Alestorm tickets and 2024 tour dates

Biography

Alestorm is a folk metal band from Perth, Scotland. Their music is characterized by a pirate theme, and as a result have been dubbed a pirate metal band on a popular heavy metal related website. They refer to their genre as "True Scottish Pirate Metal".

The band formed under the name Battleheart in 2004. After releasing two EPs, they were signed by Napalm Records in 2007 and renamed themselves Alestorm. Their debut album was released on 25 January 2008. The band's third album, Back Through Time, was released in June 2011.

Originally starting out as a two piece band Gavin Harper and Christopher Bowes, Battleheart recorded an independent EP in Gavin's home studio in early 2006. The band was soon rounded out after some early rotation by bassist Dani Evans and drummer Doug Swierczek. Battleheart played their first live show only five days after the members had all met together for the first time.

A second EP was recorded the same year, with Evans now featuring in the recording line-up (the drums were again programmed). Later in the year, the song "Set Sail And Conquer" from the EP was featured on Metal Hammer's "Battle Metal V" cd with other such bands as Týr, Firewind, Hammerfall and Blind Guardian.

In early 2007, drummer Doug Swierczek departed from the band and was replaced by the band's friend Ian Wilson of the band Catharist. Later in the year the band changed their name to Alestorm and were signed by Napalm Records. A debut album, "Captain Morgan's Revenge" was released in early 2008. The song "Captain Morgan's Revenge" was also featured on "Metal Hammer's Battle Metal VI".

Ian Wilson left Alestorm following the release of the debut album due to scheduling conflicts. He was replaced by Alex Tabisz, but by August that year had rejoined the band. The following month founding member Gavin Harper departed after relocating to Finland. After a brief period of touring with Tim Shaw as his replacement, Dani Evans switched instruments from bass to guitar.