"Störtebeker" by Running Wild: A Tribute to the Legendary Pirate*

 

Running Wild, pioneers of pirate metal, have built a career weaving historical and nautical themes into their music. Among their many offerings, the song "Störtebeker," featured on the 1989 EP «Wild Animal», is a standout. This track draws inspiration from the legendary German pirate Klaus Störtebeker, a figure whose name still echoes through maritime folklore.

Who Was Klaus Störtebeker?

Klaus Störtebeker was a notorious pirate in the late 14th century, a time when Europe’s seas were rife with piracy. He led a band of privateers known as the Victual Brothers, who initially fought on behalf of the city of Stockholm during a conflict with Denmark. After the war ended, they turned to piracy full-time, becoming feared marauders of the Baltic and North Sea. Störtebeker’s legend is colored by tales of his audacity and resistance to authority, making him a figure of defiance.

One of the most captivating stories associated with him is his supposed execution in 1401, where it was said that after being beheaded, he walked past several of his crew before finally collapsing—a testament to his strength and unyielding spirit.

The Song: Capturing the Pirate Spirit

Running Wild's "Störtebeker" is more than just a heavy metal song—it’s a tribute to one of history's most notorious pirates. The band, known for incorporating historical themes into their music, paints a vivid picture of Klaus Störtebeker's exploits. With pounding riffs, energetic drumming, and frontman Rolf Kasparek’s commanding vocals, the song encapsulates the rebellious essence of the pirate.

Lyrically, "Störtebeker" delves into the pirate's life of adventure, rebellion, and eventual downfall. The tone is fierce and unrelenting, much like Störtebeker himself. Running Wild doesn’t romanticize the life of a pirate but instead highlights the harsh realities and ultimate fate that awaited many who took to the seas in defiance of the law.

The Legacy of "Störtebeker" in Metal

While Running Wild are credited with pioneering the pirate metal subgenre, "Störtebeker" stands as one of their early works that solidified this direction. The song’s narrative approach and energetic composition not only pay homage to Störtebeker but also serve as a bridge between traditional heavy metal and the thematic storytelling that would come to define the band’s later works.

In a broader sense, the track contributed to the establishment of pirate themes in metal, paving the way for bands like Alestorm and Swashbuckle, who would later expand on the genre. Running Wild's dedication to historical accuracy, combined with their metal edge, set the standard for how historical figures like Störtebeker could be immortalized in music.

Conclusion

Running Wild’s "Störtebeker" is a powerful musical tribute to one of history’s most infamous pirates. With its blend of fierce heavy metal instrumentation and historical storytelling, the song remains a defining moment in the band’s career and a hallmark of their unique pirate-themed metal. For fans of both history and metal, "Störtebeker" offers a thrilling auditory voyage into the life of a pirate who defied the odds and continues to capture the imagination centuries later.

Νικόλαος Παραστατίδης