''Gates to Purgatory'' is the debut studio album by German heavy metal band Running Wild, released in 1984. It predates their piracy themes and has mostly satanically-influenced lyrics but also features songs with

anarchic Anarchy is a society without a government. It may also refer to a society or group of people that entirely rejects a set hierarchy. ''Anarchy'' was first used in English in 1539, meaning "an absence of government". Pierre-Joseph Proudhon adopted ...

and

libertarian Libertarianism (from french: libertaire, "libertarian"; from la, libertas, "freedom") is a political philosophy that upholds liberty as a core value. Libertarians seek to maximize autonomy and political freedom, and minimize the state's e ...

(in the sense of European libertarianism) themes. It was in part of Gerald "Preacher" Warnecke's studies in

theology Theology is the systematic study of the nature of the divine and, more broadly, of religious belief. It is taught as an academic discipline, typically in universities and seminaries. It occupies itself with the unique content of analyzing the ...

. He left the band soon after the album's release to become a

vicar A vicar (; Latin: ''vicarius'') is a representative, deputy or substitute; anyone acting "in the person of" or agent for a superior (compare "vicarious" in the sense of "at second hand"). Linguistically, ''vicar'' is cognate with the English pref ...

. The album has sold over 235,000 copies worldwide. The album was reissued in 2012 by Lemon Records, as well as in 2017 by

Noise Records Noise Records is a German heavy metal record label founded in 1983 by German music industry personality Karl-Ulrich Walterbach as an expansion of his company Modern Music Records. It was sold to the Sanctuary Records Group in 2001 and ceased any ...

Track listing

All tracks written by Rolf Kasparek except where noted * The bonus track "Walpurgis Night" cuts off very close to the end due to the condition of the master tape on most releases * The 1991 Japanese release contains the 1985 album ''

Branded and Exiled ''Branded and Exiled'' is the second studio album by German Heavy metal music, heavy metal band Running Wild (band), Running Wild, released in 1985. Track listing All music and lyrics written by Rolf Kasparek except where noted Note * S ...

Personnel

*Rolf Kasparek – guitar, vocals *Gerald "Preacher" Warnecke – guitar *Stephan Boriss – bass *Wolfgang "Hasche" Hagemann – drums ;Production * Running Wild – producer, artwork * Horst Müller – producer, recording * D. Magnussen – photography

Cover versions

*The

sludge metal Sludge metal (also known as sludge or sludge doom) is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music that originated through combining elements of doom metal and hardcore punk. It is typically harsh and abrasive, often featuring shouted vocals, heavi ...

band

Kingdom of Sorrow Kingdom of Sorrow is an American sludge metal band that features Kirk Windstein of Crowbar and Down, along with Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed. History Kingdom of Sorrow was founded when Hatebreed frontman Jamey Jasta introduced himself to Do ...

did a cover of the song "Soldiers of Hell" in their album ''

Behind the Blackest Tears ''Behind the Blackest Tears'' is the second studio album by Kingdom of Sorrow, a group featuring Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed and Kirk Windstein of Crowbar and Down. The album was released by Relapse Records. Track listing Special edition b ...

''.

References

1984 debut albums Running Wild (band) albums Noise Records albums {{1980s-metal-album-stub