Alestorm

Biography

[Dashboard] [Referred Artists] [Search Options]

Alestorm (2004-present): a Folk Metal band from Perth, Scotland, UK.

he 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 the single Heavy Metal Pirates convinced the band to permanently adopt a pirate theme and incorporate folk metal elements into their music. The pair released two independent demos and began to perform live in 2006, with a lineup consisting of Bowes (vocals/keytar), Harper (guitars), Dani Evans (bass) and Doug Swierczek (drums). Swierczek's tenure was short as he left the band later that year and was replaced by Ian Wilson. After a period of inactivity, in late 2007 Battleheart sent their demos to 'Napalm Records' promptly getting them a record deal.

After being signed by 'Napalm Records', the band changed their name to Alestorm, with their debut studio album, Captain Morgan's Revenge following in early 2008 featuring Migo Wagner, drummer for Incubator, as session guest. The album was also produced by Incubator guitarist Lasse Lammert.

In April 2008, the band released the single Heavy Metal Pirates. Wilson left in June 2008 and later rejoined in August of the same year. By September 2008, Harper left, with Tim Shaw stepping in as his replacement, but after a brief period of touring, he was subsequently fired. To fill the guitarist position, Dani Evans switched instruments from bass to guitar, with Gareth Murdock of Waylander joining as the replacement bassist.

Read All... ⏬

The band's second album, Black Sails at Midnight (2009) peaked at 60 on the GfK Entertainment charts. In March 2010, Wilson left and was replaced with Peter Alcorn for the release of Back Through Time (2011) which reached 42 on the German Albums Chart. In October 2011, Elliot Vernon joined the band as keyboard player and performing screaming death metal style vocals.

Their fourth album, Sunset on the Golden Age (2014) reached 1 in the UK Rock Chart.

Evans retired from the band in April 2015, and was replaced by Hungarian guitarist Máté Bodor of the band Wisdom and Leander Kills.

The fifth album, No Grave But the Sea (2017). peaked at 1 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers Albums chart. The album Curse of the Crystal Coconut and the EP The Treasure Chest EP followed in 2020. A deluxe version of the album included the normal track listing, along with what is referred to as "16th Century Version" editions of each track was released. Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum (2022) and the EPVoyage of the Dead Marauder (2024) followed.

Read Less... ⏫