Alestorm

Alestorm is a multi-national heavy metal band originally from Perth, Scotland.[1] Their music is characterised by a pirate theme, and as a result they have been dubbed a "pirate metal" band by many critics and their fanbase.[2][3]

Not to be confused with Halestorm.

Alestorm
Alestorm in 2018
Background information
Also known asBattleheart (2004–2007)
OriginPerth, Scotland
Genres
Years active2004–present
LabelsNapalm
Associated actsGloryhammer
Websitealestorm.net
Members
  • Christopher Bowes
  • Gareth Murdock
  • Peter Alcorn
  • Elliot Vernon
  • Máté Bodor
Past members
  • Gavin Harper
  • Dani Evans
  • Doug Swierczek
  • Ian Wilson
  • Alex Tabisz
  • Tim Shaw

After signing to Napalm Records in 2007, their debut album Captain Morgan's Revenge, was released on 25 January 2008.[4] Black Sails at Midnight, the band's second album, was released on 27 May 2009. The band's third album, Back Through Time, was released on 3 June 2011. The fourth album from the band, Sunset on the Golden Age, was released in August 2014.[5] Their fifth album No Grave But the Sea was released on 26 May 2017. Their sixth and latest album, Curse of the Crystal Coconut, was released on 29 May 2020.

History

Origins (2004–2007)

The band was founded in 2004 as Battleheart, a studio project by Christopher Bowes and Gavin Harper. Originally intended as a standard power metal band, the success of song "Heavy Metal Pirates" convinced the band to permanently adopt a pirate theme and incorporate folk metal elements into their music. Gavin and Christopher recorded & released two independent demos in 2006,[6] which were received well by the local metal community.[7] The band began to perform live in 2006, with a lineup consisting of Bowes (vocals and keytar), Harper (guitars), Dani Evans (bass) and Doug Swierczek (drums). Doug Swierczek eventually left the band later that year and was replaced by Ian Wilson. After a period of inactivity, in late 2007 Battleheart sent their demos to Napalm Records, and the band was promptly offered a record deal.

Alestorm (2007–present)

After being signed by Napalm Records, the band changed their name from Battleheart to Alestorm. Their debut album, Captain Morgan's Revenge, was released in early 2008.[8]

By September 2008, original guitarist Gavin Harper had left the band. Tim Shaw was Harper's replacement, but after a brief period of touring, was fired from the band. To fill the guitarist position, Dani Evans switched instruments from bass to guitar, and Gareth Murdock of Waylander joined as the replacement bassist. The band's 2nd album Black Sails at Midnight was released in May 2009. In March 2010, Ian Wilson left the band and was replaced with a new drummer named Peter Alcorn. Alestorm's third album, Back Through Time, was Alcorn's first appearance on an Alestorm album. In October 2011, Elliot Vernon joined the band as keyboard player and performing screamed / death metal vocals.

The band released their fourth record entitled "Sunset on the Golden Age" on 1 August 2014,[9] reaching the #1 position in the UK Rock Chart.[10]

Dani Evans retired from the band in April 2015,[11] and was replaced by Hungarian guitarist Máté Bodor of the band Wisdom, who is also a part of Leander Kills.

Alestorm in 2017

In October 2016, Christopher Bowes announced during a concert on the Super Smashed Turbo Tour that the band planned to begin recording a fifth studio album in January 2017. The fifth record, entitled "No Grave But the Sea", was released on 26 May 2017.[12][13]

On 8 January 2020, the band announced the title of their sixth studio album, "Curse of the Crystal Coconut". This was released on May 29th, 2020. Prior to its release, Alestorm released the singles "Treasure Chest Party Quest", "Tortuga" (feat. Captain Yarrface of Rumahoy) and "Fannybaws".

Musical style

Alestorm is generally classified as pirate metal,[6][14][15][16][17][13] folk metal,[15][18][13] power metal,[15][18][13] heavy metal,[19][20][21] and hard rock.[20][21][14] The band refer to themselves as "True Scottish Pirate Metal"[22] and are identifiable by the pirate-themed lyrics in their songs. Alestorm's music utilizes the upbeat epic style of power metal with many orchestrations commonly found in folk metal. Album recordings feature heavy use of real trumpets and trombones, whilst implementing accordion synths, fiddle and tin whistle to convey a pirate sea shanty feel. Alestorm uses factors of absurdity to bring a jocular feel to their music, incorporating irreverent lyrical themes while retaining a tenuous connection to pirates.

They have also been known to experiment with different metal genres, going from songs that are predominantly thrash metal ("Black Sails at Midnight") to a switch to a black metal sonority mid-song ("Death Throes of the Terrorsquid"). The band's later albums have begun to incorporate more screamed vocals by keyboard player Elliot Vernon, adding hints of metalcore ("Magnetic North") and death metal ("1741 – The Battle of Cartagena") to the band's sound.[23][14]

Band members
  • Alestorm, Line-Up at Rockharz 2018
  • Frontman Christopher Bowes
  • Bassist Gareth Murdock
  • Keyboardist Elliot Vernon
  • Guitarist Máté Bodor

Timeline

Discography
Alestorm discography
Studio albums6
Live albums1
Music videos11
EPs4

Studio albums
Year Details Charts
UK
 GER
[24]		 AUT
[25]		 US
Heat.		 US
Hard Rock		 US
Independent
2008 Captain Morgan's Revenge
  • Release: 25 January 2008
  • Label: Napalm
  • Formats: CD, LP, download
 - - - - - -
2009 Black Sails at Midnight
  • Release: 27 May 2009
  • Label: Napalm
  • Formats: CD, picture disc, download
 - 60[26] - 87[27] - -
2011 Back Through Time
  • Release: 3 June 2011
  • Label: Napalm
  • Formats: CD, Mediabook, LP, Download
 200[28] 42[29] - 23
[30]		 - -
2014 Sunset on the Golden Age
  • Release: 1 August 2014
  • Label: Napalm
  • Formats: CD, LP, download
 68 26 39 7
[30]		 20
[30]		 32
[30]
2017 No Grave But the Sea
  • Release: 26 May 2017
  • Label: Napalm
  • Formats: CD, Mediabook, LP, download
 50 14 15 1
[30]		 14
[30]		 5
[30]
2020 Curse of the Crystal Coconut
  • Release: 29 May 2020
  • Label: Napalm
  • Formats: CD, Mediabook, LP, Cassette, download
 68 12 15

EPs and singles
YearDetails
2006 Battleheart[6]
  • Release: 2006
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Download
Terror on the High Seas[31]
  • Release: 2007
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: Download
2009 Leviathan[32]
  • Release: 27 January 2009
  • Label: Napalm
  • Formats: CD, download
2013 In the Navy (The Village People cover)[33]
  • Release: 18 November 2013
  • Label: Napalm
  • Formats: Download, LP
2016 Skalstorm (split 7" single with Skalmold)
  • Release: 30 September 2016
  • Label: Napalm
  • Formats: Download, LP

Live albums
Year Details
2013 Live at the End of the World[34]
  • Release: 18 November 2013
  • Label: Napalm Records
  • Formats: DVD, CD, download

Music videos
YearSongAlbumDirectorTypeLink
2009"Nancy the Tavern Wench"Captain Morgan's RevengeUnknownLive performance[35]
"Keelhauled"Black Sails at MidnightSilvan BügePerformance[36]
2011"Shipwrecked"Back Through TimeIvan Colic[37][38]
2012"Death Throes of the Terrorsquid"Narrative[39]
2013"In the Navy" (The Village People cover)In the Navy EP Tommy JonesTour footage[40]
2014"Drink"Sunset on the Golden Age Oliver Sommer Narrative[41]
2015"Magnetic North"Ivan Colic[42]
2017"Alestorm"No Grave But The Sea[43]
"Mexico"[44]
"Fucked With An Anchor"Elliot VernonStudio footage[45]
2020Treasure Chest Party Quest"Curse of the Crystal CoconutIvan ColicNarrative[46]
"Tortuga" feat. Captain YarrfaceElliot Vernon[47]
"Fannybaws"Ivan Colic[48]
"Pirate Metal Drinking Crew"Elliot VernonStudio footage[49]

Tours
  • March 2008 – UK Tour supporting Turisas and Norther
  • October 2008 – "Ragnarok Aaskereia" European tour with Tyr, Hollenthon, Svartsot and Gwydion
  • February – March 2009 – "Pagan Knights" North American tour with Týr and Suidakra[50]
  • April – May 2009 – "Black Sails Over Europe" European tour supported by Tyr, Heidevolk and Adorned Brood
  • September 2009 – "Paganfest" European tour with Korpiklaani, Moonsorrow, Unleashed, Die Apokalyptischen Reiter, Einherjer, Ex Deo and Swashbuckle
  • November 2009 – "Heathenfest" North American tour Eluveitie, Belphegor, Vreid, and Kivimetsan Druidi
  • December 2009 - UK tour with Eden's Curse and The Rotted.
  • February – March 2010 – "Paganfest" European tour with Finntroll, Eluveitie, Dornenreich, Varg and Arkona
  • June 2010 – "Plunder Down Under" Australian Tour supported by Claim the Throne
  • August – December 2010 – "World War Tour" European Tour supporting Sabaton
  • May 2011 – "Back Through Time" Australian Tour supported by Voyager
  • August 2011 – "Pandemonium Over North America" North American tour supporting Kamelot
  • September – October 2011 – "Heidenfest" European tour with Turisas, Wintersun, Finntroll, Arkona, and Trollfest
  • February 2012 – "Useless Drunken Bastards" UK Tour supported by Claim the Throne and Darkest Era
  • April 2012 – "Paganfest" North American tour with Turisas and Arkona
  • September 2012 – "The Power Within" UK tour supporting DragonForce with the Defiled
  • October 2012 – "The North American Enigma" North American tour with Epica and Insomnium
  • January 2013 – "Live at the End of the World" Australia and New Zealand tour
  • November – December 2013 – North American tour supported by Trollfest and Gypsyhawk
  • September 2014 – "Storming Across Europe" European Tour supported by Brainstorm, Crimson Shadows and Troldhaugen
  • October 2014 – "Piratefest" UK tour supported by Lagerstein, Red Rum, and Rainbowdragoneyes
  • January 2015 – "Piratefest" North American tour supported by Swashbuckle and the Dread Crew of Oddwood
  • November 2015 – "Piratefest" Australia and New Zealand tour supported by Lagerstein and Troldhaugen
  • February – March 2016 – "Heroes on Tour" Europe and UK co-headlining tour with Sabaton
  • October 2016 – "Super Smashed Turbo Tour" North American tour supported by Nekrogoblikon and Æther Realm
  • June – August 2017 – Vans Warped Tour North American tour
  • September – October 2017 – "No Grave But the Sea" headline European tour supported by Æther Realm and Troldhaugen
  • February 2018 – "Piratefest 2018" UK and Ireland tour supported by Rumahoy and the Dread Crew Of Oddwood
  • August 2018 - Bloodstock Open Air Festival Saturday main stage
  • September 2018 - North American Tour supported by Gloryhammer
  • November - December 2018 - "Skälstorm European Tour" supported by Skálmöld
  • February 2019 - Australian Tour supported by Rumahoy

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 13 December 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "ALESTORM". MusicMight. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
  3. Bowar, Chad. "Alestorm – Captain Morgan's Revenge review". About.com. Archived from the original on 26 May 2010. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 10 February 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2008.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. "ALESTORM – Bacon Powered Pirate Core". alestorm.net.
  6. True, Chris. "Alestorm Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  7. "Battleheart – Terror on the High Seas". Metalreviews.com. 19 January 2007. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  8. "Napalm Records Online Store – Heavy Metal & Rock CDs, Vinyl, Merch Mailorder". Napalmrecords.com. Archived from the original on 9 May 2009. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  9. "ALESTORM – Bacon Powered Pirate Core". alestorm.net.
  10. "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40 | Official Charts Company". officialcharts.com. 10 August 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2018.
  11. "BREAKING NEWS: Guitarist Dani Evans Leaves Alestorm". Metaltalk.net. 19 April 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  12. "No Grave But the Sea - Alestorm". Blabbermouth.net. 5 June 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2018.
  13. "Alestorm - No Grave But The Sea album review". Metal Hammer. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  14. "Alestorm Essentials". Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  15. Sol (31 May 2017). "Album Review: ALESTORM No Grave But The Sea". Metal Injection. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  16. Hobson, Rich (3 August 2018). "How Alestorm quietly became one of the biggest metal bands in the UK". Metal Hammer. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  17. Rosenberg, Axl; Krovatin, Christopher (2017). Hellraisers: A Complete Visual History of Heavy Metal Mayhem. Race Point Publishing. p. 169. ISBN 978-1-631-06430-2.
  18. "Alestorm Releases 'Mexico' Video". Blabbermouth.net. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
  19. "Alestorm Captain Morgan's Revenge". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  20. "Alestorm – Heavy Metal Pirates!". Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  21. "These Are The Most Listened to Hard Rock/Metal Artists on Spotify In The Last Month". Retrieved 8 January 2020.
  22. "Alestorm". Encyclopaedia Metallum. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  23. "Alestorm – The making of Sunset On The Golden Age – Limited Edition Box Set (HD)". YouTube. 19 February 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  24. "Discographie von Alestorm". GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  25. "Discographie Alestorm". Austrian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  26. "Napalm Records : Chart Entries". Napalmrecords.com. Archived from the original on 8 April 2015. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  27. "ALESTORM Hits Billboard Heatseekers Chart". Bravewords.com. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  28. "CHART LOG UK Update 18.06.2011 : NEW ENTRIES UPDATE" (TXT). Zobbel.de. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  29. "Alestorm's 'Back Through Time' Lands On German Chart". BLABBERMOUTH.NET.
  30. "Alestorm". Billboard. Retrieved 24 January 2018.
  31. "Terror on the High Seas – Review". sputnikmusic.com. Grant Hunter. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  32. "Leviathan – EP on iTunes". iTunes. Alestorm. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  33. "In the Navy – Single". iTunes. Alestorm. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  34. "Live At the End of the World". iTunes. Alestorm. Retrieved 22 December 2013.
  35. "ALESTORM – Nancy The Tavern Wench [Live] (Official)". YouTube. 23 April 2009. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  36. "ALESTORM – Keelhauled (Official)". YouTube. 26 June 2009. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  37. "Alestorm Films 'Shipwrecked' Video". Blabbermouth.net. 22 April 2011. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  38. "ALESTORM – Shipwrecked | Napalm Records". YouTube. 20 May 2011. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  39. "The Death Throes Of The Terrorsquid Music Video".
  40. "ALESTORM – In The Navy (DVD Teaser) | Napalm Records". YouTube. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  41. "ALESTORM – Drink (Official Video) | Napalm Records". YouTube. 12 June 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  42. "ALESTORM – Magnetic North (Official Video) | Napalm Records". YouTube. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  43. "ALESTORM – Alestorm (Official Video) | Napalm Records". YouTube. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  44. "ALESTORM – Mexico (Official Video) | Napalm Records". YouTube. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  45. "ALESTORM – Fucked With An Anchor (Official Video) | Napalm Records". YouTube. 26 May 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  46. "ALESTORM - Treasure Chest Party Quest (Official Video) | Napalm Records". YouTube. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  47. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 6 May 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2020.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  48. "ALESTORM – Fannybaws (Official Video) | Napalm Records". YouTube. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  49. "ALESTORM - Pirate Metal Drinking Crew (Official Video) | Napalm Records". YouTube. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  50. "Alestorm's Concert Listing". Last.fm. 1 January 1970. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.