Alestorm – Sunset on the Golden Age (2014)

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As one of the most polarizing bands in the world, Alestorm returns with their whacky pirate metal with “Sunset on the Golden Age”. Setting sails with 11 very odd tracks, the band continues to expand their sound with some new influences, and further refines their craft with more direct and enjoyable anthems of drinking, pillaging, and some more drinking. If you have always been a supporter of the band, you will notice how well they have evolved into an outfit that crafts very interesting songs that are quite technically proficient as well as engaging and catchy.

Instantly making an impact with the festive “Walk the Plank”, we have a traditional Heavy Metal-influenced song that features thunderous guitars and a chorus section that will make you raise your fist and start chanting. The album’s first stand-out single: “Drink,” is a superbly crafted catchy tune that will make you drink alcohol non-strop. Featuring several ‘wenches’ in the official video of the song, this is one hell of a party song that you don’t want to miss out on.

The album continues with the bipolar “Magnetic North”, a song that features Turisas/Wintersun-esque passages that will have people cheering in the crowd. On the other hand, the song has some slow moments and even some harsher (than usual) vocals. The weirdness continues with the track “1741 (The Battle of Cartagena)”, which begins with some Nintendo sounds which perfectly fit the overlying craziness of such a catchy tune filled. The band’s Pirate anthems keep rolling with excellent tracks like “Mead from Hell” and “Quest for Ships”, two very catchy and engaging songs.

With creative use of odd influences, like the surf-rock riffs of “Surf Squid Warfare” or the punkish attitude (and tempo) of “Wooden Leg!”. Continuing the band’s tradition of featuring a cover song in each full-length, they have selected “Hangover”… yeah… the Taio Cruz song, but at least is a bit Pirate-fied for the enjoyment of the public. With a wide assortment of short songs, it is quite surprising to have the 11 minute epic “Sunset on the Golden Age”, a song that is bittersweet since it indicates that there will be no new Alestorm material for a while, but it also showcases the band doing a longer and more involved track.

As a whole, “Sunset of the Golden Age” is one hell of a release that showcases the band’s evolution over the years. The band has come along so far in terms of acceptance and musically, and all tracks in this release demonstrate that they are not just some dudes dressed like pirates banging on instruments. If you like some well-crafted Melodic Folk/Viking Metal sounding music but with a focus on Pirates and all things Pirate-related, look no further and get yourself a copy of this release.

Band: Alestorm Album: Sunset on the Golden Age

Label: Napalm Records

Release: August 1st, 2015

Oficial Site Social Media

Genre: Pirate Metal

Country: Scotland

Rating: 90/100
Year: 

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