Gates to Purgatory

Template:Use dmy dates {{safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst-infobox||$params=italic_title,name,type,longtype,artist,cover,border,alt,caption,released,recorded,venue,studio,genre,length,language,label,director,producer,compiler,chronology,prev_title,prev_year,year,next_title,next_year,misc|$extra=italic_title,longtype,border,caption,language,director,compiler,chronology,year,misc|$aliases=italic title>italic_title,Italic title>italic_title,Name>name,Type>type,image>cover,Cover>cover,Border>border,Alt>alt,Caption>caption,Longtype>longtype,Artist>artist,Released>released,Recorded>recorded,Venue>venue,Studio>studio,Genre>genre,Length>length,Language>language,Label>label,Director>director,Producer>producer,Compiler>compiler,Chronology>chronology,Misc>misc|$flags=override|$B={{#ifeq:{{#invoke:Is infobox in lead|main|[Ii]nfobox [Aa]lbum}}|true|{{#if:Template:Has short description | |Template:Short description|noreplace}}}}{{#invoke:Infobox|infobox}}Template:Template otherTemplate:Category handlerTemplate:Main other{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:Infobox album with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|ignoreblank=y|italic_title |type |name |image |cover |border |alt |caption |longtype |artist |released |recorded |venue |studio |genre |length |language |label |director |producer |compiler |prev_title|prev_year|next_title|next_year|chronology|year|misc}}{{#if:{{#invoke:String|match|error_category=Music infoboxes with Module:String errors|A|1=Branded and Exiled1985studioGates to Purgatory1984-Gates To Purgatory.jpgRunning WildOctober 1984June 1984Caet Studio, Berlin<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Speed metal, heavy metal33:41Noise (Germany)
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Gates to Purgatory is the debut studio album by German heavy metal band Running Wild, released in 1984. Predating their pirate themes, the album features mostly satanically-influenced lyrics, alongside songs with anarchic and libertarian (in the sense of European libertarianism) themes. The lyrical content was partly influenced by Gerald "Preacher" Warnecke's studies in theology. He left the band shortly after the album's release to become a vicar.

Despite not being actively promoted, the album achieved sales success, selling over 20,000 copies within the first three months, and influenced several other bands worldwide.<ref name="metalde" />

It was reissued in 2012 by Lemon Records and in 2017 by Noise Records.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Rolf Kasparek except where noted.

• The bonus track "Walpurgis Night" cuts off near the end on most releases due to the condition of the master tape.
• The 1991 Japanese release contains the 1985 album Branded and Exiled.

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 band Kingdom of Sorrow covered the song "Soldiers of Hell" on their album Behind the Blackest Tears.

References

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