After signing to Napalm Records in 2007, their debut album Captain Morgan's Revenge, was released on 25 January 2008. Black Sails at Midnight, the band's second album, was released on 27 May 2009. The band's third album, Back Through Time, was released on 3 June 2011. The fourth album from the band, Sunset on the Golden Age, was released in August 2014. Their fifth album No Grave But the Sea was released on 26 May 2017. Their sixth and latest album, Curse of the Crystal Coconut, was released on 29 May 2020.
The band was founded in 2004 as Battleheart, a studio project by Christopher Bowes and Gavin Harper. Originally intended as a standard power metal band, the success of song "Heavy Metal Pirates" convinced the band to permanently adopt a pirate theme and incorporate folk metal elements into their music. Gavin and Christopher recorded & released two independent demos in 2006, which were received well by the local metal community. The band began to perform live in 2006, with a lineup consisting of Bowes (vocals and keytar), Harper (guitars), Dani Evans (bass) and Doug Swierczek (drums). Doug Swierczek eventually left the band later that year and was replaced by Ian Wilson. After a period of inactivity, in late 2007 Battleheart sent their demos to Napalm Records, and the band was promptly offered a record deal.
After being signed by Napalm Records, the band changed their name from Battleheart to Alestorm. Their debut album, Captain Morgan's Revenge, was released in early 2008.
By September 2008, original guitarist Gavin Harper had left the band. Tim Shaw was Harper's replacement, but after a brief period of touring, was fired from the band. To fill the guitarist position, Dani Evans switched instruments from bass to guitar, and Gareth Murdock of Waylander joined as the replacement bassist. The band's 2nd album Black Sails at Midnight was released in May 2009. In March 2010, Ian Wilson left the band and was replaced with a new drummer named Peter Alcorn. Alestorm's third album, Back Through Time, was Alcorn's first appearance on an Alestorm album. In October 2011, Elliot Vernon joined the band as keyboard player and performing screamed / death metal vocals.
The band released their fourth record entitled "Sunset on the Golden Age" on 1 August 2014, reaching the #1 position in the UK Rock Chart.
In October 2016, Christopher Bowes announced during a concert on the Super Smashed Turbo Tour that the band planned to begin recording a fifth studio album in January 2017. The fifth record, entitled "No Grave But the Sea", was released on 26 May 2017.
On 8 January 2020, the band announced the title of their sixth studio album, "Curse of the Crystal Coconut". This was released on May 29th, 2020. Prior to its release, Alestorm released the singles "Treasure Chest Party Quest", "Tortuga" (feat. Captain Yarrface of Rumahoy) and "Fannybaws".
Alestorm is generally classified as pirate metal, folk metal, power metal, heavy metal, and hard rock. The band refer to themselves as "True Scottish Pirate Metal" and are identifiable by the pirate-themed lyrics in their songs. Alestorm's music utilizes the upbeat epic style of power metal with many orchestrations commonly found in folk metal. Album recordings feature heavy use of real trumpets and trombones, whilst implementing accordion synths, fiddle and tin whistle to convey a pirate sea shanty feel. Alestorm uses factors of absurdity to bring a jocular feel to their music, incorporating irreverent lyrical themes while retaining a tenuous connection to pirates.
They have also been known to experiment with different metal genres, going from songs that are predominantly thrash metal ("Black Sails at Midnight") to a switch to a black metal sonority mid-song ("Death Throes of the Terrorsquid"). The band's later albums have begun to incorporate more screamed vocals by keyboard player Elliot Vernon, adding hints of metalcore ("Magnetic North") and death metal ("1741 – The Battle of Cartagena") to the band's sound.
Official bio:
Avast, ye landlubbers! From the deepest darkest depths of the Caribbean comes Alestorm, a drunken band of pirates on an epic quest to drink your beer, steal your rum, and be the greatest damn band that ever did sail the seven seas!
From humble beginnings playing shows to farm animals in a field somewhere in Eastern Scotland, Alestorm have evolved into an international party machine hellbent on conquering album charts and festival stages throughout the world, with their infectious brand of 'Pirate Metal' and their dashing good looks.
Somehow they've managed to convince hundreds of thousands of people from New Zealand to Argentina to Lithuania and everywhere in between (except Paraguay), that it's cool to wear a pirate hat and sing stupid songs about getting drunk and stealing ships. So prepare your spleens, because Alestorm are coming to kick ass and chew gum. And they're all out of ass.
Also, they have a giant inflatable duck. Does your band have a giant inflatable duck? No. I didn't think so.
Nancy
Alestorm Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where you can get some mighty fine beer
The company's true and the wenches are pretty
It's the greatest damn place in the whole of the city
If you're looking for crewmates, you'll sure find 'em there
Cutthroats and lowlifes and worse I should dare
Ol' Nancy don't care who comes to her inn
It's a den of debauchery violence and sin
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
In Nancy's harbor cafe
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
In Nancy's harbor cafe
If you're looking to go on a glorious quest
There's a man there who knows of an old treasure chest
For some pieces of eight and a tankard of ale
He'll show you the map and tell you it's tale
And then there's Nancy, the lovely barmaiden
She may be old but her beauty ain't fading
Ol' Nancy don't care who comes to her inn
It's a den of debauchery violence and sin
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
In Nancy's harbor cafe
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
In Nancy's harbor cafe
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
In Nancy's harbor cafe
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
In Nancy's harbor cafe
The song "Nancy the Tavern Wench" by Alestorm is a lively and upbeat song that describes the atmosphere of a tavern where the beer is fine, the women are pretty, and the company is true. The song tells of a tavern that is the "greatest damn place in the whole of the city" where people can come and drown their sorrows and forget their fears for a night. The tavern is a place where anyone who is looking for crewmates, or who is on a glorious quest, can find what they need. The tavern is run by a woman named Nancy, who doesn't care who comes to her inn, even if they are cutthroats or lowlifes. The tavern is a "den of debauchery, violence, and sin," but for the people who go there, it is a haven where they can escape from their troubles.
One interesting interpretation of the song is that it celebrates the freedom of sailors and the nomadic lifestyle that they lead, where they can travel to different ports and find companionship and adventure. The song suggests that Nancy's tavern is a place where sailors can let their hair down and forget the constraints of society. Another interesting aspect of the song is that it is written in the style of traditional sea shanties, which were songs that sailors would sing to pass the time and lift their spirits. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy tune are reminiscent of this style, and the lyrics paint a vivid picture of a lively tavern filled with camaraderie, good drinks, and beautiful women.
Overall, "Nancy the Tavern Wench" is a fun and entertaining song that celebrates the spirit of adventure, camaraderie, and the free-spirited lifestyle of sailors. It's a song that invites people to let go of their troubles and enjoy the moment, to drink and be merry in a place where they can forget about their cares for a little while.
Line by Line Meaning
I know of a tavern not far from here
There's a nearby bar where we can hang out
Where you can get some mighty fine beer
They serve delicious drinks there
The company's true and the wenches are pretty
The people there are honest and the women are attractive
It's the greatest damn place in the whole of the city
It's the best bar in town
If you're looking for crewmates, you'll sure find 'em there
If you need companions for your next adventure, you can find them there
Cutthroats and lowlifes and worse I should dare
There are shady characters there
Ol' Nancy don't care who comes to her inn
The owner doesn't discriminate customers
It's a den of debauchery violence and sin
The place is wild and chaotic
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
Drink up and forget your troubles
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
Your fears will disappear for the night
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
Let's enjoy the moment and forget about tomorrow
In Nancy's harbor cafe
In Nancy's bar
If you're looking to go on a glorious quest
If you want to embark on an epic adventure
There's a man there who knows of an old treasure chest
You can find a treasure map from a local
For some pieces of eight and a tankard of ale
You can buy the map with coins and drinks
He'll show you the map and tell you it's tale
He'll explain the story behind the map
And then there's Nancy, the lovely barmaiden
The owner is a sweet lady
She may be old but her beauty ain't fading
Although she's aging, she's still attractive
Ol' Nancy don't care who comes to her inn
The owner doesn't discriminate customers
It's a den of debauchery violence and sin
The place is wild and chaotic
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
Drink up and forget your troubles
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
Your fears will disappear for the night
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
Let's enjoy the moment and forget about tomorrow
In Nancy's harbor cafe
In Nancy's bar
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
Drink up and forget your troubles
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
Your fears will disappear for the night
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
Let's enjoy the moment and forget about tomorrow
In Nancy's harbor cafe
In Nancy's bar
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
Drink up and forget your troubles
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
Your fears will disappear for the night
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
Let's enjoy the moment and forget about tomorrow
In Nancy's harbor cafe
In Nancy's bar
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
Drink up and forget your troubles
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
Your fears will disappear for the night
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
Let's enjoy the moment and forget about tomorrow
In Nancy's harbor cafe
In Nancy's bar
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CHRISTOPHER BOWES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
THE RAVEN
--- lyrics ---
I know of a tavern not far from here
Where you can get some mighty fine beer
The company's true and the wenches are pretty
It's the greatest damn place in the whole of the city
If you're looking for crewmates, you'll sure find 'em there
Cutthroats and lowlifes and worse I should dare
Ol' Nancy don't care who comes to her inn
It's a den of debauchery violence and sin
[Chorus] x2
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
In Nancy's Harbour Cafe
If you're looking to go on a glorious quest
There's a man there who knows of an old treasure chest
For some pieces of eight an a tankard of ale
He'll show you the map and tell you it's tale
And then there's Nancy, the lovely barmaiden
She may be old but her beauty ain't fading
Ol' Nancy don't care who comes to her inn
It's a den of debaucher violence and sin
Kikan
I know of a tavern not far from here
Where you can get some mighty fine beer
The company's true and the wenches are pretty
It's the greatest damn place in the whole of the city
If you're looking for crewmates, you'll sure find 'em there
Cutthroats and lowlifes and worse I should dare
Ol' Nancy don't care who comes to her inn
It's a den of debauchery violence and sin
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
In Nancy's harbor cafe
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
In Nancy's harbor cafe
If you're looking to go on a glorious quest
There's a man there who knows of an old treasure chest
For some pieces of eight and a tankard of ale
He'll show you the map and tell you it's tale
And then there's Nancy, the lovely barmaiden
She may be old but her beauty ain't fading
Ol' Nancy don't care who comes to her inn
It's a den of debauchery violence and sin
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
In Nancy's harbor cafe
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
In Nancy's harbor cafe
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
In Nancy's harbor cafe
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
In Nancy's harbor cafe
Andrael
I know of a tavern not far from here
Where you can get some mighty fine beer
The company's true and the wenches are pretty
It's the greatest damn place in the whole of the city
If you're looking for crewmates, you'll sure find 'em there
Cutthroats and lowlifes and worse I should dare
Ol' Nancy don't care who comes to her inn
It's a den of debauchery violence and sin
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
In Nancy's harbor cafe
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
In Nancy's harbor cafe
If you're looking to go on a glorious quest
There's a man there who knows of an old treasure chest
For some pieces of eight and a tankard of ale
He'll show you the map and tell you it's tale
And then there's Nancy, the lovely barmaiden
She may be old but her beauty ain't fading
Ol' Nancy don't care who comes to her inn
It's a den of debauchery violence and sin
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
In Nancy's harbor cafe
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
In Nancy's harbor cafe
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
In Nancy's harbor cafe
So come take a drink and drown your sorrows
And all of our fears will be gone till tomorrow
We'll have no regrets and live for the day
In Nancy's harbor cafe
snowieken
Everyone loves their fun parody pirate songs, yet this is one of the most underrated Alestorm songs in my opinion. I personally love their "ballad"-style music, also End of Our Days or Scraping the Barrel comes to mind. Absolutely beautifully arranged music pieces with great guitar solos as well. "She may be old, but her beauty ain't fadin". Gah, love it.
rick13953
I became a fan literally a week ago. I knew of them, and enjoyed like 2 songs a few time, but I had never appreciated the sheer feelgood in their songs before.
Kazik Majster
My personally favourite part is "and all of our fears will be gone 'TILL TOMORROW", it indicates that ale is not the answer, but a craved short-relief. It makes it so realistic and believable imo.
Half Baked Channel
This album is peak alestorm. Shame they sold out
Willy's Bakery
these dudes fkn rock..
BrainHancer Systems
Arrrg! me laddies !
Oscar Scheepstra
Watched the band perform this live like 10 years ago at a metal festival in Amsterdam. People were jumping on the stage and singing with the band. I even got a beer from the vocalist.
Clayton Kemp
Dang
Deathbrewer
Same. I saw them around 10 years ago doing this song at Sterling Hotel in Allentown, PA and it was basically the same deal. Just awesome.
Radagast the Brown
They're all very cool people