Alestorm - Sunset On The Golden Age (Album Review)
Tuesday, 05 August 2014
Written by Alec Chillingworth
Cats and dogs don’t get on, Brits moan about the weather and Alestorm continue to sing about pirates. But, on their fourth full-length, 'Sunset On The Golden Age', could our Scottish heavy metal mutineers possibly have run dry of nautical references?
Nope. With titles such as Magnetic North, Walk The Plank and Quest For Ships, Alestorm have plenty more piratical poetry stowed away. Picking up where 2011's 'Back Through Time' dropped anchor, the Scotsmen do a superb job of blending folk-metal melodies with blasts of power metal, thrash and other oddities.
Alestorm have finally perfected their style. By homing in on the heavier elements present on 'Back Through Time', their latest release is a fearsome beast that still clings on to the sense of fun that makes the band so appealing.
Layered death vocals on 1741 (The Battle Of Cartagena) come only two minutes after a deliriously camp 8-bit intro, with the muscular structure of Drink letting up for one of the most insanely catchy refrains Alestorm have ever penned. Walk The Plank's savage riffing is juxtaposed with mentions of sharks with 'pointy teeth', paving way for a shout-along chorus just begging to be played live.
Hats off and drinks chugged in honour of vocalist/keytarist/barrel boy Chris Bowes, whose hearty roars bring the album full circle. Rough as a cake full of grit and as authentic as you can get, it's a genuine wonder to hear him scream 'you Spanish bastards!' followed by 'you Japanese bastards!' during Wooden Leg!, which details the harrowing tale of a man who gets his legs blown off...and then his arms.
The dude doesn't really sing, but he talks like a pirate with absolute conviction. This comes to a head during the band's cover of Taio Cruz's hit-single Hangover, in which he actually raps. It should be utter toss, but it's done with such hedonistic glee that it's impossible not to tap your feet.
The same goes for the grandiose, 11 minute title-track, which sweeps through elegant guitar passages, orchestral nuances and bone-headed chants. It's likely to test the patience of the unconverted, but otherwise it remains an iron-clad album closer.
If you've never liked Alestorm, then this isn't going to change your mind; it's still very silly and you'll still think they're shit. But, if you've been part of their esteemed crew for a while, then 'Sunset On The Golden Age' will have you gushing your guts all over the poop deck. It’s faster, heavier and catchier than ever. Alestorm have finally delivered the booty they've been promising.
Alestorm Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Wed October 08 2014 - NORWICH Waterfront
Thu October 09 2014 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy Birmingham
Fri October 10 2014 - SHEFFIELD Corporation
Sat October 11 2014 - SOUTHAMPTON 1865
Sun October 12 2014 - BRIGHTON Concorde 2
Mon October 13 2014 - PLYMOUTH White Rabbit
Tue October 14 2014 - LIVERPOOL O2 Academy Liverpool
Wed October 15 2014 - DUBLIN Voodoo Lounge
Thu October 16 2014 - CORK Cyprus Avenue
Fri October 17 2014 - BELFAST Mandela Hall
Sat October 18 2014 - ABERDEEN Garage
Sun October 19 2014 - GLASGOW Arches, Glasgow
Mon October 20 2014 - BRISTOL Bierkeller
Tue October 21 2014 - MANCHESTER Manchester Academy 2
Wed October 22 2014 - EXETER Lemon Grove
Thu October 23 2014 - READING Sub 89
Fri October 24 2014 - LONDON Electric Ballroom
Sat October 25 2014 - LEEDS Metropolitan University
Sun October 26 2014 - CARDIFF Globe, Cardiff
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