Review | Alestorm – The Thunderfist Chronicles

Napalm Records

The pirates of Alestorm set sail once more with `The Thunderfist Chronicles’. Their eighth studio album, and what an album it is. This latest release isn’t just another chapter in their drunken sailor saga. It’s a musical battering ram that blends their signature mix of metal, rum, and absurd humor with a surprising amount of ambition and innovation.

BIGGER, CRAZIER AND SURPRISINGLY EPIC

While earlier albums like `Seventh Rum of a Seventh Rum’ focused mostly on partying, singalongs, and crude humor, `The Thunderfist Chronicles’ feels like a more mature (yet still completely unhinged) step forward. The production, once again handled by Lasse Lammert, is richer and more cinematic, with symphonic layers and explosive arrangements that make the sea battles almost tangible. The band sounds tighter, the compositions are more layered, and the balance between chaos and control is better than ever.

TRACKS THAT RAISE THE FLAG

The album opens with ,,Hyperion Omniriff’’, a riff-driven explosion that immediately makes it clear. Alestorm wants more than just to turn the pub upside down. The aggressive energy is perfectly balanced by a melodic chorus and high-energy build-up. It’s a statement: this ship is sailing full speed ahead.

,,Banana’’ is the ultimate Alestorm singalong: absurd, irresistibly catchy, and guaranteed to become a crowd favorite. On paper it sounds like nonsense. But musically, it’s surprisingly tight and sure to unleash beer showers and dancing masses during live shows.
Another standout is ,,The Storm’’. An atmospheric and almost dramatic song that shows Alestorm can impress even without the jokes. Here you can hear the band’s musical growth: a track with depth, tension, and a melancholic undertone. Without losing its sense of adventure.

Later in the album we find ,,Mountains of the Deep’’, a bombastic midtempo epic that sounds like a cross between Sabaton and a sea battle in a fantasy film.
The album closes with ,,Mega-Supreme Treasure of the Eternal Thunderfist’’. A 17-minute metal monster where everything comes together: heroic choirs, guitar duels, tempo shifts, and a story only Alestorm could tell. It may very well be their most ambitious track to date. It’s grand, over the top, but executed with a surprising amount of finesse.

CONCLUSION: SETTING COURSE FOR NEW HEIGHTS

With `The Thunderfist Chronicles’, Alestorm proves they’re more than just a gimmick band. They stay true to their pirate identity but aren’t afraid to evolve. The album is both a party and a sonic adventure—from the pub to the raging ocean. The familiar humor and energy remain, but there’s more room for musical depth and dynamics.
In short: this is Alestorm at their best. With `The Thunderfist Chronicles’, Alestorm sounds bolder, more mature, and more epic than ever before. So, raise your mug, fill it to the brim with rum, crank the volume to eleven, and let yourself be swept away by the most adventurous metal album of the year. It’s all aboard, or overboard!

Release date: 20 June 2025