ALESTORM

Release Year: 2017
Artist Origin: SCO
Style: loud folk pirate heavy metal

protagonist on the cover art, seemingly lifted straight from the Pirates of The Caribbean franchise, makes it clear that metal party animals have no intention of slowing down while riding ever-growing wave of success: recorded this time in the US, seafaring misfits set their sights firmly on conquering America, and they did so with considerable success, securing fifth place on Independent Albums chart, while their live popularity continues to soar, fueled by instantly memorable choruses and crowd-pleasing hooks, which Christopher Bowes openly acknowledges as an essential part of creative formula - after all, Alestorm are first and foremost a live band, making music for the audience, yet beneath the deliberately ridiculous lyrics and distinctive humour lies a finely polished blend of melodies, sing-along anthems, and infectious guitar work, while new guitarist Máté Bodor further enriches the sound with fresh ideas, dazzling solos, and renewed energy, ultimately blurring the boundaries between pirate metal, parody, and unrestrained frenzy of thousands-strong crowds; Austrian strictly limited gatefold sleeve black vinyl edition comes with a pro-printed lyric insert