The Final Jolly Roger
Running Wild · 2011
93 min · 17 tracks · heavy metal
A rousing blend of galloping rhythms and anthemic choruses that captures the spirit of high-seas adventure and heavy metal fervor.
Top tracks — play these first
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Port Royal — This track sets the tone for the album with its vivid storytelling about pirate life and energetic instrumentation, showcasing the band's classic sound.
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Battle of Waterloo — An epic narrative piece that weaves historical themes into its lyrics, this song encapsulates the band's flair for grandiosity and dramatic storytelling.
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Raise Your Fist — This anthem acts as a rallying cry for fans, blending powerful melodies with motivational lyrics that resonate deeply within the heavy metal community.
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Under Jolly Roger — The title track revisits the band’s iconic themes while offering a modern twist; it serves as a nostalgic yet fresh reminder of their influence on power metal.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid heavy metal craftsmanship with thematic consistency but lacks standout compositions.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a brief instrumental intro that sets a nautical theme before launching into the first full track, which features galloping rhythms and layered guitar harmonies.
- Many tracks incorporate anthemic choruses that invite listener participation, particularly in songs like 'Raise Your Fist' and 'Battle of Waterloo'.
- The record maintains a consistent tempo throughout, with only a few slower moments, such as 'Prisoner of Our Time', which provides a contrast to the otherwise high-energy tracks.
- Several tracks feature extended guitar solos and dual guitar interplay, typical of heavy metal but executed with a distinct pirate-themed flair.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- high-energy pirate-themed narratives
- dynamic progression with peaks
- wave-like pacing for engagement
- invigorating anthems to sing along
- for adventurous road trips
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, contemplative music
- seek short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2011, The Final Jolly Roger marked Running Wild's return after a six-year hiatus, following their previous album, Rogues en Vogue. This album is significant as it represents both a continuation of their pirate-themed aesthetic and a reaffirmation of their status in the power metal scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Blind Guardian· Helloween· Gamma Ray
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Intro 1:45
- 2 Port Royal 4:42
- 3 Bad to the Bone 5:46
- 4 Riding the Storm 5:16
- 5 Soulless 6:23
- 6 Prisoner of Our Time 5:26
- 7 Black Hand Inn 5:26
- 8 Purgatory 5:41
- 9 Battle of Waterloo 8:27
- 10 Der Kaltverformer 3:28
- 11 Raging Fire 4:07
- 12 Whirlwind 5:45
- 13 Tortuga Bay 4:09
- 14 Branded & Exiled 8:03
- 15 Raise Your Fist 7:07
- 16 Conquistadores 6:04
- 17 Under Jolly Roger 5:51
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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