Review | Pirate Queen – Pirates From The Sea

Despotz Records

Recently I got burned by the wonderous Dogma debut, transcending female melodic metal into the blasphemous stratosphere. Today I find myself confronted by female pirates who call themselves Pirate Queen. Hailing from the pirate kingdom’s capital Lyxion, the mystical floating island in the Bermuda triangle, this group of beautiful pirates are enchanting as they are daunting, ready to steal your heart from the chest of thy keeper. Swords and armor swayed, they get ready to sail the savage seas to conquer new territory. All hunky-dory, or should I say hurdy-gurdy, they delve into the maritime chants. Powered up with modern epic metal ingredients and symphonic (slightly gothic exhumed) thematics.

GHOSTS

As a precursor to their album ‘Ghosts’ the charming quintet that hails from 1523 brings the single ,,Pirates from the Sea” to the front. I am unaware whether they are the wandering spirits of the past or the seductive demons on a vindictive hunt to rewrite history. But it is a fact these pirates are on a quest to wage war on international vessels carrying treasure and fortune.

Fortune they might find judging the band’s relentless poise and energy displayed on this first across the bow. Cannons blazing, armoring up to slaughter, the five ladies of the sea delve into a melodic outcall of spirited melodic metal. Reminiscent to Imperial Age, they sail onward.

SYMPHONIC

The music blasts in motion immediately with a repetitive chord progression boast the violin – cello – accordion-like melodies added by the dominant synths. Calling out “pirates, robbers, disobedient souls, we set course to the open sea”, the opening melody returns with ponderous drums and hard rumble. Orchestration reverbs the strong maritime theme displaying a light exotic folk-ish feel. The vocals are clean and bordering epic, much in the vein of gothic epic bands. Reverbing the theme constantly, the repetitive nesting guitar progressions are linked to the staccato phrased vocals. Chants add a darker luster.

The galloping pace is dead-on and shifts into the heavier grooved chorus. The upbeat and celebratory feel casts upheaval with high pitches from Her Majesty Maria Aurea mixed in the front. Her vocal delivery is all over clean and clear, powerfully matching the song’s tenure. The back and forth of vocalic Q & A, with somewhat neurotic underscore, adds to the luminous atmosphere. ‘Uhs’ and ‘ahs’ make it shine symphonic.

PIRATE QUEEN – THE CONCLUSION

Pirate Queen is an interesting new band. They bring forward maritime folk kind of sea chanties sung to improve moral during the long journeys overseas. This upheaval is captured well by these five grandiose dames. It might be somewhat repetitive and predictable at times, but it certainly adds volumes here. The swagger is downright wonderful and I’m more than interested to hear their full offering ‘Ghosts’ (out February 23, 2024).