Get ready for a party, energy, and pure mayhem! METAL ON THE HILL has confirmed ALESTORM as the first act and headliner for the festival taking place on August 29, 2026, in Graz. Anyone who has already seen the Scottish party metal crew live knows all about their high-energy shows, exuberant party anthems, and absolute readiness for mayhem both on and off stage. That’s exactly why the band, led by frontman Chris Bowes, is the perfect fit for the tenth-anniversary celebration and will enrich this year’s METAL ON THE HILL with a true live spectacle.
Ten years of METAL ON THE HILL, a breathtaking location, and a headliner who takes no prisoners: August 29, 2026, already promises to be an event that does full justice to the festival and its unique spirit. Stay tuned for further acts to be announced soon!
Ten years ago, METAL ON THE HILL was born on Graz’s Schlossberg, one of Austria’s most beautiful venues, by Napalm Records and the Grazer Spielstätten. Since then, the festival has stood for heavy sounds, intense emotions, and an unmistakable atmosphere in a truly special location—the historic Kasematten. Back in the first third of the 20th century, a stage was built within the old walls of the former fortifications, complete with a spacious auditorium that is particularly characteristic of Graz.
Scottish pirate metal party-crashers ALESTORM deliver their third single, “The Storm”, taken from their upcoming album, The Thunderfist Chronicles, out this Friday via Napalm Records! Summoning a tidal wave of crushing riffs and epic melodies, “The Storm” channels the full fury of the high seas – complete with ALESTORM’s trademark swashbuckling energy, rowdy gang vocals, and an unforgettable chorus proclaiming “I AM THE STORM”. The track arrives with an official lyric video, offering a glimpse into the chaos and glory of ALESTORM’s most adventurous chapter yet.
Following the success of their chart-smashing seventh album Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum (#7 in Germany, #5 on both the US Current Hard Music and Top New Artist Albums charts), ALESTORM return louder and more ridiculous than ever with The Thunderfist Chronicles. Packed with eight new pirate anthems brimming with outrageous storytelling, rum-soaked melodies, and unrelenting energy, the band once again plunges the pirate metal genre to glorious new depths.
Fresh off international touring and last year’s Voyage of the Dead Marauder EP, ALESTORM continue their reign of mayhem across the metal world. Known for turning every stage into a full-blown pirate party – complete with inflatable ducks and boat crowdsurfing – the band’s wild live shows are the stuff of legend.
Watch the official lyric video for “The Storm” below, and prepare to set sail with The Thunderfist Chronicles this Friday – first formats are already sold out!
Christopher Bowes on “The Storm”: “Oh wow! Our new song ‘The Storm’ is about the raw, boiling power of mastic asphalt. It’s hot, sticky, and unstoppable, just like our music. We were busy one night drinking a bottle of creme de menthe and arguing about road surfacing when it hit us: nothing says pirate metal like molten tar and industrial paving. Hail Ve-Eplu.“
With explosive opener “Hyperion Omniriff”, ALESTORM unleashes a tidal wave of melodies that will sweep you off your feet. Of course, no album would be complete without a dose of their signature humor—“Banana” is a ridiculously catchy singalong banger that will turn every concert into a drunken pirate celebration. Meanwhile, “Frozen Piss 2” is packed with icy grooves and razor-sharp wit. But it’s not all just chaos and rum-fueled madness—“The Storm” offers a dramatic, sweeping atmosphere, leading into “Mountains of the Deep”, a grandiose, anthem-filled voyage into the ocean’s depths. Then comes the Nekrogoblikon cover “Goblins Ahoy!”, a rowdy, fantasy-infused riot, before the album culminates in its climactic masterpiece: “Mega-Supreme Treasure of the Eternal Thunderfist”. This colossal, 17 minute long, over-the-top epic features heroic choirs, thundering guitars, and a swashbuckling tale that will turn every pirate into a legend.
Christopher Bowes on the new album: “This album is weird and full of difficult riffs that I already regret. There’s a bunch of fun things to discover on the record though – we’ve got a cover of a song by our friends in Nekrogoblikon, a whole lot of other heavy stuff, plus the longest song I’ve ever written (over 17 minutes long) which features guest vocals from Patty Gurdy (everyone’s favorite hurdy gurdy player) and Sir Russell Allen (Symphony X singer and my favorite vocalist of all time).”
Pre-Order Your Version of The Thunderfist ChroniclesNOW
ALESTORM once again teamed up with Lasse Lammert of LSD-Studios (Gloryhammer, Wind Rose) for production, recording, mixing, and mastering of The Thunderfist Chronicles. The new album promises a wild ride through raging storms, absurd adventures, and epic battles across the vast ocean blue.
The Thunderfist Chronicles track listing: 1. Hyperion Omniriff 2. Killed to Death by Piracy 3. Banana 4. Frozen Piss 2 5. The Storm 6. Mountains of the Deep 7. Goblins Ahoy! 8. Mega-Supreme Treasure of the Eternal Thunderfist
Experience ALESTORM live: 19.06.25 BE – Dessel / Graspop 20.06.25 NL – Landgraaf / Pinkpop 21.06.25 FI – Nummijärvi / Nummirock 25.06.25 NO – Oslo / Tons of Rock 27.06.25 CH – Grenchen / Summerside 29.06.25 ES – Barcelona / Rockfest 01.08.25 RO – Rasnov / Rockstadt Extreme 22.08.25 PT – Pindelo dos Milagres / Milagre Metaleiro 24.08.25 FR – Chateau Gontier / V & B Festival 19.09.25 US – Louisville / Louder than Life 19.10.25 NL – Den Bosch / The Rock Circus
ALESTORM are: Christopher Bowes – Vocals, Keytar Gareth Murdock – Bass Máté Bodor – Guitar Peter Alcorn – Drums Elliot Vernon – Keyboard
Explosions, entrails, and glorious seafaring chaos — ALESTORM are back with their latest anthem of absurdity, “Killed to Death by Piracy”! Taken from their upcoming album, The Thunderfist Chronicles, out June 20, 2025 via Napalm Records, the track hits hard with razor-sharp riffs, rowdy gang vocals, and lyrics packed with death, doom, and pirate lunacy. From undead hordes to rusty spoons, nothing is safe — least of all your eardrums. It’s loud, it’s fast, it’s ridiculous – and it comes with a brand-new music video that’s as over-the-top as the song itself. Raise your sails and prepare to die… the pirate’s way!
Following the success of their epic seventh studio album, Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum – which stormed the charts with a #7 debut in Germany and #5 on both the US Current Hard Music and Top New Artist Albums charts – ALESTORM are back with a vengeance. Their upcoming eighth album, The Thunderfist Chronicles, is the next chapter in their outrageous saga, featuring eight brand-new anthems brimming with rowdy, shanty-fueled melodies and hilariously over-the-top lyrics that plunge the pirate metal genre to glorious new depths.
Fresh off last year’s Voyage of the Dead Marauder EP and relentless touring across the globe, the Scottish pirate metal legends are more than ready to set sail once again. Renowned for transforming every venue into a rum-soaked, high-energy pirate party, ALESTORM continue to command both fan devotion and critical acclaim. So raise your tankards – the wildest adventure yet begins with The Thunderfist Chronicles – louder, bolder, and more ridiculous than ever before!
Christopher Bowes about “Killed to Death by Piracy”: “Thanks for listening to our new song, we hope you enjoy it! Several species of swan, like the Bewick’s swan and the whooper swan, are facing real threats from habitat loss, climate change, power lines, and lead poisoning from fishing weights. These are incredible birds, and vital to wetland ecosystems. Please consider supporting conservation efforts like those led by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust.”
ALESTORM once again teamed up with Lasse Lammert of LSD-Studios (Gloryhammer, Wind Rose) for production, recording, mixing, and mastering of The Thunderfist Chronicles. The new album promises a wild ride through raging storms, absurd adventures, and epic battles across the vast ocean blue.
With explosive opener “Hyperion Omniriff”, ALESTORM unleashes a tidal wave of melodies that will sweep you off your feet. Of course, no album would be complete without a dose of their signature humor—“Banana” is a ridiculously catchy singalong banger that will turn every concert into a drunken pirate celebration. Meanwhile, “Frozen Piss 2” is packed with icy grooves and razor-sharp wit. But it’s not all just chaos and rum-fueled madness—“The Storm” offers a dramatic, sweeping atmosphere, leading into “Mountains of the Deep”, a grandiose, anthem-filled voyage into the ocean’s depths. Then comes the Nekrogoblikon cover “Goblins Ahoy!”, a rowdy, fantasy-infused riot, before the album culminates in its climactic masterpiece: “Mega-Supreme Treasure of the Eternal Thunderfist”. This colossal, 17 minute long, over-the-top epic features heroic choirs, thundering guitars, and a swashbuckling tale that will turn every pirate into a legend.
Christopher Bowes on the new album: “This album is weird and full of difficult riffs that I already regret. There’s a bunch of fun things to discover on the record though – we’ve got a cover of a song by our friends in Nekrogoblikon, a whole lot of other heavy stuff, plus the longest song I’ve ever written (over 17 minutes long) which features guest vocals from Patty Gurdy (everyone’s favorite hurdy gurdy player) and Sir Russell Allen (Symphony X singer and my favorite vocalist of all time).”
Thunderfist Chronicles track listing: 1. Hyperion Omniriff 2. Killed to Death by Piracy 3. Banana 4. Frozen Piss 2 5. The Storm 6. Mountains of the Deep 7. Goblins Ahoy! 8. Mega-Supreme Treasure of the Eternal Thunderfist
Experience ALESTORM live: 07.06.25 CZ – Plzeň / Metalfest 13.06.25 ES – Zamora / Z! Live Rock Fest 19.06.25 BE – Dessel / Graspop 21.06.25 FI – Nummijärvi / Nummirock 25.06.25 NO – Oslo / Tons of Rock 27.06.25 CH – Grenchen / Summerside 29.06.25 ES – Barcelona / Rockfest 01.08.25 RO – Rasnov / Rockstadt Extreme 22.08.25 PT – Pindelo dos Milagres / Milagre Metaleiro 24.08.25 FR – Chateau Gontier / V & B Festival 19.09.25 US – Louisville / Louder than Life 19.10.25 NL – Den Bosch / The Rock Circus
ALESTORM are: Christopher Bowes – Vocals, Keytar Gareth Murdock – Bass Máté Bodor – Guitar Peter Alcorn – Drums Elliot Vernon – Keyboard
Ice, vengeance, and chaos—ALESTORM arrives with the first single from their upcoming album, The Thunderfist Chronicles, set for release on June 20, 2025 via Napalm Records! “Frozen Piss 2” barrels in with speedy riffs, pub-ready chanting choruses, keytar wizardry, and of course, sheer pirate madness. The track arrives with a new official music video, out today!
The Thunderfist Chronicles drops as the successor to ALESTORM’s epic seventh studio album, Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum, which peaked at #7 on the German Album charts and at #5 on both the US Current Hard Music and Top New Artist Albums charts, plus many more. Their eighth album appropriately contains eight new anthems packed with wild, shanty-driven melodies and utterly ridiculous lyrics—taking the high seas of metal to new depths.
After the release of last year’s Voyage of the Dead Marauder EP and extensive touring, the band is very well prepared for their next adventure. The Scottish pirate metal legends’ significant presence in the metal scene matches their ability to turn every venue into a boisterous pirate party, for which they are celebrated by their fans and recognized by the critics. Get ready to raise your tankards for their new album, The Thunderfist Chronicles, and join ALESTORM on their wildest adventure yet—louder and more raucous than ever!
Christopher Bowes about “Frozen Piss 2”: “’Frozen Piss 2’ is the first part of a trilogy of songs on the album that link together in an epic tale about a cursed treasure born of forgotten Sumerian gods, hidden beneath the streets of Bournemouth. Along with ‘The Storm’ and ‘Mega-Supreme Treasure of the Eternal Thunderfist’, it all connects up and reveals eldritch knowledge that’ll melt your brain. Enjoy the riffs and the dogs and the fantastic guest vocals from Shiori Sasaki!”
After the release of last year’s Voyage of the Dead Marauder EP and a journey of extensive touring, the pioneering pirate metal band returned to their ship and once again teamed up with Lasse Lammert of LSD-Studios (Gloryhammer, Wind Rose) for production, recording, mixing, and mastering of The Thunderfist Chronicles. The new album promises a wild ride through raging storms, absurd adventures, and epic battles across the vast ocean blue.
With explosive opener “Hyperion Omniriff”, ALESTORM unleashes a tidal wave of melodies that will sweep you off your feet, while “Killed to Death by Piracy” delivers thunderous choruses and crushing riffs worthy of the most legendary sea skirmish. Of course, no ALESTORM album would be complete without a dose of their signature humor—“Banana” is a ridiculously catchy singalong banger that will turn every concert into a drunken pirate celebration. Meanwhile, “Frozen Piss 2” is packed with icy grooves and razor-sharp wit. But it’s not all just chaos and rum-fueled madness—“The Storm” offers a dramatic, sweeping atmosphere, leading into “Mountains of the Deep”, a grandiose, anthem-filled voyage into the ocean’s depths. Then comes the Nekrogoblikon cover “Goblins Ahoy!”, a rowdy, fantasy-infused riot, before the album culminates in its climactic masterpiece: “Mega-Supreme Treasure of the Eternal Thunderfist”. This colossal, 17 minute long, over-the-top epic features heroic choirs, thundering guitars, and a swashbuckling tale that will turn every pirate into a legend.
With The Thunderfist Chronicles, ALESTORM proves yet again that they are the undisputed rulers of the seven metal seas. So, stock up on your rum—this is going to be loud, chaotic, and absolutely legendary!
Christopher Bowes on the new album: “This album is weird and full of difficult riffs that I already regret. There’s a bunch of fun things to discover on the record though – we’ve got a cover of a song by our friends in Nekrogoblikon, a whole lot of other heavy stuff, plus the longest song I’ve ever written (over 17 minutes long) which features guest vocals from Patty Gurdy (everyone’s favorite hurdy gurdy player) and Sir Russell Allen (Symphony X singer and my favorite vocalist of all time).”
Thunderfist Chronicles track listing: 1. Hyperion Omniriff 2. Killed to Death by Piracy 3. Banana 4. Frozen Piss 2 5. The Storm 6. Mountains of the Deep 7. Goblins Ahoy! 8. Mega-Supreme Treasure of the Eternal Thunderfist
Experience ALESTORM live: 04.05.25 JP – Tokyo / Shibuya WWWX 05.05.25 JP – Tokyo / Shibuya WWWX 06.05.25 JP – Osaka / Ruido 07.06.25 CZ – Plzeň / Metalfest 13.06.25 ES – Zamora / Z! Live Rock Fest 19.06.25 BE – Dessel / Graspop 21.06.25 FI – Nummijärvi / Nummirock 25.06.25 NO – Oslo / Tons of Rock 27.06.25 CH – Grenchen / Summerside 29.06.25 ES – Barcelona / Rockfest 01.08.25 RO – Rasnov / Rockstadt Extreme 22.08.25 PT – Pindelo dos Milagres / Milagre Metaleiro 24.08.25 FR – Chateau Gontier / V & B Festival 19.09.25 US – Louisville / Louder than Life 19.10.25 NL – Den Bosch / The Rock Circus
ALESTORM are: Christopher Bowes – Vocals, Keytar Gareth Murdock – Bass Máté Bodor – Guitar Peter Alcorn – Drums Elliot Vernon – Keyboard
Hoist the sails, sharpen your cutlasses, and fill your tankards—ALESTORM is back with their brand-new album, The Thunderfist Chronicles, set for release on June 20, 2025 via Napalm Records! The Scottish party pirates return with their eight album, containing eight new anthems packed with blistering riffs, wild shanty-driven riffs, and utterly ridiculous lyrics—taking the high seas of metal to new depths.
The Thunderfist Chronicles arrives as the successor to ALESTORM’s epic seventh studio album, Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum, which peaked at #5 on both the US Current Hard Music and Top New Artist Albums charts, #7 on the German Album charts, and many more. After the release of last year’s Voyage of the Dead Marauder EP and extensive touring, the band returns for more! With The Thunderfist Chronicles, ALESTORM proves once again why they are the undisputed rulers of the Seven Metal Seas. So, grab your nearest jug of rum—this is going to be loud, chaotic, and absolutely legendary!
Christopher Bowes on the new album: “This album is weird and full of difficult riffs that I already regret. There’s a bunch of fun things to discover on the record though – we’ve got a cover of a song by our friends in Nekrogoblikon, a whole lot of other heavy stuff, plus the longest song I’ve ever written (over 17 minutes long) which features guest vocals from Patty Gurdy (everyone’s favorite hurdy gurdy player) and Sir Russel Allen (Symphony X singer and my favorite vocalist of all time).”
The Thunderfist Chronicles track listing: 1. Hyperion Omniriff 2. Killed to Death by Piracy 3. Banana 4. Frozen Piss 2 5. The Storm 6. Mountains of the Deep 7. Goblins Ahoy! 8. Mega-Supreme Treasure of the Eternal Thunderfist
Experience ALESTORM live: 18.04.25 NL – Schijndel / Paaspop 04.05.25 JP – Tokyo / Shibuya WWWX 05.05.25 JP – Tokyo / Shibuya WWWX 06.05.25 JP – Osaka / Ruido 07.06.25 CZ – Plzeň / Metalfest 13.06.25 ES – Zamora / Z! Live Rock Fest 19.06.25 BE – Dessel / Graspop 21.06.25 FI – Nummijärvi / Nummirock 25.06.25 NO – Oslo / Tons of Rock 27.06.25 CH – Grenchen / Summerside 29.06.25 ES – Barcelona / Rockfest 01.08.25 RO – Rasnov / Rockstadt Extreme 22.08.25 PT – Pindelo dos Milagres / Milagre Metaleiro 24.08.25 FR – Chateau Gontier / V & B Festival 19.09.25 US – Louisville / Louder than Life 19.10.25 NL – Den Bosch / The Rock Circus
ALESTORM are: Christopher Bowes – Vocals, Keytar Gareth Murdock – Bass Máté Bodor – Guitar Peter Alcorn – Drums Elliot Vernon – Keyboard
Just in time for the release of their upcoming EP, Voyage of the Dead Marauder, pirate parties are raging around the world with ALESTORM’s new, infectious single “Uzbekistan”, out now alongside an official music video. The new EP, Voyage of the Dead Marauder, drops this Friday, March 22, 2024 via Napalm Records.
The crew sails forth with “Uzbekistan”, showcasing a classic pirate metal anthem featuring a synth-laden party breakdown full of intense screams while teaching geography to the greatest historians about the famous pirate-sea-land of Uzbekistan.
This EP succeeds the band’s chart-topping previous album, Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum, which debuted at #7 on the German album charts and #5 on both the US Current Hard Music and Top New Artist Albums charts upon release, as well as six further humorous masterpieces. After a successful UK and Ireland tour supported by Korpiklaani and label mates Heidevolk, and a long crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, they are currently headlining venues in North America!
Chris Bowes comments: “Oh wow! We’ve decided it is our life goal to become the biggest band in Uzbekistan, so we wrote this wee song about the place. I trust it is 100% historically accurate.”
The EP breaks loose with the epic title track Voyage of the Dead Marauder – an accelerating anthem featuring an appearance from returning guest favorite Patty Gurdy, giving the track some extra spice with a hurdy-gurdy performance and captivating vocals. “The Last Saskatchewan Pirate” will transform any gathering into a packed pirate pub with its jolly flute melody, conveying a freeing, energetic mood, before “Sea Shanty 2” uplifts with an instrumental interlude. But don’t fret – listeners who clamor for the band’s most raucous anthems will have their needs met, as closing track “Cock” fully balances out the EP’s more serious tracks with its delightfully foul lyrics. Get on board landlubbers, and embark with your favorite pirate crew on this seaworthy adventure!
Voyage of the Dead Marauder Tracklisting: 1. Voyage of the Dead Marauder 2. Uzbekistan 3. The Last Saskatchewan Pirate 4. Sea Shanty 2 5. Cock
ALESTORM Live 2024 “Tour Of The Dead Marauder” w/ Elvenking & Glyph 22.03.24 CA – Toronto, ON / The Concert Hall 23.03.24 CA – Montreal, QC / MTELUS – Sold Out! 24.03.24 US – New Haven, CT / Toad’s Place 26.03.24 US – Pittsburgh, PA / Stage AE 27.03.24 US – Detroit, MI / The Majestic 29.03.24 US – Milwaukee, WI / The Rave 30.03.24 US – Omaha, NE / The Admiral 02.04.24 CA – Winnipeg, MB / Park Theatre 03.04.24 CA – Saskatoon, SK / Coors Event Centre 05.04.24 CA – Edmonton, AB / Midway Music Hall 06.04.24 CA – Calgary, AB / The Palace Theatre 08.04.24 CA – Vancouver, BC / Commodore 09.04.23 US – Spokane, WA / Knitting Factory 10.04.24 US – Boise, ID / Knitting Factory 12.04.24 US – Sacramento, CA / Ace of Spades 13.04.24 US – Santa Ana, CA / The Observatory 15.04.24 US – Tucson, AZ / Rialto Theatre 16.04.24 US – Albuquerque, NM / Sunshine Theater 18.04.24 US – Oklahoma City, OK / Diamond 19.04.24 US – St. Louis, MO / Red Flag 20.04.24 US – Indianapolis, IN / Old National 21.04.24 US – Nashville, TN / Marathon
Festivals 2024 28.06.24 FI – Tuska / Sulvilahti 05.07.24 DE – Rock Harz / Ballenstedt 11.07.24 HU – Rockmaraton / Dunaújváros 12.07.24 CZ – Masters of Rock / Vizovice 13.07.24 AT – Area 53 / Leoben 14.07.24 NL – Pirate Metal Party / Helmond 17.07.24 RO – Metalhead Meeting / Bucharests 20.07.24 IT – Luppolo in Rock / Cremona 10.08.24 ES – Leyendas del Rock / Villena
ALESTORM are: Christopher Bowes – vocals, keytar Gareth Murdock – bass Mate Bodor – guitar Peter Alcorn – drums Elliot Vernon – keyboard
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