Rum Runners

Avast! After an 8 year hiatus, the Rum Runners make a triumphant return to the Melbourne metal scene! With fresh crew-mates aboard, the Rum Runners bring fresh, catchy and complex shanties to form their own unique brand of Epic Folk Metal. With a new EP and debut music video, the Rum Runners explode back onto the scene! So grab a drink and get ready to bang your head once again!

(the return)
The long awaited return of the Rum Runners struck like a bolt of lightning for original members Captain Saltyhands (Jack Sullivan), Captain Goonbag (Mark Roath), and Captain Whack (Jack Karavas). 8 years older and wiser, the Rum Runners are back together and digging up the gold of the past to finally deliver the epic journey!

(our sound)
The Rum Runners’ sound has evolved over many years, with melodies and riffs pulling inspiration from bands such as Ensiferum, Amon Amarth, Iron Maiden, and Dimmu Borgir. With musical stylings ranging from Folk, Thrash, Classical, Power, Progressive and Black metal, the Runners produce a truly unique sound. This amalgamation of musical inspirations have served to birth riffs and melodies which both catch the ear and entice the creative mind. Fans will have the unrivaled experience of listening to a musical journey spanning 10 years of experience and development.

(the stage)
The Rum Runners are hard to ignore up on stage. Donned with lace and leather, this Crew of 5 Captains brings new meaning to Pirate Metal, and are even known to inspire from the crowd the mighty JIG PIT. New vocalist Captain Rawpipes (JH Russ) commands attention with his blistering black-metal growl and surprising power metal highs. New guitarist Captain Rustypaws (Cara Dornin) captures the essence of folk metal as she tears through the fantastical riffage of the Rum Runners. Stage shenanigans, chanting crowd participation and musical prowess serve as the backbone of a Rum Runners performance.

(new EP)
Inevitably, this jolly bunch of ragtag ruffians are releasing their second EP! With new members comes an evolution of sound and this is most definitely demonstrated in this three-track epic journey. ‘In Siren’s Wake’, ‘The Glory is Mine’ and ‘Hull of your Mind’ carve a path through the waves of rhythmically dynamic melody and brutal thematic exploration. This Rum Runners EP serves to showcase the musical prowess inspired by a decade at sea, and with their epic folk inspired sound, the Rum Runners sail towards rejuvenating the Folk-Metal subculture in Australia.

(future of the band)
The Rum Runners are forging their way forward with performative flare, musical creativity and strong ambition to make up for lost time. As their triumphant return holds strong, creativity will flow with aspirations of a hard-hitting album release in 2026. The influence of their new members will push the boundaries of the Rum Runners both musically and conceptually. The Rum Runners venture to conquer the seven seas and deliver riffage of harmonising melodies, other-worldly shreddery, and on-stage buffoonery like no other!

Keep a weather eye out for the Rum Runners!