Rating: 10/10
Release: 20 June 2025
Label: Napalm Records

What is there to say about Scottish Pirate Metal legends /pioneers, Alestorm, that hasn’t already been said? Their sound, once unique, is now ubiquitous and, dare I say, predictable. Let’s be brutally honest here, the one-trick pony gimmick that the band started way back in 2007 really should have run it’s course by now. It should have, but it hasn’t! Despite Alestorm now being in their 18^th year an on album number 8, they are somehow still exciting and fun! Personally, the announcement of a new album fills me with joy, with each new single released in weeks and months leading up to the release date, merely adding to the anticipation.

Whether you are a fan of the band or not (I very much am), I would defy anyone to say they haven’t got a real knack for penning a catchy tune. Of course, detractors might well retort with an argument that a lot of the songs sound very similar. Yes. Yes they do, but that’s not much of a criticism when you consider the countless other bands in the history of rock and Metal who found their style and stuck to it. To be fair to Alestorm, although their basic sound remains recognisable, they continue to develop and grow with each respective release and there are always fun little additions and flourishes to keep each album fresh. Don’t believe me? Go back and listen to the earlier releases, where the sound from the keytar to the vocals was far more stereotypical pirate-y. In comparison, later releases have seen the band develop a more pronounced pop sensibility and they seem to be seeing how far they can push the daftness!

I very much doubt that Chris Bowes (vocals, keytar, mastermind) himself ever imagined that his silly little band would ever make it to almost two decades, let alone be even more popular than ever, playing sold-out shows at increasingly larger venues across Europe and beyond. But here we are.
There are few surprises to be found on this album and the general tongue in cheek vibe won’t be to everyone’s taste, but for those of us who love the band, it’s yet another brilliant addition to their canon (pun very much intended). The Thunderfist Chronicles is about as far from serious as music gets. There might only be 8 tracks on this album, but the quality control has been tightened and they are all pretty much absolute bangers. Again! There are far too many serious bands in Metal and, quite frankly, we need Alestorm more than ever in these troubled and divided times.

Tracklist

1. Hyperion Omniriff
2. Killed to Death by Piracy
3. Banana
4. Frozen Piss 2
5. The Storm
6. Mountains of the Deep
7. Goblins Ahoy!
8. Mega-Supreme Treasure of the Eternal Thunderfist