Pirate metal

Pirate metal is a subgenre of heavy metal,[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,[4] speed metal,[1] and folk metal,[5] may be combined with traditional-sounding songs like sea shanties.[1] Folk instruments, such as the bandoneón, 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

The earliest example of pirate metal appeared in 1987, when German heavy metal band Running Wild released their third album, Under Jolly Roger.[1] According to Rolf Kasparek, lead singer and guitarist for Running Wild, the album's pirate theme was not planned in advance.[8][9] Instead, it grew from the album's title song.[10] Eventually, the album's artwork was changed to match the title, and set decorations and costumes for future concerts were designed. The piratical lyrics transpired after the band's political message from previous albums was being misunderstood.[9][11] Kasparek began reading about pirates and, after finding "everything very interesting",[9] he incorporated the motifs into their music. The subject matter was expanded during rehearsals[10] for the fourth release, Port Royal, and their trademark style was solidified.[9]

Although Kasparek was more interested in the true histories of the Golden Age of Piracy,[10] pirate metal would eventually be inspired, to a greater extent, by the inaccuracies as invented[11] or portrayed in novels and Hollywood films.[1]

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.[12]

List of pirate metal bands

This is an incomplete list that may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by expanding it with reliably sourced entries.
Christopher Bowes and Gareth Murdock of Alestorm. The band does not always perform in costume since it can be a hassle to do so.[7]
Commodore Redrum of Swashbuckle
Band Country Formed Notes
Alestorm Scotland 2004 [13][14]
Carach Angren Netherlands 2003 [15]
Running Wild Germany 1976 [1][12]
Swashbuckle United States 2005 [1][16][17]
Verbal Deception Canada 2002 [18]


References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Myers, Ben (3 August 2009). "Scene and heard: Pirate metal". guardian.co.uk (Guardian Media Group). Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. 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 18 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 19 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 18 May 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  5. ↑ Bowar, Chad. "Alestorm - Captain Morgan's Revenge Review". About.com. Archived from the original on 15 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 18 May 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Holmes, Mark (29 April 2009). "Interview with Dani Evans (Alestorm) – Part 1/2". Metal-Discovery.com. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  8. ↑ Rademacher, Brian (10 April 2005). "Interview: Rolf Kasparek (Running Wild)". Rock Eyez.com. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Fust, Martin (February 1996). "Martin Fust Interviews Rolf Kasparek". Running-Wild.net. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Frederick, Carl (May 1996). "Carl Frederick Interviews Rolf Kasparek". Running-Wild.net. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Kurth, Dane (May 1989). "Dane Kurth Interviews Rolf Kasparek". Running-Wild.net. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Klein, Lewis. "Interview with Alestorm's Chris Bowes". Metal Mayhem UK. Archived from the original on 18 May 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  13. ↑ 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 14 May 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  14. ↑ True, Chris. "Alestorm Biography". Allmusic. Archived from the original on 15 May 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  15. ↑ Miranović, Marko. "Metal Sound". Metal Sound. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  16. ↑ Yuan, Henry (17 November 2009). "Pagan Metal Roundup: Swashbuckle". Guitar World (Future US, Inc.). Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2011.
  17. ↑ "Swashbuckle, Augury Sign With Nuclear Blast After Winning MySpace Band Contest". Blabbermouth.net. 27 January 2009. Archived from the original on 14 May 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  18. ↑ Brown, Spencer. "Verbal Deception: Pirate metal sails the seas of Calgary". BeatRoute Magazine. Archived from the original on 18 May 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.