When most people think of pirates, they probably think of treasure quests, Jack Sparrow, and a lot of rum. Well there is a special place where people nerd out to heavy music played by modern day pirates. It is a fascinating sub-genre of Heavy Metal dubbed Pirate Metal, and it has been terrorizing the shores of countries in a bold way in recent years. The ships dock on American soil for Piratefest America 2015 featuring Scotland’s Alestorm, New Jersey’s Swashbuckle, and San Diego’s The Dread Crew of Oddwood. Beginning on January 27th down in Tampa, Florida, the twenty-seven date tour found itself in the bitter cold waters of the New York City harbor on Saturday, January 31st to celebrate at the Gramercy Theater. Despite the winter weather, fans were not deterred from heading out to the show and greeted the beloved buccaneers with a sold out crowd.
First was The Dread Crew of Oddwood, who immediately strike interest performing unorthodox Metal music. Over the past six years The Dread Crew of Oddwood paved their way into the hearts of Metal fans, having played along bands like Turisas, Rhapsody of Fire, Arkona, and Steam Powered Giraffe. These brilliant pirate goofs have found the way to create a unique infusion of high-energy Heavy Metal and Celtic Folk music with catchy tunes featuring instruments like a ukulele , a mandolin, a “toy” piano, and upright bass. This amalgam of beautifully crafted music has it is own name the band likes to call “heavy mahogany,” which by the way also features lyrics with grandiose tales of bloody sieges, drunken debauchery, zombies, airships, and time travel! Making the audience feel as if they were in the 1500s at a pub filled with rum-drunk pirates, their music was melodic with pounding drums and catchy choruses on songs like “The Dread Crew of Oddwood” , ” When I Sail’d” , and ” Berzerker.”. In spite of a limited set time, The Dread Crew of Oddwood partied hard and were a blast to watch. Fans of the genre can only hope they will make another quest to the city that never sleeps in the near future.
Up next was the 3-piece debauchery from the sea rovers Swashbuckle. Swashbuckle was formed in early 2005 when bassist Patrick Henry and guitarist Justin Greczyn met each other at a Red Lobster. Conveying their love of pirates and Thrash Metal they decided to form a band, later adding drummer Mike Soganic and guitarist Rowin’ Joe Po to their crew. Releasing their debut album Crewed by the Damned in 2006. the band quickly found their way on tours that took them across the US . Featured at the North American Paganfest tour alongside bands such as Korpiklaani, Primordial, Moonsorrow, they reached the farthest corners of the world playing the Wacken Open Air Festival in Germany and 2014’s 70000 Tons Of METAL Cruise. Now supporting their latest EP titled We Hate the Sea, vocalist/bassist Admiral Nobeard (Patrick Henry), guitarist/keyboardist Commodore Redrum (Justin Greczyn), and drummer Legendary Pirate King Eric “The Brown” were ready to capture New York City.
As their set began they upped the ante of this pirate party with a raw mix of heavy technical drumming , Death Metal style guitars with brilliant licks and harsh vocals, this trio is not the pirate crew anyone wants to mess with. Putting on an intense performance that had fans moshing throughout, they played tracks like “Cruise Ship Terror”, along with “Beer Goggles” and a medley of “Five Other Songs Under Five Minutes.” Simply jolting, the set was brutally beautiful; full of drunken shenanigans and raw energy throughout. The band concluded their final night on Piratefest America 2015 on February 15th, where Rainbowdragoneyes took over the rest of the dates. Those who missed their show should walk the plank themselves in regret.
After having plenty of laughs, drinks, and dancing about, the time had come for everyone’s favorite pirates – the 5-piece known as Alestorm. Setting sail in 2004 and helmed by Christopher Bowes (vocals and keytar), the band also features Dani Evans (guitars), Gareth Murdock (bass), Elliot Vernon (keyboards), and Peter Alcorn (drums). Formerly christened Battleheart, Alestorm signed with Napalm Records in 2007. Since their formation their sound has been nothing but unique; blending modern Folk and Power Metal with a nautical twist, which also features some Black Metal. Stealing the hearts of many with their self-proclaimed Bacon-Powered Pirate Core, Alestorm have reached a new level of success with 2014’s Sunset on the Golden Age. Making a triumphant return to New York City to a bigger and sold out theater crowd added to the excitement surrounding the band prior to the beginning of their performance.
Staying true to their antics, the raiders take the stage to an EDM intro track and catchy keyboards played by the hands of Vernon whom is now a permanent member. Igniting an adrenaline rush, new song “Walk the Plank” followed by an onslaught of the best of Alestorm’s catalogue. As Bowes and his crew clearly display their enthusiasm and, driven by the energy of the hoards of fans in the audience, songs like “The Sunk’n Norwegian,” “Shipwrecked,” and “Nancy the Tavern Wench” were just a few of which set up a real “happy-go-lucky” atmosphere. Proving the band is more than just fun and games, their impressive instrumentation was displayed flawlessly and affectionately. With a whole lot of singing along, moshing about, and beers spilling on the floor it was safe to say their followers had the time of their life through the hour plus set which went on to to feature “Keelhauled” and new tunes like “Wooden Leg!”
Seemingly setting their sails high to cast off into the night, fans cheered for more and received an encore performance of “1741 (The Battle of Cartagena),” their catchy cover of Taio Cruz’s “Hangover,” “Captain Morgan’s Revenge,” and “Rum.” Overall, this was perhaps one of the most entertaining Metal shows New York City has seen in quite some time. Piratefest America 2015 rampages on until February 26th so join this motley crew for a escape into adventure unlike no other.
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