Pirate metal is a style of heavy metal music[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 metal,[4]speed metal,[1] and folk metal,[5] may be combined with traditional-sounding songs like sea shanties.[1]Folk instruments, such as the concertina, 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]
The earliest example of pirate metal most likely appeared when Australian heavy metal band Black Jack released their 1979 and 1983 demos, and their later 1985 vinyl EP, Five Pieces O' Eight. Their pirate themes, lyrics, stage shows and imagery were a precursor to later, more mainstream pirate metal. Black Jack's stage show featured costumes, sets, props and mock hangings. Additionally, on their 1984 album, Walpurgis Night, German band Stormwitch included a song titled "Skull and Crossbones."
Pirate metal was more widely established and popularized by German heavy metal band Running Wild.[8] They released their third album, Under Jolly Roger in 1987,[1] and according to Rolf Kasparek, lead singer and guitarist for the band, the album's pirate theme was not planned.[9][10] Instead, it grew from the album's title song.[11] Eventually, the album's artwork was changed to match the title, and set decorations and costumes for future concerts were designed. The piratical lyrics also became a way to convey the band's political message, since their use of the devil as a symbolic figure was being misunderstood on their first album Gates to Purgatory.[10][12] Kasparek began reading about pirates and, after finding "everything very interesting",[10] he incorporated the motifs into their music. The subject matter was expanded during rehearsals[11] for the fourth release, Port Royal, and their trademark style was solidified.[10]
Although Kasparek was more interested in the true histories of the Golden Age of Piracy,[11] pirate metal would eventually be inspired, to a greater extent, by the inaccuracies as invented[12] or portrayed in novels and Hollywood films.[1]
Another band that adopted a pirate motif before the official coining of “Pirate Metal” is Detritus from the UK. They were founded in 1989. Their music combines thrash metal, Christian metal and pirate motifs[13] They continue to release music, with their most recent album coming out in 2020.[14]
Visions of Atlantis, an Austrian symphonic metal band, was founded in 2000.[15] Their original concept was focused around the mythical lost city of Atlantis and adventuring on the sea in general, but their more recent work is directly about pirates.[16] In 2019 the symphonic power metal band Visions of Atlantis released the album Wanderers, which touched on some nautical and piratical themes. With the release of their next album, Pirates, in 2022 they had embraced the pirate theme changing into a mix of symphonic power metal to more power pirate metal.[17] This trend would continue with their latest album, Pirates II – Armada, released on July 5, 2024.[18][19]
Alestorm and the revival of pirate metal
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.[20][21][22] Since then, the band is responsible for reviving the popularity of pirate metal with their pirate image and humor in their albums and performances.[23]
Post-Alestorm
Following the success of Alestorm, further bands have adopted the pirate metal style in their own ways. Not all of them are power metal like Alestorm, they range from Folk to death metal.
Swashbuckle is another band labelled pirate metal, known for its pirate image and humorous stage performances. They were founded in 2005, with their first album releasing a year later.[24][1][25][26][27]
The Dread Crew of Oddwood is a San Diego–based band founded in 2008 that does acousticfolk metal with a pirate theme.[28] They describe their style as “Heavy Mahogany”. They have released five albums so far, with the latest in 2024.
Alestorm's second studio album, Black Sails at Midnight, was released May 27, 2009.[29]
Also founded in 2011 was Rumahoy.[33] Each of the members wears a ski mask while performing. Their lead singer, Captain Yarrface, has guest starred on several Alestorm albums and the two bands are frequent collaborators. They have released two full length albums, The Triumph of Piracy and Time II: Party in 2018 and 2019, respectively in addition to several singles and a demo. Later it was revealed that Rumahoy was founded by Christopher Bowes as a side project.
Alestorm's third studio album, Back Through Time, was released June 3, 2011.[34]
Skull and Bones is another pirate metal band from Argentina with their main theme centered around the golden age of piracy.[36]
Alestorm's 4th studio album, Sunset on the Golden Age, was released on August 1, 2014.[37] Alestorm released their 5th studio album, No Grave But The Sea, on May 26, 2017.[38]
Alestorm released their 6th studio album, Curse of the Crystal Coconut, on May 29, 2020.[39] Alestorm released their 7th studio album, Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum, on June 24, 2022.
In 2023 Pirate Queen was formed. The British/Spanish Band is the first all-female Pirate Metal Band .[40]
Table of bands
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2024)
^ abcdefghMyers, Ben (3 August 2009). "Scene and heard: Pirate metal". guardian.co.uk. Guardian Media Group. Archived from the original on 22 April 2010. Retrieved 14 May 2011. Pirate metal: This speed metal subgenre...
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