lemmy and Blaze Bayley … tracks as "Courageous Minds", "Delusive Silence", "Duty Of Beauty", the instrumental "Anthem Of Madness" and "Refuse To Kill" are very engaging and contain a good download of adrenaline as well as of melody …"
(Aristocrazia)

Band:	RUNNING DEATH
Base:	Kaufbeuren • Germany
Genre:	Thrash Metal
Title:	DressAge
Format:	Album
Label:	Punishment 18
Release:	May 26th, 2017

With their 2015 debut album "Overdrive" they triggered a positive as well as far-reaching surprise-effect as a vertical starter, which attracted a multitude of worldwide fans.

Countless reviews attested the band around guitarist and singer Simon Bihlmayer with their 'dancing from the row' material, a very own, upscale class. Encouraged by this, the songwriting became even more hungry, but also more settled and determined.

And now RUNNING DEATH are back with a new work: "DressAge" titled, the second longplayer presents the crisp rocking THRASH METAL of the Bavarians in so far unheard freshness and dynamics!

Official release date for "DressAge" is May 26th, 2017.

Whoever, as a new listener wants to get a route for orientation in advance - many sorts of references to Megadeth lead in the correct direction. For friends of such stylistics, it should be difficult in any case to resist ultra-melodic and discreetly progressive rhythm-grenades like "Heroes Of The Hour".

Similar to the aforementioned US giants, RUNNING DEATH also let all classic, grippy Rock elements flow in homogeneously manner into their partly hit-suspicious staged Thrash alarm.

Even on the textual level, there is deliberately thought-through content. Often written with a pinched eye, the quartet's punctual lyrics are definitely the most readable in the genre.

With tracks like "Duty Of Beauty" for example, RUNNING DEATH humorously relate to the ever-dehumanizing fashion madness of today.

The natural, striking singing of frontman Simon, who already caused lively discussions with the successful debut-disk, breaks out of the ten new songs even more individual and uncompromising.

Even in the balladesque passages, the guitarist, as a convinced 100 % guy, simply inverts his innermost outwards with full emotion, instead of following the standards of the metier.

The detailed front cover for "DressAge" was created by the Mexican graphic artist Joel Sánchez Rosales, which was the perfect match for the lyrical relationship to the delicious dressage theme of the title song.

(Markus Eck)

In this sense:
Save your breath for RUNNING DEATH … & get ready for DEADY!

•

TRACKS:
01. Courageous Minds 03.50
02. Dressage 04.33
03. Delusive Silence 03.25
04. Heroes Of The Hour 05.08
05. Duty Of Beauty 04.47
06. Numbers 05.24
07. Beneath The Surface 04.37
08. Anthem Of Madness (Instrumental) 04.26
09. Safety Second 05.34
10. Refuse To Kill 04.12

total: 45.55 min.

•

LINE-UP:
Simon Bihlmayer • Guitar, Vocals
Daniel Baar • Guitar
Andrej Ramich • Bass
Jakob Weikmann • Drums

•

DISCOGRAPHY:
2010 Raging Nightmare (EP)
2012 The Call Of Extinction (EP)
2015 Overdrive (Full-length)
2017 DressAge (Full-length)

RUNNING DEATH • Contact:
mail@runningdeath.com