ALESTORM

Release Year: 2008
Artist Origin: SCO
Style: loud folk pirate heavy metal

the Scots have never been short of good spirit, and this has been proven on countless occasions: spontaneously conceived idea of pirate metal, initially influenced by Korpiklaani, Bal-Sagoth and Turisas, took its definitive shape in this thunderous debut full-length, with most of material written during the earlier incarnation as Battleheart, tried out on demo recordings - from the very first chords, listeners are plunged into a turbulent world of adventure, naval battles, treasure hunting and endless drinking sessions, where traditional power metal riffs, dynamic rhythms, grand keyboard melodies and instantly memorable choruses, occasionally bringing Skyclad to mind, blend with distinctive folk touches, seafaring songs and healthy dose of self-irony, while Christopher Bowes' vocals and unmistakable pirate image add further appeal, turning ten tunes into somewhat unexpected international breakthrough, helping energetic quartet secure a firm place in the metal scene, closing this feast with a reworked rendition of Scotland's unofficial national anthem, Flower of Scotland