Alestorm

Biography

Alestorm, formerly Battleheart, are a Scottish heavy metal band formed in Perth in 2004. As a result of their pirate theme, critics and fans have been dubbed them a "pirate metal" band. The group currently consists of lead vocalist/keytarist Christopher Bowes, bassist Gareth Murdock, drummer Peter Alcorn, keyboardist/harsh vocalist Elliot Vernon and guitarist Máté "Bobo" Bodor.
They signed to Napalm Records in 2007, and released their debut album, Captain Morgan's Revenge, on 25 January 2008. The band released their second album, Black Sails at Midnight×Black Sails at Midnight1 May 2009 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1The Quest4:562Leviathan5:563That Famous Ol’ Spiced4:464Keelhauled3:425To the End of Our Days6:236Black Sails at Midnight3:317No Quarter3:028Pirate Song4:039Chronicles of Vengeance6:2510Wolves of the Sea3:3411P Is for Pirate0:5012Weiber Und Weinen3:4113Heavy Metal Pirates4:24, on 27 May 2009. The band's third album, Back Through Time×Back Through Time3 June 2011 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Back Through Time5:032Shipwrecked3:303The Sunk’n Norwegian4:074Midget Saw3:185Buckfast Powersmash2:336Scraping the Barrel4:407Rum3:298Swashbuckled3:539Rumpelkombo0:0610Barrett’s Privateers4:4111Death Throes of the Terrorsquid7:46, was released on 3 June 2011. Their fourth album, Sunset on the Golden Age×Sunset on the Golden Age1 August 2014 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1Walk the Plank4:062Drink3:223Magnetic North3:4641741 (The Battle of Cartagena)7:175Mead From Hell3:416Surf Squid Warfare3:597Quest for Ships4:338Wooden Leg!2:449Hangover3:4110Sunset on the Golden Age11:2511Over the Seas (acoustic version)4:0312Nancy the Tavern Wench (acoustic version)4:5213Keelhauled (acoustic version)3:5814The Sunk’n Norwegian (acoustic version)4:0615Shipwrecked (acoustic version)3:3116Questing Upon the Poop Deck3:1217Oceans of Treasure4:5518Rumpelkombo, Part III0:06, was released in August 2014. Fifth album No Grave But the Sea×No Grave but the Sea26 May 2017 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1No Grave but the Sea3:302Mexico3:103To the End of the World6:434Alestorm3:575Bar ünd Imbiss4:116Fucked With an Anchor3:277Pegleg Potion3:548Man the Pumps5:519Rage of the Pentahook3:0710Treasure Island7:48 was released on 26 May 2017. Their sixth album, Curse of the Crystal Coconut×Curse of the Crystal Coconut29 May 2020 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 24 tracks · 3 discsDisc 11Treasure Chest Party Quest4:162Fannybaws4:153Chomp Chomp3:334Tortuga3:235Zombies Ate My Pirate Ship5:056Call of the Waves5:057Pirate’s Scorn2:488Shit Boat (No Fans)1:159Pirate Metal Drinking Crew3:4510Wooden Leg Part 2 (The Woodening)8:0711Henry Martin2:30Disc 21Treasure Chest Party Quest (16th Century version)4:162Fannybaws (16th Century version)4:143Chomp Chomp (16th Century version)3:334Tortuga (16th Century version)3:205Zombies Ate My Pirate Ship (16th Century version)5:056Call of the Waves (16th Century version)5:047Pirate’s Scorn (16th Century version)2:488Shit Boat (No Fans) (16th Century version)1:149Pirate Metal Drinking Crew (16th Century version)3:4510Wooden Leg Part 2 (The Woodening) (16th Century version)7:4011Henry Martin (16th Century version)2:38Disc 3A1Big Ship Little Ship2:23B1Bassline Junkie2:47, was released on 29 May 2020. Their seventh album, Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum×Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum24 June 2022 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 22 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Magellan’s Expedition4:392The Battle of Cape Fear River3:063Cannonball3:574P.A.R.T.Y.3:235Under Blackened Banners4:396Magyarország3:597Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum3:218Bite the Hook Hand That Feeds4:109Return to Tortuga3:5510Come to Brazil2:0911Wooden Leg (Part III)5:45Disc 21Magellan’s Expedition (acoustic version)4:392The Battle of Cape Fear River (acoustic version)3:063Cannonball (acoustic version)3:544P.A.R.T.Y. (acoustic version)3:195Under Blackened Banners (acoustic version)4:376Magyarország (acoustic version)3:517Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum (acoustic version)3:208Bite the Hook Hand That Feeds (acoustic version)4:069Return to Tortuga (acoustic version)3:5210Come to Brazil (acoustic version)2:0711Wooden Leg (Part III) (acoustic version)5:49, was released on 24 June 2022. Their eighth album, The Thunderfist Chronicles×The Thunderfist Chronicles20 June 2025 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1Hyperion Omniriff5:302Killed to Death by Piracy3:203Banana3:444Frozen Piss 24:385The Storm4:236Mountains of the Deep2:387Goblins Ahoy!4:098Mega‐Supreme Treasure of the Eternal Thunderfist17:04, was released on 20 June 2025.
The band has released two live albums and six EPs. Lead vocalist Christopher Bowes provides the announcer voice for the Pirate team in the video game Pirates, Vikings and Knights II.

Battleheart and origins (2004–2007)

The band was founded in 2004 in Perth, Scotland as Battleheart, a studio project by Christopher Bowes and Gavin Harper. Originally intended as a standard power metal band, the success of song "Heavy Metal Pirates×Heavy Metal Pirates24 April 2008 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Heavy Metal Pirates4:26" convinced the band to permanently adopt a pirate theme and incorporate folk metal elements into their music. Gavin and Christopher recorded and released two demos in 2006, which were received well by the local metal community. The band began to perform live in 2006, with a lineup consisting of Bowes (vocals and keytar), Harper (guitars), Dani Evans (bass) and Doug Swierczek (drums). Doug Swierczek eventually left the band later that year and was replaced by Ian Wilson. After a period of inactivity, in late 2007 Battleheart sent the aforementioned demos to Napalm Records. The band was quickly offered a record deal.

Captain Morgan's Revenge (2007–2009)

After being signed by Napalm Records, the band changed their name from Battleheart to Alestorm. Their debut studio album, Captain Morgan's Revenge, was released in early 2008. The album featured the drummer of the band Incubator, Migo Wagner as the session drummer. The album was also produced by Incubator guitarist Lasse Lammert.
In April 2008, the band released the single "Heavy Metal Pirates×Heavy Metal Pirates24 April 2008 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Heavy Metal Pirates4:26". They also played the UK festival Bloodstock, alongside headliners Nightwish and Dimmu Borgir. Drummer Ian Wilson left in June 2008 and later rejoined in August of the same year. By September 2008, original guitarist Gavin Harper had left the band. Tim Shaw was Harper's replacement, but after a brief period of touring, was fired from 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.

Black Sails at Midnight and Back Through Time (2009–2011)

The band's second studio album Black Sails at Midnight×Black Sails at Midnight1 May 2009 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1The Quest4:562Leviathan5:563That Famous Ol’ Spiced4:464Keelhauled3:425To the End of Our Days6:236Black Sails at Midnight3:317No Quarter3:028Pirate Song4:039Chronicles of Vengeance6:2510Wolves of the Sea3:3411P Is for Pirate0:5012Weiber Und Weinen3:4113Heavy Metal Pirates4:24 was released in May 2009. The album peaked at #60 on the GfK Entertainment charts. 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×Back Through Time3 June 2011 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Back Through Time5:032Shipwrecked3:303The Sunk’n Norwegian4:074Midget Saw3:185Buckfast Powersmash2:336Scraping the Barrel4:407Rum3:298Swashbuckled3:539Rumpelkombo0:0610Barrett’s Privateers4:4111Death Throes of the Terrorsquid7:46, was Alcorn's first appearance on an Alestorm album.
On June 3, 2011 Alestorm went on a Back Through Time World Tour starting in Australia and New Zealand. The album reached #42 on the German Albums Chart. In October 2011, Elliot Vernon joined the band as keyboard player and also performed screamed / death metal vocals.

Sunset on the Golden Age and No Grave But the Sea (2012–2019)

The band released their fourth record entitled "Sunset on the Golden Age×Sunset on the Golden Age1 August 2014 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1Walk the Plank4:062Drink3:223Magnetic North3:4641741 (The Battle of Cartagena)7:175Mead From Hell3:416Surf Squid Warfare3:597Quest for Ships4:338Wooden Leg!2:449Hangover3:4110Sunset on the Golden Age11:2511Over the Seas (acoustic version)4:0312Nancy the Tavern Wench (acoustic version)4:5213Keelhauled (acoustic version)3:5814The Sunk’n Norwegian (acoustic version)4:0615Shipwrecked (acoustic version)3:3116Questing Upon the Poop Deck3:1217Oceans of Treasure4:5518Rumpelkombo, Part III0:06" on 1 August 2014, reaching the #1 position in the UK Rock Chart.
Dani Evans retired from the band in April 2015, and was replaced by Hungarian guitarist Máté Bodor of the band Wisdom, who is also a part of Leander Kills.

In October 2016, Christopher Bowes announced during a concert on the Super Smashed Turbo Tour that the band planned to begin recording a fifth studio album in January 2017. The fifth record, entitled "No Grave But the Sea×No Grave but the Sea26 May 2017 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1No Grave but the Sea3:302Mexico3:103To the End of the World6:434Alestorm3:575Bar ünd Imbiss4:116Fucked With an Anchor3:277Pegleg Potion3:548Man the Pumps5:519Rage of the Pentahook3:0710Treasure Island7:48", was released on 26 May 2017. The album peaked at #1 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers Albums chart.

Curse of the Crystal Coconut and Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum (2020–2022)

On 8 January 2020, the band announced the title of their sixth studio album, "Curse of the Crystal Coconut×Curse of the Crystal Coconut29 May 2020 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 24 tracks · 3 discsDisc 11Treasure Chest Party Quest4:162Fannybaws4:153Chomp Chomp3:334Tortuga3:235Zombies Ate My Pirate Ship5:056Call of the Waves5:057Pirate’s Scorn2:488Shit Boat (No Fans)1:159Pirate Metal Drinking Crew3:4510Wooden Leg Part 2 (The Woodening)8:0711Henry Martin2:30Disc 21Treasure Chest Party Quest (16th Century version)4:162Fannybaws (16th Century version)4:143Chomp Chomp (16th Century version)3:334Tortuga (16th Century version)3:205Zombies Ate My Pirate Ship (16th Century version)5:056Call of the Waves (16th Century version)5:047Pirate’s Scorn (16th Century version)2:488Shit Boat (No Fans) (16th Century version)1:149Pirate Metal Drinking Crew (16th Century version)3:4510Wooden Leg Part 2 (The Woodening) (16th Century version)7:4011Henry Martin (16th Century version)2:38Disc 3A1Big Ship Little Ship2:23B1Bassline Junkie2:47". This was released on 29 May 2020. On 30 April, the band released an EP titled, "The Treasure Chest EP×The Treasure Chest EP30 April 2020 · EPSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 5 tracks1Treasure Chest Party Quest4:182Tortuga3:253Drink (live 2019)3:414Nancy the Tavern Wench (live 2019)5:065Fucked With an Anchor (live 2019)4:33". Prior to the album's release, Alestorm released the singles "Treasure Chest Party Quest×Treasure Chest Party Quest3 April 2020 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Treasure Chest Party Quest4:16" on 2 April 2020, "Tortuga×Tortuga23 April 2020 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Tortuga3:22" (feat. Captain Yarrface of Rumahoy) on 23 April 2020, and "Fannybaws×Fannybaws14 May 2020 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Fannybaws4:14" on 14 May 2020. The fourth single for the album titled, "Pirate Metal Drinking Crew" was released on 29 May 2020. The album peaked at #68 on the Official Albums Chart. A deluxe version of the album includes the normal track listing, along with what is referred to as "16th Century Version" editions of each track was released. On 6 August, The Wooden Box was released and it included two bonus tracks on a 7-inch Single which are "Big Ship Little Ship" and "Bassline Junkie". On 28 May 2021, the band released their second live album, "Live in Tilburg×Live in Tilburg28 May 2021 · Album · LiveSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 20 tracks1Intro1:352Keelhauled3:463Alestorm4:004Magnetic North3:435Mexico3:096Over the Seas4:107The Sunk’n Norwegian4:238No Grave but the Sea3:319Nancy the Tavern Wench5:0110Rumpelkombo0:07111741 (The Battle of Cartagena)7:1612Drunken Sailor1:2713Hangover3:4414Pegleg Potion3:4015Bar ünd Imbiss4:1516Captain Morgan’s Revenge7:4617Shipwrecked3:2318Drink3:2819Wolves of the Sea3:2520Fucked With an Anchor4:12".
In August 2021, a Twitter account named "GloryhammerC" posted screenshots of what appeared to be an internal chat from 2017 between the members of the band Gloryhammer, of whom vocalist Chris Bowes was a keyboardist and founding member, that showed misogynist and racist humour along with several racial slurs. Bassist Vincent Jackson Jones of Aether Realm, who formerly collaborated with Bowes in the band Wizardthrone, released a statement on 26 August 2021, in which he distanced himself professionally from Bowes and urged Bowes to make his own statement; at the time, none of Gloryhammer's members had made public comments on the issue. Subsequently, Aether Realm, who were due to tour with both bands, were replaced with the Bootyard Bandits. On 5 September 2021, Bowes and the rest of the band released statements, admitting the leaked chat was true and apologizing for the remarks.
On 16 January 2022, the band announced that they entered the studio to record their seventh studio album, Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum×Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum24 June 2022 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 22 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11Magellan’s Expedition4:392The Battle of Cape Fear River3:063Cannonball3:574P.A.R.T.Y.3:235Under Blackened Banners4:396Magyarország3:597Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum3:218Bite the Hook Hand That Feeds4:109Return to Tortuga3:5510Come to Brazil2:0911Wooden Leg (Part III)5:45Disc 21Magellan’s Expedition (acoustic version)4:392The Battle of Cape Fear River (acoustic version)3:063Cannonball (acoustic version)3:544P.A.R.T.Y. (acoustic version)3:195Under Blackened Banners (acoustic version)4:376Magyarország (acoustic version)3:517Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum (acoustic version)3:208Bite the Hook Hand That Feeds (acoustic version)4:069Return to Tortuga (acoustic version)3:5210Come to Brazil (acoustic version)2:0711Wooden Leg (Part III) (acoustic version)5:49. On 31 January 2022, the band released a music video for the song "Zombies Ate My Pirate Ship", a song from their sixth album, "Curse of the Crystal Coconut". On 13 March 2022, the band announced that their seventh studio album will be released on 24 June 2022. On 6 April 2022, the band released the lead single, "Magellan's Expedition". On 4 May 2022, the band released the second single, "P.A.R.T.Y.×P.A.R.T.Y.4 May 2022 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1P.A.R.T.Y.3:232Magellan's Expedition4:38". On 1 June 2022, the band released the third single, "The Battle of Cape Fear River. On 22 June 2022, the band released the fourth single, "Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum".

Voyage of the Dead Marauder EP and The Thunderfist Chronicles (2023–present)

On 17 September 2023, the band announced an upcoming EP titled "Voyage of the Dead Marauder×Voyage of the Dead Marauder14 February 2024 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Voyage of the Dead Marauder4:27", set to be released in 2024. On 14 November 2023, the band announced the release date for the EP, setting the release for 22 March 2024. On 14 February 2024, the band released a new song, "Voyage of the Dead Marauder", the lead single from the EP. The EP featured two cover versions. On 21 March 2024, the band released a new song, "Uzbekistan×Uzbekistan21 March 2024 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Uzbekistan3:402Voyage of the Dead Marauder4:27", the second single from the EP.
On 4 March 2025, the band announced their eighth studio album, The Thunderfist Chronicles×The Thunderfist Chronicles20 June 2025 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1Hyperion Omniriff5:302Killed to Death by Piracy3:203Banana3:444Frozen Piss 24:385The Storm4:236Mountains of the Deep2:387Goblins Ahoy!4:098Mega‐Supreme Treasure of the Eternal Thunderfist17:04, which was later released on 20 June 2025. On 23 April 2025, the band released the album's first single, "Frozen Piss 2×Frozen Piss 223 April 2025 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Frozen Piss 24:37". On 20 May 2025, the album's second single, "Killed to Death by Piracy×Killed to Death by Piracy20 May 2025 · SingleSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 2 tracks1Killed to Death By Piracy3:192Frozen Piss 24:37", was released. On 18 June 2025, the album's third single, "The Storm", was released.

Musical style

Alestorm is generally classified as pirate metal, folk metal, power metal and heavy metal. Alestorm has also included elements of pop, rap metal, nu metal, progressive metal, thrash metal, symphonic metal, death metal, symphonic black metal, metalcore, black metal, extreme metal, and Finnish folk music in their music.
The band refer to themselves as "True Scottish Pirate Metal" and are identifiable by the pirate-themed lyrics in their songs. Alestorm's music utilizes the upbeat epic style of Scottish folk metal and power metal. Album recordings feature heavy use of real trumpets, trombones, accordions synths, fiddle and tin whistle, violins, vibraslaps, brass, keytars, and singalong choruses to convey a pirate sea shanty feel. Alestorm's lyrical themes focus on pirates themes including sailing, pillaging, and drinking.
The band's later albums incorporate screaming and death growls performed by keyboard player Elliot Vernon, as well from guest vocalists such as Ken Sorceron and Mathias Lillmåns.