History and notable bands
The earliest example of pirate metal appeared in 1987, when German heavy metal band Running Wild released their third album, Under Jolly Roger.[1] According to Rolf Kasparek, lead singer and guitarist for Running Wild, the album's pirate theme was not planned.[8][9] Instead, it grew from the album's title song.[10] Eventually, the album's artwork was changed to match the title, and set decorations and costumes for future concerts were designed. The piratical lyrics also became a way to convey the band's political message, since their use of the devil as a symbolic figure was being misunderstood on their first album Gates to Purgatory.[9][11] Kasparek began reading about pirates and, after finding "everything very interesting",[9] he incorporated the motifs into their music. The subject matter was expanded during rehearsals[10] for the fourth release, Port Royal, and their trademark style was solidified.[9]
Although Kasparek was more interested in the true histories of the Golden Age of Piracy,[10] pirate metal would eventually be inspired, to a greater extent, by the inaccuracies as invented[11] or portrayed in novels and Hollywood films.[1]
In 2006, after a two-year hiatus, Christopher Bowes and Gavin Harper reformed their band, Battleheart. Napalm Records signed them to the label, and they were told to change their name; Bowes and Harper easily agreed and settled on Alestorm.[12][13][14]
Swashbuckle is another band labelled pirate metal, known for its pirate image and humorous stage performances.[15][1][16][17]
The Dread Crew of Oddwood is a San Diego-based band that does acoustic folk metal with a pirate theme.[18]
Storm Seeker is a German pirate-folk-metal band from Düsseldorf and Neuss.
