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Alestorm

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Not to be confused with Halestorm.
Alestorm

Alestorm is a folk/power metal band from Perth, Scotland.[1] Their music is characterized by a pirate theme, and as a result have been dubbed a "Pirate metal" band[2][3] at a popular heavy metal related website.

The band formed under the name Battleheart in 2004.[4] After releasing two EPs, they were signed by Napalm Records in 2007 and renamed themselves Alestorm.[5] Their debut album was released on January 25, 2008.[6] The band's third album, Back Through Time, is due to be released in June 2011.

Biography

Battleheart

Originally starting out as a two-member band consisting of Gavin Harper and Christopher Bowes, Battleheart recorded an independent EP in early 2006.[4] The band was completed with the addition of bassist Dani Evans and drummer Doug Swierczek.[4] Battleheart played their first live show only five days after the members had met for the first time.

Terror on the High Seas, their second EP, was recorded the same year, with Evans now featured in the recording line-up, although the drums were again programmed.[4] Later in the year, the song "Set Sail And Conquer" from the EP was featured on Metal Hammer's "Battle Metal V" CD with other such bands as Týr, Firewind, HammerFall and Blind Guardian.[7]

In early 2007, drummer Doug Swierczek left the band and was replaced by Ian Wilson.[4]

Napalm Records and name change

After being signed by Napalm Records, the band changed their name to Alestorm. The name change was due to similarities with Battlelore, who were also signed to the label. Their debut album, Captain Morgan's Revenge, was released in early 2008.[8] The song "Captain Morgan's Revenge" was also featured on Metal Hammer's "Battle Metal VI."

In April 2008, the single "Heavy Metal Pirates" was released as a digital download.[9] Ian Wilson left Alestorm temporarily in June of that year because he was unable to fully commit to the band. He was temporarily replaced by German Alex Tabisz, before rejoining the band in late August, in time for a show at Ivory Blacks in Glasgow on August 29.

Line-up changes

In September 2008, Bowes announced on Bloodstock's official forums that guitarist Gavin Harper had left the band. Tim Shaw was announced as Harper's replacement but, after a brief period of touring, also left 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. In March 2010, Ian Wilson announced he had left the band due to wanting to do other things and was replaced with a new drummer named Peter Alcorn. Alestorm's third album, Back Through Time, will be Alcorn's first appearance on an Alestorm album.

Alestorm is currently writing their third album, Back Through Time, which is to be released in June 2011.

Tours

2009

In late February 2009, after a second European support tour, the band embarked on the Pagan Knight's tour across North America with Týr and Suidakra.[10]

From April to May 2009, Alestorm, Týr, Heidevolk, and Adorned Brood took part in another European tour, titled Black Sails Over Europe. A tour CD limited to 1,000 copies was released by Napalm Records, which contained three new tracks from Alestorm's second album, Black Sails at Midnight.[11]

Alestorm played two additional tours in 2009: Paganfest in Europe and Heathenfest in the United States.[12]

2010

In 2010, Alestorm played a few shows as guests on selected dates of the Paganfest tour through Europe. That tour was headlined by Finntroll and Eluveitie.

From the 17th to the 20th June 2010, Alestorm played various shows around Australia.[13][14]

In late 2010, Alestorm toured the UK along with Sabaton,[15] (they also played together with Sabaton at their hometown festival of Falun named Rockstad: Falun during the 28-29 May) as well as playing at Hard Rock Hell: Road Trip in Ibiza.[16]

On 19 July, Alestorm posted on Facebook that they were currently writing their 3rd album. The album is expected to be released early 2011.

On 24 September, Alestorm played a new song from their third album called "Rum" live in Karlstad, Sweden in support of Sabaton's World War Tour. On 17 October, they played a cover of a Gloryhammer (a side project of keytarist Christopher Bowes) song called "The Unicorn Invasion of Dundee" in Brighton, England.

2011

In order to promote their third studio album Back Through Time, Alestorm is going on a Back Through Time World Tour. The first part of the tour will be held in Australia and New Zealand from May 10th until May 15th.[17]

Band members

Current members
Former members
  • Ian Wilson – drums, percussion (2007–2008, 2008–2010)
  • Gavin Harper – guitar, backing vocals (2004–2008)
  • Tim Shaw – guitar, backing vocals (2008)
  • Doug Swierczek – drums (2006–2007)
  • Alex Tabisz – drums (2008)

Discography

References

  1. ^ Interview with Alestorm in Glasgow on 2009 UK tour
  2. ^ "ALESTORM". MusicMight. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
  3. ^ Bowar, Chad. "Alestorm - Captain Morgan's Revenge review". About.com. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Alestorm Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  5. ^ "Alestorm Interview A Conversation With Vocalist/Keyboardist Christopher Bowes". About.com. Retrieved 14 October 2010.
  6. ^ Roadrunner records. Retrieved 01 February 2008.
  7. ^ Battle Metal V at Amazon.com Retrieved 6 March 2011
  8. ^ Alestorm Biography at Napalm Records Retrieved 6 March 2011
  9. ^ "Heavy Metal Pirates on Amazon MP3". Amazon.com. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  10. ^ "Pagan Knights Tour Dates". About. Retrieved 24 March 2011.
  11. ^ "BLACK SAILS OVER EUR Alestorm Tyr Heidevolk". Napalm Records. Retrieved 12 October 2010.
  12. ^ Napalm Records Tour Dates. Retrieved 15 September 2009.
  13. ^ "Alestorm | MySpace". Events.myspace.com. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
  14. ^ "Alestorm | MySpace". Events.myspace.com. Retrieved 2010-05-25.
  15. ^ Alestorm and Sabaton set for UK Tour
  16. ^ HRH Announces New Bands
  17. ^ ALESTORM 'BACK THROUGH TIME' Australian/ New Zealand Tour May 2011 Retrieved 6 March 2011.


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