ALESTORM

"Captain Morgan's Revenge" demonstrated that folk metal could still rock. Not that the "metal" part was ever in question on the part on ALESTORM's label mates, but the "Scottish Pirate Metal" marauders came with a big set of steel balls to go with their sprightly anthems. On the four-song "Leviathan" EP, ALESTORM kicks out the heavy metal jams once again with an even more bombastic use of Christopher Bowes' (vocals) keyboard-created high seas folk instrumentation. The result is a release that boasts a couple of surprises, a bit of band history, and an approach that is every bit the blast that was "Captain Morgan's Revenge".

The key to making these four tracks so phenomenally enjoyable is not only the adrenaline charged musicality, but also the fist-pumping sing-along quality of the choruses. You'd have to be in a catatonic state not to want to thrust a fist in the air and join the band in belting out these anthems. Not just one or two songs either, but every friggin' one! You'll want to join in on the gang shouts from "Leviathan" and "Weiber und Wein" (the Germam rendition of "Wenches & Mead"),and make a complete fool of yourself shouting "With a hi hi ho and a hi hi hey!" during the PIRATES OF THE SEA cover "Wolves of the Sea". As for "Heavy Metal Pirates", are you kidding me? Do I even have to hint at the uproarious lyrics that are in store for you on that one? Speaking of which, in many ways it is a quintessential ALESTORM track, one that may come with folk trappings, yet is powered with a heavy metal engine, as was the case with "Terror on the High Seas" from "Captain Morgan's Revenge". Incidentally, the song was first recorded for the self-titled EP for ALESTORM's first incarnation, BATTLEHEART.

ALESTORM can do no wrong and, quite frankly, knocks the snot out of most of its labelmates. As Bowes warns (in that whisky and nicotine voice of his) on "Heavy Metal Pirates", there is "no quarter for poseurs." This much fun should be illegal. I can't wait to see this band on the Pagan Knights Tour.