Embark on a voyage into the heart of pirate metal with Running Wild's epic anthem, "Riding the Storm."
The Song
"Riding the Storm" is a quintessential track by the German heavy metal band Running Wild, released on November 8, 1989. It is featured on their fifth studio album, Death or Glory. The song embodies the band's signature "pirate metal" style, characterized by its powerful riffs, driving rhythms, and lyrical themes of seafaring adventures. Written by frontman Rolf Kasparek, the track quickly became a fan favorite and a staple of their live performances.
The Artist
Running Wild is a German heavy metal band formed in Hamburg in 1976. Led by the consistent presence of vocalist and guitarist Rolf "Rock 'n' Rolf" Kasparek, the band is widely credited with pioneering the "pirate metal" subgenre. This thematic shift, from earlier satanic imagery to tales of pirates, naval battles, and historical events, began with their 1987 album Under Jolly Roger. Over their extensive career, Running Wild has released 17 studio albums, solidifying their legacy in the heavy metal landscape.
Chart Performance
While "Riding the Storm" itself did not have individual chart performance data available, the album it hails from, Death or Glory, achieved significant critical recognition. The album was ranked number 285 in Rock Hard magazine's "The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time". Furthermore, Metal Hammer magazine placed Death or Glory at number 17 on their list of "The 25 Best Power Metal Albums of All Time," underscoring its enduring quality and influence within the genre.
Cultural Impact
"Riding the Storm" has become one of Running Wild's most recognized and beloved songs, frequently appearing in their live sets and often cited by fans as an entry point to the band's discography. The album Death or Glory is considered by many as the pinnacle of the band's "pirate spirit," further cementing their identity and influence on the burgeoning pirate metal scene. Running Wild's consistent dedication to their unique thematic approach has left an indelible mark on heavy metal, inspiring countless bands within the power and speed metal genres.
Fun Facts
- Running Wild initially formed in 1976 as Granite Heart before changing their name in 1979, taking inspiration from a Judas Priest song of the same title.
- The band's early lyrical themes revolved around Satanism and occult imagery, a direction they famously abandoned with their third album, Under Jolly Roger, in favor of their iconic pirate themes, reportedly influenced by Roman Polanski's film Pirates.
- Death or Glory marked the final album for both guitarist Majk Moti and drummer Ian Finlay with the band.
- A live video for "Riding the Storm" was filmed in Düsseldorf, attracting a massive audience of nearly 9,000 attendees.
- Beyond pirates, Rolf Kasparek extensively researched various historical topics for the band's lyrics, including the Wars of the Roses, the Battle of Waterloo, and the colonization of the New World by the Conquistadors.