Not to be confused with Halestorm

Alestorm is a multi-national pirate metal band originally from Perth, Scotland.[4] Their music is characterised by a pirate theme, and as a result they have been dubbed a "pirate metal" band[5][6] by many critics and their fanbase.

After signing to Napalm Records in 2007, their debut album Captain Morgan's Revenge, was released on 25 January 2008.[7] 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.[8] Their fifth and latest album No Grave But the Sea was released on 26 May 2017.

Biography [ edit ]

Origins (2004–2007) [ edit ]

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,[9] which were received well by the local metal community.[10] The band began to perform live in 2006, with a lineup consisting of Bowes (vocals and keytar), Harper (guitar), Dani Evans (bass guitar) 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 [ edit ]

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.[11]

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,[12] reaching the #1 position in the UK Rock Chart.[13]

Dani Evans retired from the band in April 2015,[14] and was replaced by Hungarian guitarist Máté Bodor of the band Wisdom, who is also a part of Leander Kills.

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.

Tours [ edit ]

Musical style [ edit ]

Alestorm – Keelhauled A clip from Keelhauled illustrates Alestorm's style of play. Problems playing this file? See media help.

Alestorm play a combination of styles of metal. They are generally classified as power metal and folk metal. The band refer to themselves as "Pirate Metal" 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 Cartegena") to the band's sound.[16]

Band members [ edit ]

Current members Christopher Bowes – lead vocals, keytar (2004–present)

Gareth Murdock – bass, backing vocals (2008–present)

Peter Alcorn – drums (2010–present)

Elliot Vernon – keyboards, unclean vocals (2011–present)

Máté Bodor – guitars, backing vocals (2015–present) Former members Gavin Harper – guitars (2004–2008)

Dani Evans – bass (2006–2008) , guitars (2008–2015)

, guitars Doug Swierczek – drums (2006)

Ian Wilson – drums (2007–2008, 2008–2010)

Alex Tabisz – drums (2008)

Tim Shaw – guitars (2008)

Alestorm, Line-Up at Rockharz 2018

Frontman Christopher Bowes

Bassist Gareth Murdock

Keyboardist Elliot Vernon

Guitarist Máté Bodor

Timeline

Discography [ edit ]

Studio albums 5 Live albums 1 Music videos 5 EPs 4

Studio albums [ edit ]

EPs and singles [ edit ]

Year Details 2006 Battleheart[9] Release: 2006

Label: Self-released

Formats: Download Terror on the High Seas[23] Release: 2007

Label: Self-released

Formats: Download 2009 Leviathan[24] Release: 27 January 2009

Label: Napalm

Formats: CD, download 2013 In the Navy (The Village People cover) [25] 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 [ edit ]

Year Details 2013 Live at the End of the World[26] Release: 18 November 2013

Label: Napalm Records

Formats: DVD, CD, download

Music videos [ edit ]

Year Song Album Director Type Link 2009 "Nancy the Tavern Wench" Captain Morgan's Revenge Unknown Live performance [27] "Captain Morgan's Revenge" Unknown Lyric [28] "Keelhauled" Black Sails at Midnight Silvan Büge Performance [29] 2011 "Shipwrecked" Back Through Time Ivan Colic[30] [31] 2012 "Death Throes of the Terrorsquid" Narrative [32] 2013 "In the Navy" (The Village People cover) In the Navy EP Tommy Jones Tour footage [33] 2014 "Drink" Sunset on the Golden Age Oliver Sommer Narrative [34] "Hangover" (Taio Cruz cover) Unknown Lyric [35] 2015 "Magnetic North" Ivan Colic Narrative [36] 2017 "Alestorm" No Grave But The Sea Ivan Colic Narrative [37] "Mexico" Ivan Colic Narrative [38] "Fucked With An Anchor" Elliot Vernon Studio footage [39]