Alestorm Video Shooting in Belgrade, photographer Jovan Ristić
Arrgh! New ALESTORM album ahoy! “No Grave but the Sea” sounds just like you’d expect these lovable, Scottish metal pirates to sound. With titles such as “Mexico”, “Fucked with an Anchor” and “Pegleg Potion” you know you’re in for a bombastic, accordion-laced metal with lyrics that clearly show the band doesn’t take themselves too seriously.
Alestorm Video Shooting in Belgrade, photographer Jovan Ristić
The video for a track named for the band (“Alestorm”, in case you forgot) carries the same spirit. Their previous videos were received rather well by their fans (save for those who keep insisting on more pirate ships). Therefore, the band followed that old saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” and turned to Icode once again.
The story picks up where the video for “Magnetic North” left off, stranding the band in the middle of nowhere. There they find a sign saying that Alestorm is playing a club called The Barrel. The band enters the club, only to find their miniature versions playing to an ecstatic crowd. Unhappy with the fact that someone is taking the credit for their style the band starts a brawl with their miniature doppelgangers.
Alestorm Video Shooting in Belgrade, photographer Jovan Ristić
What makes the video particularly authentic is the crowd made up of boys and girls of all ages. They all gathered at the Fest club to support the band and for the chance to star in the goofy pirates’ video. There were even those too young to have seen the band when they performed back in 2010 alongside Sabaton.
It was hard not to take notice of the excitement on everyone’s faces, from the director to the crowd and band members themselves. Christopher Bowes was the first not to contain the excitement, telling his band members: “I can’t believe it. We haven’t even published the song, they’ve never even heard it and they are all signing. We have a new hit!” The rest of the band were also glad to see the excited crowd filled with mosh pits, girls high on guys’ shoulders and crowd surfers. Just like at a real gig. No doubt this was exactly what gave the video its authentic feel.
Alestorm Video Shooting in Belgrade, photographer Jovan Ristić
The crowd was visibly excited as well. The atmosphere was pretty much what you’d expect from a full-on show. Everybody was more than glad that the band was in a chatty mood, willing to take selfies and goof around. The band chanted to the lyrics of “Drink” and a popular local tune, “Đurđevdan” (free beer if you read that right).
Alestorm Video Shooting in Belgrade, photographer Jovan Ristić
All the shots were recorded in just a few takes and the shooting was over pretty early. The crowd said their goodbyes to the band, each fan going their own way. All the equipment was cleared out and we were left to sum the experience up. The band expressed their desire to come back to do a show this time, with a proper stage, proper instruments and hopefully an even better atmosphere.
[…] last time Alestorm was here recording a video for their self-titled track, the band recruited local extras to recreate a club show. Judging by […]