| Alestorm | |
|---|---|
L-R Dani Evans, Gareth Murdock, Peter Alcorn, Christopher Bowes |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Perth, Scotland |
| Genres | Pirate meta[1] Folk metal[2] Power metal[3][4] Heavy metal[5] |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | Napalm |
| Website | www.alestorm.net |
| Members | |
| Christopher Bowes Dani Evans Gareth Murdock Peter Alcorn |
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| Past members | |
| Gavin Harper Tim Shaw Doug Swierczek Alex Tabisz Ian Wilson |
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Alestorm is a metal band from Perth, Scotland.[6] Their music is characterized by a pirate theme, and as a result have been dubbed a "pirate metal" band[7][8] on a popular heavy metal related website. They refer to their genre as "True Scottish Pirate Metal".[9]
The band formed under the name Battleheart in 2004.[10] After releasing two EPs, they were signed by Napalm Records in 2007 and renamed themselves Alestorm.[11] Their debut album was released on 25 January 2008.[12] The band's third album, Back Through Time, was released in June 2011.
Contents |
Originally a two-member band consisting of Gavin Harper and Christopher Bowes, Battleheart recorded an independent EP in early 2006.[10] The band was completed with the addition of bassist Dani Evans and drummer Doug Swierczek.[10] Battleheart played their first live show only five days after the members had met for the first time.
Terror on the High Seas, their second EP, was recorded the same year, with Evans now featured in the recording line-up, although the drums were again programmed.[10] Later in the year, the song "Set Sail And Conquer" from the EP was featured on Metal Hammer's "Battle Metal V" CD with other such bands as Týr, Firewind, HammerFall and Blind Guardian.[13]
In 2006, Evans switched to rhythm guitar and Bowes became primarily the band's keyboardist with the joining of bassist Jason Heeny and vocalist Robin Hellier, but Heeny and Hellier left after only a few months, prompting Evans and Bowes to revert to their old positions of bassist and vocalist, respectively.
In early 2007, drummer Doug Swierczek left the band and was replaced by Ian Wilson.[10]
After being signed by Napalm Records, the band changed their name to Alestorm. The name change was due to similarities with Battlelore, who were also signed to the label. Their debut album, Captain Morgan's Revenge, was released in early 2008.[14] The song "Captain Morgan's Revenge" was also featured on Metal Hammer's "Battle Metal VI."
In April 2008, the single "Heavy Metal Pirates" was released as a digital download.[15] Ian Wilson left Alestorm temporarily in June of that year because he was unable to fully commit to the band. He was temporarily replaced by German Alex Tabisz, before rejoining the band in late August, in time for a show at Ivory Blacks in Glasgow on 29 August.
By September 2008, guitarist Gavin Harper had left the band. Tim Shaw was Harper's replacement, but after a brief period of touring, also left 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. 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, is Alcorn's first appearance on an Alestorm album.
In late February 2009, after a second European support tour, the band embarked on the Pagan Knight's tour across North America with Týr and Suidakra.[16]
From April to May 2009, Alestorm, Týr, Heidevolk, and Adorned Brood took part in another European tour, titled Black Sails Over Europe. A tour CD limited to 1,000 copies was released by Napalm Records, which contained three new tracks from Alestorm's second album, Black Sails at Midnight.[17]
Alestorm played two additional tours in 2009: Paganfest in Europe and Heathenfest in the United States.[18]
In 2010, Alestorm played a few shows as guests on selected dates of the Paganfest tour through Europe. That tour was headlined by Finntroll and Eluveitie.
From 17 to 20 June 2010, Alestorm played various shows around Australia.[19][20]
In late 2010, Alestorm toured Europe along with Sabaton,[21] (they also played together with Sabaton at their hometown festival of Falun named Rockstad: Falun during the 28–29 May) as well as playing at Hard Rock Hell: Road Trip in Ibiza.[22]
On 24 September, Alestorm debuted a new song from their third album called "Rum" live in Karlstad, Sweden in support of Sabaton's World War Tour. On 17 October, they played a cover of a Gloryhammer (a side project of keytarist Christopher Bowes) song called "The Unicorn Invasion of Dundee" in Brighton, England.
In order to promote their third studio album Back Through Time, Alestorm went on a Back Through Time World Tour. The first part of the tour was held in Australia and New Zealand from 10 until 15 May.[23], followed by festivals through the summer and Heidenfest in the fall. A show in Moscow, Russia and an appearance on the Eindhoven Metal Meeting were also in order.
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