Pile of Skulls is a metal album by Running Wild

Running Wild (band)

Running Wild is a German heavy metal band, formed in 1976 in Hamburg. They were part of the German heavy/speed/power metal scene to emerge in the early to mid 1980s. The band has carved its niche in the metal world as the first "pirate metal" band, a theme which took off with the release of Under...

 released in 1992. It was the first album almost completely dominated by songwriting from band leader Rolf Kasparek but remains a fan favourite.
The album has sold over 350,000 records worldwide.

The song "Jennings' Revenge" tells about the exploits of privateer Henry Jennings

Henry Jennings

Henry Jennings was an 18th century British privateer who served primarily during the War of Spanish Succession and later served as leader of the pirate haven of New Providence....

.

The lyrics of "Treasure Island

Treasure Island

Treasure Island is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, narrating a tale of "pirates and buried gold". First published as a book on May 23, 1883, it was originally serialized in the children's magazine Young Folks between 1881–82 under the title Treasure Island; or, the...

" are based on the book of the same title, by 19th century author Robert Louis Stevenson

Robert Louis Stevenson

Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....

.

Reception

Pile of Skulls was met with mostly positive reviews from critics. Steve Huey of All Music

All Music

All Music was an Italian free-to-air television station which mainly broadcast music videos and music programs. Originally called Rete A, the name was changed to Rete A - All Music , and for a brief period was affiliated before with MTV Italy and after with VIVA.-History:In late 2004 the former...

 Guide called it one of Running Wild's strongest efforts. While calling it too ambitious he thought Pile of Skulls combines the group's trademark pirate subject matter with a unifying concept about corruption and abuse of power through history.

Track listing

1. "Chamber of Lies" – 2:21
2. "Whirlwind" – 4:51
3. "Sinister Eyes" – 5:05
4. "Black Wings of Death" – 5:17
5. "Fistful of Dynamite" – 4:05
6. "Roaring Thunder" – 5:56
7. "Pile of Skulls" – 4:39
8. "Lead or Gold" – 5:06
9. "White Buffalo" – 5:16
10. "Jennings'
    Henry Jennings
    Henry Jennings was an 18th century British privateer who served primarily during the War of Spanish Succession and later served as leader of the pirate haven of New Providence....
    
     Revenge" – 4:17
11. "Treasure Island
    Treasure Island
    Treasure Island is an adventure novel by Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, narrating a tale of "pirates and buried gold". First published as a book on May 23, 1883, it was originally serialized in the children's magazine Young Folks between 1881–82 under the title Treasure Island; or, the...
    
    " – 11:14
12. "Beggars' Night" (Rerecording from Under Jolly Roger
    Under Jolly Roger
    Under Jolly Roger is the third album by Running Wild and established their pirate theme, even if only one track on this album is about the topic. The title track is one of their best known songs and a live favourite...
    
    ) (Bonus) – 4:57
13. "Hanged, Drawn and Quartered" (Bonus) – 4:39
14. "Win or Be Drowned" (Bonus)– 4:17
15. "Uaschitschun '92" (Rerecording from Port Royal
    Port Royal (album)
    Port Royal is an album by Running Wild. This release expanded on the pirate theme introduced on Under Jolly Roger and established them as "pirate metal" in the metal community.The album has sold nearly 1.8 million records worldwide....
    
    ) (Bonus) – 5:03

(1)-(6), (8)-(12), (15) : music & lyrics by Rolf Kasparek

(7) : music: Axel Morgan, lyrics: Axel Morgan/Rolf Kasparek

(13) : music: Axel Morgan, lyrics: Axel Morgan

(14) : music: Rolf Kasparek, lyrics: Rolf Kasparek & Thomas Smuszynski

Line-up

• Rolf Kasparek - Vocals, guitar
  
• Axel Morgan - Guitar
  
• Thomas Smuszynski - Bass
  
• Stefan Schwarzmann - Drums