Alestorm
Biography
Originally known as Battleheart, Alestorm, the purveyors of the relatively unexplored musical territory known as "pirate metal," formed in their original (pre-nautical) phase in 2004. As Battleheart, the group was initially a duo formed by Gavin Harper (guitar) and Christopher Bowes (vocals and keyboards), and recorded its first EP (a self-titled affair) in 2006. Over the course of the next year, feeling the need to bring their sound to the people of Scotland, Battleheart expanded to a four-piece with the addition of bassist Dani Evans and drummer Doug Swierczek. The new crew recorded another EP soon after, entitled Terror on the High Seas, and the buzz helped land a song from the release on Metal Hammer magazine's Battle Metal V compilation. Later that year, in 2007, the bandmembers -- after signing with Napalm Records -- decided to change their name to further the cause of their unique brand of metal, settling on Alestorm. Eventually, the lineup settled a bit more, with Ian Wilson bringing stability to the drummer position, and Alestorm released their debut album, Captain Morgan's Revenge, in early 2008. The band toured the United States later that year with fellow folk-metal giants Týr and Heidevolk before releasing its second full-length, Black Sails at Midnight, in spring 2009. ~ Chris True, All Music Guide
Selected Discography
It is hilarious, Fangril!
@Walter: That almost covers it, but Yoho did you one better. @Yoho: LOL!!!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! 010100101010 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 . LAWLS!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! |
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pretty sweet stuff, but I still find pirate metal to be hilarious! XD
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Despite these guys doing pretty much everything I hate in music, they somehow manage it in a way that I can't help but like. I don't even know why, but I like them.
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My only complaint is that all of their songs sound exactly the same. Not unlike ska, it's one of those things that you listen to for a good time, not as a serious critical listen.
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@Walter: Probably because you left out 'while wearing an eyepatch and talking like a pirate' from your hypothetical scenario, ha ha! They are definitely in the "so ridiculous it's looped back and become completely awesome" category.
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Beyond self parody. Absolutely hilarious. Alestorm cannot be explained, only experienced. It's like listening to Iron Maiden and a classic drinking song at the same time. . . No, that isn't quite sufficient.
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I MUST buy this CD! These guys are epic!!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
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PIRATE METAL!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! LOL.
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Black Sales At Midnight!! I hate that I don't have Captain Morgan's Revenge and they have a new album out!
AARRRRRR---g o t ta get me some of that rum-drinking music!! |
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Better with every song I listen to. Pandora should get Black Sails @ Midnight.
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There's a little bit of singing, but he is primarily monotone. Fits the theme, but my folk metal station plays a bit too much Alestorm, and not enough Turisas.
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i dont just mean clean vocals, i consider the lead singer of cannibal corpse and similar bands to "sing", i guess i just mean he's mostly monotone
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When you say the singer doesn't sing much, I assume you are referring to "singing" as clean vocals. I've come to love all kinds of vocal styles however, especially "talks like a pirate" vocals!
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pretty good band, "black sails at midnight" is a kickass song, but the singer doesnt seem to sing much, mostly just talks like a pirate
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My friend got me into Alestorm since I love pirates (Long before Pirates of the Carribean). I listened to them and absolutely loved them! "Keelhaul" is possibly one of the best songs I've heard in a very long time!
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I was rather amused and intrigued when this showed up on my station - combining pirates and metal is certainly a novel concept that I can't believe nobody thought of before. Thumbs up it gets!
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It just does not get any better than this. Bagpipe metal comes close- may even reach the same level- but pirate metal is simply brilliant.
I am so amazed that I cannot even bring my grammar up to proper pirate par. |
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Hmmm, nice! Okay, they get the thumbs-up!
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Tiny ... play us a dirge, matey.
Daaaaa dan da daaaaa, daan da dan dan dan dan daaaaaaa |
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I got to see them in concern several times, I have been keeping tabs on this band from back when they would ask for rides to gigs....whic h they did on several occasions. They rock, and nothing is more defining of a person than their favorite band.
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"Joke band." "Hilarious." What ye be talkin' about. Damn yer eyes, the lot o' ya! These scurvy lads be the baddest thing since Captain Morgan himself. Don't resist. I stongly suggest ye all call for quarters before Alestorm steals yer wenches, pilfers yer rum (gasp), and burns yer ship seeing you to Davy Jones!
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Duly noted. I had not heard of Running Wild before, but heard some of their tunes. Some have been reworked.
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Alestorm is blazing a new trail in metal, one of a kind. The closest comparison would be battle metal (Turisas, Dragonforce, Rhapsody of Fire, Manowar, etc). Captain Morgan's Revenge is a must have!
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I've never heard of pirate metal before, I probably should have, very unique.
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