Review: Alestorm – Black Sails At Midnight (2009)
Alestorm are catching a bit of popularity worldwide fueled by the surprise success of their debut record, Captain Morgan’s Revenge, which was a combination of decent folk power metal and pirate theme. Obviously the gimmick alone is something that would catch wind instantly and bring some notoriety to the band, no matter how good they were. Luckily for them, Captain Morgan’s Revenge was a decent effort and put some credibility in the band’s sails. However, I can’t say I was ever really expecting much from this band from a career standpoint. There is only so much one can do when your whole deal is pirates and nothing but pirates. Running Wild are the quintessential pirate band, do you see them dressing up like pirates? Come on now. However, I am giving Alestorm a chance, and have decided to sit down and listen to Black Sails at Midnight purely on the merit of their first effort, which wasn’t that bad. So, without further ado, here is my opinion on these scalawags.
Alright, I am not even going to sugar coat things. Black Sails at Midnight is, quite literally, exactly what I was expecting. This is generic as generic can be with bits and pieces lifted from many bands in the genres of power and folk metal. I hear Children of Bodom, Turisas, Rhapsody of Fire and even the theme song from Pirates of the Caribbean…really now guys? It’s one thing to wear your influences on your sleeve, but blatant unoriginality, especially when you are in a themed band whose sole purpose and approach is to write about the glory of pirating, is not flattering in the least.
I have listened to Black Sails at Midnight and there really aren’t any good songs that I would go out of my way to listen to again. There are too many good bands out there to waste my time trying to like a band that can’t even take the time to break out some stand out tracks. The only song that caught my attention throughout the album was the opener “The Quest,” but even this is completely forgettable.
Essentially, if you haven’t figure it out already, you are much better going elsewhere for your folk and/or power metal needs. This is schlock with no personality. Go check out Swashbuckle’s discography, or look into Turisas’ Battle Metal for music that will undeniably fill the void of what Alestorm could have been. You can thank me later with a stein of grog.
BLASHPHEMY!
Top Tracks: AARRRRGH!
Similar Artists: Rhapsody of Fire, Children of Bodom, Turisas
1. The Quest
2. Leviathan
3. That Famous Ol’ Spiced
4. Keelhauled
5. To the End of Our Days
6. Black Sails at Midnight
7. No Quarter
8. Pirate Song
9. Chronicles of Vengeance
10. Wolves of the Sea (Pirates of the Sea cover)
Christopher Bowes – Vocals, Keyboards
Dani Evans – Guitar
Gareth “Gazz” Murdock – Bass
Ian Wilson – Drums
http://www.myspace.com/alestorm
Review by CODY
