London’s metal fans were treated with a bank holiday feast of metal with Faroe Island’s TYR, and Scotland’s ALESTORM teaming up for the ‘Black Sails Over Europe’ tour. Although billed as a double headliner, it was immediately obvious from the amount of people sporting pirate paraphernalia that the majority of the sold out crowd were here to see ALESTORM.

Still, TYR received a great response as they blasted through an enjoyable set. Many of their songs are not sung in English, but with such infectious melodies, it’s quite easy to nod along. ‘Hail to the Hammer’ seemed to be the most popular TYR song in the set, but the reaction for that was eclipsed when the band performed THIN LIZZY’s ‘Whiskey in the Jar’ as a farewell encore.

ALESTORM really are riding the crest of a wave at the moment, and they appear to be enjoying every last second of it. The idea of pirate metal was a unique one, even if the long forgotten RUNNING WILD had tried the theme without much success over 20 years ago. I always though ALESTORM could make more of an effort on stage with the pirate theme, but then again, perhaps the music is enough of a joke, and the band seem happy to let the crowd do the dressing up.

The crowd went ecstatic as the four piece launched in to openers ‘Over the Seas’ and ‘Levithan’, with more than one or two pirates opting for a stage dive. All fists were raised in the air for ‘Huntmaster’, and the whole venue sang in unison for the brilliant ‘Nancy the Tavern Wench’.

Plenty of new material was played, and all of it slotted in nicely next to the debut album classics. ‘Keelhauled’ had just about everybody jiggling along, and ‘That Famous Ol’ Spiced’ is a drinking anthem to rival the majestic ‘Wenches and Mead’, which of course went down a treat. With new album cuts ‘The Quest’ and ‘Pirate Song’ also impressing, ‘Black Sails at Midnight’ is certainly an album to look forward to.

Affectionately known as ‘Stumpy’, one of the two original members, Dani Evans has now switched form the bass guitar to lead guitar, and although he’s not yet up to the standard of original guitarst Gavin Harper, Evans put in an energetic, if not technically perfect display, but still good enough for the feel good, party vibe of ALESTORM. Excitable frontman Christopher Bowes is still full of humour, his voice holding up to the silly pirate vocals, and his ability on the keyboards seemingly naturally outstanding.

The evening’s fun and frolics were rounded off with a fantastic finale as TYR frontman Heri Joensen joined the band on stage for ‘Wolves of the Sea’ - a cover of a song that was used as Latvia’s Eurovision Song Contest entry last year. A thoroughly enjoyable night of metal, and to make it all the sweeter, there was no work in the morning! Yaaaargh!!!

Ratings:

Review by James Allman