Call them folk metal, call them pirate metal, call them whatever you wish. But whatever you do, do NOT call them alcoholics! They'll finish the rum in their hands and then proceed to make you WALK THE PLANK!!!!
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you.... Alestorm (NOT to be confused with "Halestorm" :p)
Founded in 2004 in Perth, Scotland, Alestorm were originally known as Battleheart. Under the name Battleheart, they released two demos, then were discovered by Napalm Records (a label infamous for signing mainly folk metal and symphonic metal bands). Napalm liked their style and, in 2007, chose to sign them, and they changed their name to Alestorm at the request of the label, to which they promptly agreed. It was history from that point on.
Much of their music falls into categories such as folk metal, power metal, speed metal and even briefly falls into a little bit of black metal in the middle of one of their songs ("Death Throes of the Terrorsquid", from their third album, "Back Through Time").... but as their official website slogan boasts, they are simply "Bacon Powered Pirate Core"! Regardless, their unique use of keyboards to achieve a symphonic background to their fast-paced metal and a keytar, played by the lead singer, Christopher Bowes, to achieve the accordion sound you hear in almost all of their music, easily qualifies them as not only pirate metal, but folk metal as well. And what a way to start my new Steemit series, "Folk Metal A-Z"!
As you can very well imagine, the nature of their lyrics fall into a niche of piracy and plunder, but each song is so intricately different that it doesn't even matter that they sing all about pirates and their exploits and adventures! While the theme is the same, each set of lyrics to accompany music Blackbeard himself would love tells a different story. So they remain consistent, while at the same time, keep things quite interesting and keep the listener "shanghaied"! And with the gruff yet melodic vocals from Bowes, you have a recipe for quality music fit for a pirate captain.
They have even dabbled in the mainstream music market as well, as a means to broaden their fanbase. But they do it in their own way, which leaves a lot of freedom to be creative. In 2008, when they debuted with "Captain Morgan's Revenge", they decided to end the album with their own take on the song "Flower of Scotland" (The Corries cover), paying homage to their homeland. In 2013, they released a limited vinyl release featuring a cover of the classic Village People song, "In the Navy". The song is also available for digital download, and can no doubt be found on YouTube if you wish to hear it. And finally, in 2014, on their most recent album, "Sunset on the Golden Age", they cover the Taio Cruz song "Hangover" (which in my opinion, came out WAY better than the original! But that's just me. :p).
And now, without further ado, please feel free to take a listen to the songs I have taken the liberty of posting below, so that you may take a wild and perilous journey into the pirate metal awesomeness that is Alestorm! Enjoy, and stay metal. \m/
"Keelhauled", from their second album, "Black Sails at Midnight" (2009)
"Shipwrecked", from their third album, "Back Through Time" (2011)
"Death Throes of the Terrorsquid" feat. Ken Sorceron of the black metal band Abigail Williams, from their third album, "Back Through Time" (2011)
"Drink", from their fourth album, "Sunset on the Golden Age" (2014)
Avast, ye land lovers!!!! This be the end of the post!!!!
Now hoist thine sails and carry on, lest ye be doomed and forced to walk the plank!!!!
P.S.: Have you yet to see the post that started this Folk Metal journey? Here's the link!
Introduction to Folk Metal
/@damiancraymond/folk-metal-and-why-it-s-the-perfect-gateway-drug-to-metal-music