ALESTORM : LEVIATHAN
Napalm Records
Alestorm, the Scottish ‘pirate metal’ crew, have been dividing opinion with a cutlass and a drunken cackle ever since they signed to Napalm Records in 2007 and released “Captain Morgan’s Revenge”, whose unfortunately catchy hooks snared many fish who might previously have considered them serious, intellectual members of the metal community. Grog, wenches, and crunchy, rousing power metal riffs and keys combined for a musical experience that literally cries out for audience participation, laden as it is with phenomenally catchy shout-a-long choruses and the endless potential for dressing up.
“Leviathan” is a rather beautifully packaged MCD, offering up one completely new song in the form of the title track, and three collectors pieces from the band’s history. “Heavy Metal Pirates” dates from the band’s years as Battleheart, and features some infectious, nautical keyboard work and lyrics which are so ridiculous they beat you into loving submission with the power of grinning. “Weiber und Wein” is a German-language version of a track from “Captain Morgan’s Revenge”, and works very well, the linguistic switch forcing frontman Christopher to inject a little more growl, which boosts his vocal approach (Alestorm are big in Germany, as if you had to ask). “Wolves of the Sea” is a cover of Latvia’s entry to last year’s Eurovision Song Contest. It’s camper than a whole room of Roger the Cabin Boys, it has synth solos, it has plenty of ‘hi hi ho!’ and it has wedged itself in my brain. Farewell, sweet credibility, I shall miss you.
Original track “Leviathan” is the most interesting composition, as it proves that Alestorm can ably maintain the form they’ve displayed so far. The riffs are racing and crunchy, and while there are certainly big orchestral synths aplenty, the sound remains quite deep and pure, evoking Turisas and to a certain extent Ensiferum. An epic and heroic narrative sweep is set out by the lyrics, and while I’ll never be at home with keyboard solos, with all their parp and unnecessary cheese, the lead guitar work has strengths Alestorm’s detractors overlook, as the cracking solo on this title track proves.
I’d love, for the sake of my own blackened soul, to go to town on Alestorm as many uncharitable souls have already done; they’ve got a lot of shtick, which threatens to deluge their ability to string seriously catchy, biting power metal. I’m not going to, though; having listened to a lot of ‘party metal’ in the past few years, I’m pleased that Alestorm go at it with such unbounded, unself-conscious enthusiasm; it bodes well for their ability to focus on creating stronger tracks, and hints at excellent live experiences to be had. Being a Perth lass myself, I can’t mutiny against these crusty compatriots; “Leviathian” is 100% fun, and will be a chest of bullion to established fans. Arr!
70/100
ELLEN SIMPSON
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