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Pirate metal

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Pirate metal
Stylistic origins
Cultural originsLate-1980s Germany, mid-2000s United Kingdom, United States
Typical instruments
Other topics

Pirate metal is a style of heavy metal music[1][2][3] characterized by its incorporation of pirate mythology within the music and sometimes in stage performances. Lyrics often use piratical jargon[1] and various musical genres, such as thrash metal,[4] speed metal,[1] and folk metal,[5] may be combined with traditional-sounding songs like sea shanties.[1] Folk instruments, such as the concertina, can be incorporated or emulated with synthesizers.[6] Band members often dress up in period costume during performances, and concert attendees may do so as well.[7] Pirate metal is sometimes referred to by the media as a music scene.[7]

History

[edit]
Christopher Bowes and Dani Evans of Alestorm
Commodore Redrum of Swashbuckle
Running Wild
The Dread Crew of Oddwood

Origins and early history

[edit]

The earliest example of pirate metal most likely appeared when Australian heavy metal band Black Jack released their 1979 and 1983 demos, and their later 1985 vinyl EP, Five Pieces O' Eight. Their pirate themes, lyrics, stage shows and imagery were a precursor to later, more mainstream pirate metal. Black Jack's stage show featured costumes, sets, props and mock hangings. Additionally, on their 1984 album, Walpurgis Night, German band Stormwitch included a song titled "Skull and Crossbones."

Pirate metal was more widely established and popularized by German heavy metal band Running Wild.[8] They released their third album, Under Jolly Roger in 1987,[1] and according to Rolf Kasparek, lead singer and guitarist for the band, the album's pirate theme was not planned.[9][10] Instead, it grew from the album's title song.[11] Eventually, the album's artwork was changed to match the title, and set decorations and costumes for future concerts were designed. The piratical lyrics also became a way to convey the band's political message, since their use of the devil as a symbolic figure was being misunderstood on their first album Gates to Purgatory.[10][12] Kasparek began reading about pirates and, after finding "everything very interesting",[10] he incorporated the motifs into their music. The subject matter was expanded during rehearsals[11] for the fourth release, Port Royal, and their trademark style was solidified.[10]

Although Kasparek was more interested in the true histories of the Golden Age of Piracy,[11] pirate metal would eventually be inspired, to a greater extent, by the inaccuracies as invented[12] or portrayed in novels and Hollywood films.[1]

Another band that adopted a pirate motif before the official coining of “Pirate Metal” is Detritus from the UK. They were founded in 1989. Their music combines thrash metal, Christian metal and pirate motifs[13] They continue to release music, with their most recent album coming out in 2020.[14]

Visions of Atlantis, an Austrian symphonic metal band, was founded in 2000.[15] Their original concept was focused around the mythical lost city of Atlantis and adventuring on the sea in general, but their more recent work is directly about pirates.[16] In 2019 the symphonic power metal band Visions of Atlantis released the album Wanderers, which touched on some nautical and piratical themes. With the release of their next album, Pirates, in 2022 they had embraced the pirate theme changing into a mix of symphonic power metal to more power pirate metal.[17] This trend would continue with their latest album, Pirates II – Armada, released on July 5, 2024.[18][19]

Alestorm and the revival of pirate metal

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In 2006, after a two-year hiatus, Christopher Bowes and Gavin Harper reformed their band, Battleheart. Napalm Records signed them to the label, and they were told to change their name; Bowes and Harper easily agreed and settled on Alestorm.[20][21][22] Since then, the band is responsible for reviving the popularity of pirate metal with their pirate image and humor in their albums and performances.[23]

Post-Alestorm

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Following the success of Alestorm, further bands have adopted the pirate metal style in their own ways. Not all of them are power metal like Alestorm, they range from Folk to death metal.

Swashbuckle is another band labelled pirate metal, known for its pirate image and humorous stage performances. They were founded in 2005, with their first album releasing a year later.[24][1][25][26][27]

The Dread Crew of Oddwood is a San Diego–based band founded in 2008 that does acoustic folk metal with a pirate theme.[28] They describe their style as “Heavy Mahogany”. They have released five albums so far, with the latest in 2024.

Alestorm's second studio album, Black Sails at Midnight, was released May 27, 2009.[29]

The Folk Metal band Red Rum are from the East Midlands in the United Kingdom known for their cover of They're Taking the Hobbits to Isengard. They have toured with Skiltron, Lagerstein, and Iron Seawolf.[30][31][32]

Also founded in 2011 was Rumahoy.[33] Each of the members wears a ski mask while performing. Their lead singer, Captain Yarrface, has guest starred on several Alestorm albums and the two bands are frequent collaborators. They have released two full length albums, The Triumph of Piracy and Time II: Party in 2018 and 2019, respectively in addition to several singles and a demo. Later it was revealed that Rumahoy was founded by Christopher Bowes as a side project.

Alestorm's third studio album, Back Through Time, was released June 3, 2011.[34]

Storm Seeker is a German pirate-folk-metal band from Düsseldorf and Neuss.[35]

Skull and Bones is another pirate metal band from Argentina with their main theme centered around the golden age of piracy.[36]

Alestorm's 4th studio album, Sunset on the Golden Age, was released on August 1, 2014.[37] Alestorm released their 5th studio album, No Grave But The Sea, on May 26, 2017.[38]

Alestorm released their 6th studio album, Curse of the Crystal Coconut, on May 29, 2020.[39] Alestorm released their 7th studio album, Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum, on June 24, 2022.

Table of bands

[edit]
Band name Year founded Country of origin Genre Band website
Alestorm 2006 Scotland Power metal [1]
Running Wild 1979 Germany Heavy metal [2]
Swashbuckle 2005 United States Thrash metal [3]
The Dread Crew of Oddwood 2008 United States Acoustic folk metal [4]
Red Rum 2011 England Neoclassical pirate metal [5]
Ye Banished Privateers 2008 Sweden Folk rock [6]
Calarook 2019 Switzerland Folk/death metal [7]
Rumahoy 2011 United States Power metal [8]
Visions of Atlantis 2000 Austria Symphonic metal [9]
Iron Seawolf 2009 England Folk metal [10]
Lagerstein 2010 Australia Folk metal [11]
Stormfrun 2013 Sweden Folk metal [12]
Storm Seeker 2013 Germany Folk metal [13]
Skull and Bones 2011 Argentina Folk metal [14]
Detritus 1989 England Christian metal/thrash metal [15]
Shtack 2008 The Netherlands Melodic death metal

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Myers, Ben (3 August 2009). "Scene and heard: Pirate metal". guardian.co.uk. Guardian Media Group. Archived from the original on 22 April 2010. Retrieved 14 May 2011. Pirate metal: This speed metal subgenre...
  2. ^ Gotrich, Lars (18 September 2009). "Alestorm: Play Metal Like A Pirate Day". NPR. Archived from the original on 4 May 2011. Retrieved 16 May 2011. Genre: Pirate Metal
  3. ^ "They are the pirate kings". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 15 May 2011. Archived from the original on 18 May 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2011. ... an obscure genre called pirate metal.
  4. ^ Bowar, Chad (7 August 2009). "Swashbuckle Interview: A Conversation With Vocalist/Bassist Admiral Nobeard". About.com. Archived from the original on 21 March 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  5. ^ Bowar, Chad. "Alestorm - Captain Morgan's Revenge Review". About.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  6. ^ Lane, Jordan. "Verbal Deception: Yo ho ho and a pitcher of Molson". BeatRoute Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  7. ^ a b Holmes, Mark (29 April 2009). "Interview with Dani Evans (Alestorm) – Part 1/2". Metal-Discovery.com. Archived from the original on 28 May 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  8. ^ Pirate Metal Originators Running Wild Sail for Glory on New Song 24 September. 2021. https://loudwire.com › running wild
  9. ^ Rademacher, Brian (10 April 2005). "Interview: Rolf Kasparek (Running Wild)". Rock Eyez.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  10. ^ a b c d Fust, Martin (February 1996). "Martin Fust Interviews Rolf Kasparek". Running-Wild.net. Archived from the original on 11 May 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  11. ^ a b c Frederick, Carl (May 1996). "Carl Frederick Interviews Rolf Kasparek". Running-Wild.net. Archived from the original on 12 May 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  12. ^ a b Kurth, Dane (May 1989). "Dane Kurth Interviews Rolf Kasparek". Running-Wild.net. Archived from the original on 12 May 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  13. ^ Turner, Travis (15 November 2015). "Joey Sturgis of Foundation Recording Studio". As The Story Grows Podcast. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
  14. ^ "Embryo Industries Ltd - Detritus". embryoindustries.com. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  15. ^ "VISIONS OF ATLANTIS". visionsofatlantis.at. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  16. ^ "VISIONS OF ATLANTIS". www.visionsofatlantis.at. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  17. ^ "Heavy metal pirates VIsions of Atlantis announce new album and stream single / Video". 20 March 2024.
  18. ^ "Visions of Atlantis - Pirates II: Armada Album Review". 28 June 2024.
  19. ^ ""High drama, hard-hitting heaviness and gentle, spine-tingling beauty." Visions of Atlantis have proven that 'pirate metal' is much more than a silly gimmick with the epic Pirates II - Armada". 9 July 2024.
  20. ^ Klein, Lewis. "Interview with Alestorm's Chris Bowes". Metal Mayhem UK. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  21. ^ Cornwell, Tim (6 May 2011). "Arts Diary: Model built to scales as fish swim their way into the Royal Scottish Academy". The Scotsman. Archived from the original on 8 May 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  22. ^ True, Chris. "Alestorm Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 12 June 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  23. ^ Alestorm Biography by Chris True, https://www.allmusic.com/artist/alestorm-mn0000950099
  24. ^ "SWASHBUCKLE Nuclear Blast". Nuclear Blast Records. Retrieved 23 January 2010.
  25. ^ Yuan, Henry (17 November 2009). "Pagan Metal Roundup: Swashbuckle". Guitar World. Future US, Inc. Archived from the original on 19 November 2009. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  26. ^ "Swashbuckle, Augury Sign With Nuclear Blast After Winning MySpace Band Contest". Blabbermouth.net. 27 January 2009. Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  27. ^ SWASHBUCKLE Recording New Album April 1, 2010 https://blabbermouth.net/news/swashbuckle-recording-new-album
  28. ^ Barnes, Tom (18 April 2019). "The Definitive Oral History of Pirate Metal". Thrillist. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  29. ^ Alestorm - Black Sails at Midnight Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 18 January 2024
  30. ^ "GIG REVIEW: Skiltron – Dundee show Tues 25th Oct". Metal Mole Reviews. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  31. ^ "Lagerstein, Red Rum, Viking Galaxy, Mantis Toboggan – Glasgow Garage G2, 29th Sept 2017". The Moshville Times. 1 October 2017. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  32. ^ "Red Rum announce Pure Folking Pirate Metal tour". The Moshville Times. 26 March 2018. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  33. ^ "Rumahoy - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives". www.metal-archives.com. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  34. ^ Alestorm - Back Through Time Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 18 January 2024
  35. ^ folk-metal.nl https://www.folk-metal.nl › Storm Seeker - - Folk-metal.nl
  36. ^ "Skull & Bones - The Cursed Island". metal-temple.com. 25 July 2014. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  37. ^ Alestorm - Sunset on the Golden Age Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 18 January 2024
  38. ^ Alestorm - No Grave But the Sea Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 18 January 2024
  39. ^ Alestorm - Curse of the Crystal Coconut Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 18 January 2024
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