REVIEW: ALESTORM – “Seventh Rum Of A Seventh Rum”

Alestorm is arguably one of the greatest party bands of all time. Of course, we would call them Pirate Metal as most of us probably have all this while. To me, Alestorm remains the epitome of a party music band. The band has a consistent history of throwing absolute bangers one after another. I have lost track for how many years I have been enchanted by the band’s music. Alestorm’s newest offering ‘Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum’ is the final frontier of an epic and heavy party mood put together with jaw dropping musical virtuosity. Every album has topped preceding albums of the band and at this rate there is no slowing down.

The album opens up with “Magellan’s Expedition” and with this right off the back without a moment’s spare, the fun begins. What a great start to an album and the sounds are all so typical of the band’s well established and signature stylistics that are written in stone. The intensity goes up with songs such as “Battle of Cape Fear River” and “Cannonball”. Both songs are absolutely mad and supremely fun! “Cannonball” is definitely my favorite off this record with it’s tasty choruses, tight riffs, mad singing, heavy drums and bass, massive synth and guitar leads and of course a bit of the ol’ chiptune vibes. Oh yeah, also the signature break for a keys/string solo so beautifully typical of Alestorm just falls in on point. “P.A.R.TY.” is a song that brims with brilliance. The chorus slaps hard on this song. How is this legal? Goddamn. It is so well written from both an instrumental and lyrical perspective. It definitely isn’t easy to write something this fun and catchy. “Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum” is a brilliant title track on the record. Funnily, this is where the record pulls itself a little back with its intensity. The grandeur of the song’s opening and the scream is nothing short of a war cry to party and dance! The melodies on this song, like everything else so far, are enjoyable. The arrangement of this song is truly loveable from the get go and the transitions between sections of the song are remarkably smooth.

Songs like “Bite the Hook Hand that Feeds” and “Return to Tortuga” are pretty straightforward classic Alestorm sounds. “Come to Brazil” is a song that stands out. Any good metal band worth their salt has been badgered to come to Brazil. It is so much fun to see Alestorm turn this sentiment (albeit now also a joke) into a song. The band has party plans for Brazil and this song is a map. Come on y’all, you know what’s to be done! This song is the shortest and the fastest off the record.

The record ends with a peaceful track “Wooden Leg (Part III) that brings the record to a nice end. Of course this is another lovely track by the band.

‘Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum’ by Alestorm slaps, smashes and most importantly makes the booty shake, jiggle and drop. Yes, this record can crack and snap a few necks. Heavy metal, amirite? But shiver me timbers, it is easier to do the latter. To make music stupidly and insanely fun should be a parameter for musical and compositional virtuosity. Alestorm does this best. The production quality is absolutely mesmerizing. The record sounds impeccably balanced, wide, massive, clear and accommodating in all its dynamics. The instrumentals across the records are brilliantly written and performed. Nothing is amiss. The lead harmonies, heavy riffing, sweet syncopation’s, thundering drums and bass were all a great tasteful come together. Absolutely ace! The vocals are just worthy of all our attention. To get an audience to sing, scream, yell and chant many times over talks volumes of personality and character that the vocals on the record comes with. This is remarkable work!

Pour a few for Alestorm!