Under Jolly Roger

Under Jolly Roger was originally released in 1987 as the third studio album by the German heavy metal band Running Wild. Produced during a period of transition, the record marked the group's definitive shift away from their earlier occult and satanic themes toward the pirate-themed imagery that would become their signature aesthetic. Rolf Kasparek, the band's frontman and primary songwriter, developed this concept to distinguish the band within the burgeoning German speed metal scene, effectively creating a thematic identity that resonated with fans of historical adventure.

The 2004 release represents a significant remastering effort by Noise Records, designed to restore the clarity of the original 1987 production, which was often criticized for its thin, low-budget sound. By updating the audio quality for the digital era, the label aimed to introduce Running Wild’s formative work to a new generation of power metal enthusiasts. While the album remains a cult favorite for its raw, unpolished energy, it is historically regarded as the essential blueprint for the 'pirate metal' subgenre that flourished in the decades that followed.