Although their earlier releases contained Satanic themes and imagery, from the third album on, the band's primary subject matter centered around pirates, sailing and other historical events. In 1987, the band released the album Under Jolly Roger, which was a switch to pirate-based and historical themes, creating and influencing the later named pirate metal subgenre of heavy metal in the 2000s in the process. While the historical lyrics were very superficial at first, the lyrics for later albums were intensively researched, by frontman Rolf Kasparek in particular.
After this album, from 1988 to 1992 (for the albums Port Royal, Death or Glory, Blazon Stone and Pile of Skulls), Running Wild mainly wrote historically based lyrics. In addition to lyrics about pirates, the band also addressed subjects like the Wars of the Roses, the Battle of Waterloo, or the colonization of the New World by the Conquistadors.
In April 2009, Kasparek announced that Running Wild had split up. Their intended last show was at Wacken Open Air in July that year. It was recorded for CD and DVD release and appeared as The Final Jolly Roger in 2011. The split would prove temporary as they reunited in 2012. Running Wild played live for the Wacken Open Air festival in 2015. As of 2021, the band have released 17 studio albums, with their most recent being Blood on Blood.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_Wild_(band)
Studio albums
Gates to Purgatory (1984)
Branded and Exiled (1985)
Under Jolly Roger (1987)
Port Royal (1988)
Death or Glory (1989)
Blazon Stone (1991)
Pile of Skulls (1992)
Black Hand Inn (1994)
Masquerade (1995)
The Rivalry (1998)
Victory (2000)
The Brotherhood (2002)
Rogues en Vogue (2005)
Shadowmaker (2012)
Resilient (2013)
Rapid Foray (2016)
Blood on Blood (2021)
Live albums
Ready for Boarding (1988)
Death or Glory Tour – Live (1989)
Live (2002)
The Final Jolly Roger (2011)
Compilation albums
The First Years of Piracy (1991)
The Story of Jolly Roger (1998)
The Legendary Tales (2002)
20 Years in History (2003)
Best of Adrian (2006)
Black Demons on Stage (2010)
Greatest Hits (2011)
Riding the Storm: Very Best of the Noise Years 1983-1995 (2016)
Singles and EPs
"Victim of States Power" (1984)
"Bad to the Bone" (1989)
"Wild Animal" (1990)
"Little Big Horn" (1991)
"Lead or Gold" (1992)
"The Privateer" (1994)
"The Rivalry" (1998)
"Revolution" (2000)
"Crossing the Blades" (2019)
Mordor
Running Wild Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Black fortress stands might and proud
The shelter for the traced and tortured
For the one who's damned
A dragon is watching for fortress
Black knights are controlling the land
To save their proteges from torment
Rancour, against all raiders
Beware, if you're renegade's hunter
Watch out in slough's haze
Vigilance, 'cause death waits
Recourse, to the traced
Be calm, they'll give you shelter
Restless, they fight for freedom
Never, they don't let you fall
Mordor
A shoal of the knights of torture
Are hunting a witch to the dell
Sullen shades are raiding their squad
Church's minions fell
A black knight leads through the mire
And in mordor she finds a new life
A life without pain and torment
No murder, no lies
Rancour, against all raiders
Beware, if you're renegade's hunter
Watch out in slough's haze
Vigilance, 'cause death waits
Recourse, to the traced
Be calm, they'll give you shelter
Restless, they fight for freedom
Never, they don't let you fall
Mordor
The song "Mordor" by Running Wild is a dark and powerful piece about a fortress at the heart of an empire of darkness. The lyrics paint a picture of a place where the traced and tortured find shelter and safety, and where black knights control the land to defend their proteges from torment. It is a place where death waits in the slough's haze, and where the restless fight for freedom.
Throughout the song, there is an underlying theme of rancour and vigilance against those who would harm the traced, with warnings to beware if you are a renegade's hunter. However, there is also a sense of hope and recourse for the traced, with the promise of shelter and protection from those who fight tirelessly for their freedom. The dark imagery and haunting melody of the song combine to create a powerful and moving piece that is full of emotion and meaning.
Overall, "Mordor" is a beautifully crafted song that is rich with imagery and symbolism. It explores themes of darkness, hope, protection, and freedom, and is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever felt trapped or persecuted in any way.
Line by Line Meaning
In the centre of the empire of darkness
The black fortress stands in the heart of a world consumed by evil.
Black fortress stands might and proud
The fortress exudes strength and confidence amidst the surrounding darkness.
The shelter for the traced and tortured
The fortress is a sanctuary for those who have been pursued and inflicted with pain.
For the one who's damned
Those who have been condemned to a life of suffering will find solace here.
A dragon is watching for fortress
A fierce dragon keeps watch over the fortress.
Black knights are controlling the land
The Realm is ruled by powerful knights who maintain control over the surrounding lands.
To save their proteges from torment
The knights will fight relentlessly to protect the innocent from the pain and cruelty of their oppressors.
They fight to defend
The knights battle with valor and determination to safeguard their people.
Rancour, against all raiders
The knights hold a deep-seated anger for all who seek to harm their people.
Beware, if you're renegade's hunter
Those who seek to harm or pursue the innocent will be met with fierce opposition.
Watch out in slough's haze
Be cautious in the dark, murky swamps surrounding the fortress.
Vigilance, 'cause death waits
Stay alert and watchful, as danger is ever-present and death can strike unexpectedly.
Recourse, to the traced
Those who have been pursued and tormented can find refuge within the walls of the fortress.
Be calm, they'll give you shelter
Rest assured that you will find safety and peace within the fortress walls.
Restless, they fight for freedom
The knights never cease fighting for the freedom of their people.
Never, they don't let you fall
You will never be abandoned or allowed to fail, as the knights will stand by your side always.
Mordor
The name of the fortress which serves as a beacon of hope in the midst of darkness and despair.
A shoal of the knights of torture
A group of cruel knights who oppress the innocent and promote torture and pain.
Are hunting a witch to the dell
The cruel knights are searching for a witch, likely to inflict harm and pain upon her.
Sullen shades are raiding their squad
The oppressive knights are being attacked by an unknown group of shadowy figures.
Church's minions fell
The cruel knights have been defeated by the shadowy group, likely connected to the church.
A black knight leads through the mire
A formidable knight leads a group of oppressed individuals through treacherous, swampy lands.
And in mordor she finds a new life
The witch finds refuge and freedom within the walls of Mordor.
A life without pain and torment
The witch finds peace and relief from the suffering she experienced at the hands of the oppressive knights.
No murder, no lies
There is no more death or falsehood in this new life she has found within Mordor.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: ROLF KASPAREK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
StarViking 66
My favorite band from the 80s. Mordor and Black Demon my two favorite tracks. One of a kind sound!
ALEXANDRE TEIXEIRA BENJAMIN
One of the best songs of all career! This track rules!
juan99997
Uno de tantos temazos de esta grandisima banda!
thestrum71
Classic metal music there. Bought the vinyl when it came out, which back then wasn't that easy to begin with. Glad I was around when this was actually happening....
Airton Marcelo Costa
Os 2 primeiros álbuns são verdadeiros clássicos, que saudade!!!!!
vanderley augusto
Eis aqui uma obra-prima do heavy metal ESTRAGADA pelo maldito fade-out a partir de 4:20,miseravelmente durante um solo maravilhoso.Quem produziu essa musica deve ter sido um grande sacana.
Andres Cerquera
Great song, makes me get over all bad feelings and thoughts, becoming into a warrior else.
Rodrigo DE SOUZA SILVA
Ouvir isto com 13 anos em um lugar atrasado é foda, aliás foi foda. Fui um moleque louco da porra
henkiis
love old running wild. that solo @ 3:30 amazing!!!
Виталий Сосновский
Мне сейчас 50. Слушая это молодею лет на 30...