This Scottish quartet describes itself as “True Scottish Pirate Metal”, a statement that should always be followed with a “Yaaarrr!” each time you say it. With Davey Jones, that is to say Rock `N' Rolf, lost in the oceans depths and the good ship Running Wild having turned into a ghost ship, could the time have come for Alestorm, just like another Jack Sparrow, to become the new terror of the seas of metal?

Now, purely due to their theme, the comparison with Running Wild is obvious. Not that the band themselves would deny such a thing but when you hear the album, then you understand that their influences do not begin and end with the works of Rolf Kasparek.

First of all, the vocals sound much more like Martin Walkiyer than anything else. The fact that they have keyboards so prominently is also something that differentiates the sound of the Scotchmen from their German rivals, since it adds a much more epic feel to the music and a good balance between the thrash guitars and the chirpier melodies.

On the whole the album may not be the most innovative thing you’ve ever heard but for the fans of the original “pirates of metal” I’m sure it constitutes a much better “meal” than a re-release, a live album, a best of or a tribute album. As for the rest of us that never felt the need to put on an eye patch, a wooden leg and a parrot on our shoulder, I believe that this time around we might actually do it…