If New Model Army had sung about pirates they might have made something like "Over The Seas". It's slightly ridiculous, over-the-top but just brings a big grin to my face. If the lyrics hadn't had such a strong narrative it's perfectly possible I would still enjoy the music, but the whole exercise is performed with such joy and vigour I can't help but be swept away by the tide. "Captain Morgan's Revenge" starts with a storm of instruments, before a tale a piratical woe. It turns out the crew's big mistake was making their captain walk the plank. While the lyrics may be tongue-in-cheek, they are still not a million miles away from bands like The Levellers and The Men They Couldn't Hang. Folk stories have power, especially those set to extravagant metal. Who'd have guessed? For once the accordion sounds entirely justified. An instrumental passage shows the band has power even without words.

"The Huntmaster" is a song ideal for drunken carousing. Of the titular character it was said: 'with the power of ale, he could not fail'. A twiddly guitar solo slightly undermines proceedings, but I like to imagine it is The Huntmaster himself taking a break from his quest for revenge, grabbing a guitar and standing on top of a wooden table in a local tavern. Remember it's curry club on Thursday 3-11pm. "Nancy The Tavern Wench" slows the pace, but opens with the hilarious line: 'I know of a tavern not far from here, where you can get some mighty fine beer.' Blatantly ignoring the health issues concerning the abuse of alcohol, Alestrom suggest a 'carpe diem' sentiment: 'Have no regrets, live for the day, in Nancy's harbour cafe.' Using traditional storytelling tropes the band offer the listener an escape from mundane life in the form of friendship, adventure and thrills. It's an enticing invitation.

"Death Before The Mast" mirrors the excitement and fear you might feel if part of a sea battle. It showcases the heavier side of the band. Some wild soloing sounds gratuitous. "Terror On The High Seas" has the triumphant spirit displayed elsewhere on the album. "Set Sail And Conquer" has a galloping rhythm, with more twiddly solos. Just when things were threatening to become formulaic, along comes "Of Treasure" where the instruments take an acoustic turn. There is some 'pirate' style singing. At a couple of points I wonder if they are going to break into a chorus of "What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor?" Talking of alcohol the next song is: "Wenches And Mead". With a title like that how can it fail? We are informed: 'A wench by my side and a jug of mead/ These are the things that I most need'. As a philosophy for life it's somewhat simplistic, but not with out appeal. An unofficial national anthem gets an outing for "Flower Of Scotland". It's Romantic nature means that it fits thematically with the pirate material.

If you take your music seriously then Alestorm might not appeal. If you enjoy things that are sometimes silly then there's a rum-filled barrel of fun to be had with these brewers of Scottish Pirate Metal. It'll be interesting to see where the band go next thematically. Is there really more to be said about pirates for their next album? They seem to have covered most of the cliches here. If they do choose another subject will people abandon the band? The band through accident or design have seized the Zeitgeist. It will be interesting to see how they ride the waves.