Running Wild is a German heavy metal band from Hamburg, established in 1976. As one of Germany's influential "big four" metal acts—alongside Grave Digger, Helloween, and Rage—Running Wild was pivotal in the rise of the heavy, power, and speed metal scene of the 1980s. Originally known for dark and Satanic themes, the band shifted in 1987 to a unique focus on pirates and historical events with their landmark album Under Jolly Roger. This change helped pioneer the pirate metal subgenre, inspiring many later bands. Over the years, their lyrics evolved from adventurous tales to deeply researched historical narratives, exploring topics such as the Wars of the Roses and the colonization of the New World. After briefly disbanding in 2009, Running Wild reunited in 2012 and continues to perform and record, most recently releasing their seventeenth studio album, Blood on Blood.