Hubbry Logo
Back Through TimeBack Through TimeMain
Open search
Back Through Time
Community hub
Back Through Time
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Back Through Time
Back Through Time
Back Through Time
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Back Through Time
Studio album by
Alestorm
Released3 June 2011
RecordedJanuary–March 2011
StudioLSD Studios, Lübeck, Germany
Genre
Length40:07
LabelNapalm[5]
ProducerLasse Lammert[6]
Alestorm chronology
Black Sails at Midnight
(2009) 		Back Through Time
(2011) 		Sunset on the Golden Age
(2014)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
About.comStarStarStar[7]
AllMusicStarStarStarStar[8]
Dangerdog Music ReviewsStarStarStarHalf star[2]
EspyRockStarStarStarStarStarStar[9]
Hardrock HavenStarStarStarStarStarStarStarHalf star[1]
Jukebox MetalStarStar[10]
Metal Review(8.3/10)[11]
Reflections of DarknessStarStarStarStarStarStarStarStarHalf star[3]
RevolverStarStarStar[12]
Rock SoundStarStarStarStarStarStarStar[4]

Back Through Time is the third studio album by Scottish heavy metal band Alestorm. It was released on 3 June 2011 by Napalm Records and is the first Alestorm recording to feature Gareth Murdock on bass and Peter Alcorn on drums.[6][13][14] The album is available in jewelcase, digipack, LP and special edition boxset formats which includes two bonus cover songs.[6][15] Alestorm did a Back Through Time World Tour starting in Australia and New Zealand.[16][17] The album reached number 42 on the German albums chart.[18]

Track listing

[edit]
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Back Through Time"Christopher BowesChristopher Bowes5:03
2."Shipwrecked"Christopher BowesChristopher Bowes3:31
3."The Sunk'n Norwegian"Christopher BowesChristopher Bowes4:07
4."Midget Saw"Christopher Bowes & Alan CarrChristopher Bowes & Peter Alcorn3:18
5."Buckfast Powersmash"Christopher Bowes & Tim ShawChristopher Bowes2:33
6."Scraping the Barrel"Christopher BowesChristopher Bowes4:40
7."Rum"Christopher BowesChristopher Bowes3:29
8."Swashbuckled"Christopher BowesChristopher Bowes3:53
9."Rumpelkombo"Chris Boltendahl[19]Christopher Bowes0:07
10."Barrett's Privateers" (Stan Rogers cover)Stan RogersStan Rogers4:41
11."Death Throes of the Terrorsquid"Christopher BowesChristopher Bowes7:45
Total length:40:07
LTD edition bonus tracks
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
12."I Am a Cider Drinker" (The Wurzels cover)Tommy Banner, Pete BuddJohannes Bouwens2:58
13."You Are a Pirate" (LazyTown cover)Mark Valenti, Ken PontacMark Valenti, Ken Pontac1:33
Total length:44:38

[15]

Personnel

[edit]
  • Christopher Bowes – lead vocals, keyboards
  • Dani Evans – guitars, backing vocals
  • Gareth Murdock – bass, backing vocals
  • Peter Alcorn – drums

With:

  • Lord Jaldaboath – narration (track 1)
  • Ken Sorceron (Abigail Williams) – co-lead vocals (track 11)
  • Lasse Lammert – guitar solo (track 6), vibraslap
  • Heri Joensen (Týr) – guitar solo (track 10)
  • Chris Jones – accordion
  • Maria Odvody – violin
  • Tobias Hain – trumpet
  • Florian Frambach – trumpet
  • Derek Fobaire – trombone
  • Hans-Jørgen Martinus Hansen (Svartsot) – whistles
  • Brenden Casey – backing vocals
  • Gordon Krei – orchestral arrangements, programming

Charts

[edit]
Chart (2011) Peak
position
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[20] 42
UK Independent Albums (OCC)[21] 29
UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC)[22] 12
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard[23] 23

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Back Through Time

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Back Through Time is the third studio by the Scottish band , released on 3 June 2011 by . The features a blend of heavy metal with folk elements, incorporating instruments such as violins, accordions, and horns to create catchy, anthemic tracks centered on pirate adventures, , and revelry. Produced by Lasse Lammert at Studios in , , it marks a refined evolution in the band's sound, building on their signature humorous and theatrical style. The record includes eleven tracks, such as the title song "Back Through Time," the upbeat "Shipwrecked," and the extended epic "Death Throes of the Terrorsquid," which spans 7:46 and showcases the band's progressive tendencies. Lyrics, primarily written by frontman Christopher Bowes, emphasize themes of time travel, shipwrecks, and boozy escapades, maintaining Alestorm's lighthearted approach to heavy metal. Upon release, Back Through Time debuted at number 42 on the German Media Control chart and number 24 on the US Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart, selling approximately 1,200 copies in its first week in the United States. Critically, the album was well-received for its energetic production and engaging songwriting, with reviewers praising its lack of filler tracks and infectious melodies, though some noted its formulaic adherence to the genre. It solidified Alestorm's position in the power metal and scenes, contributing to their growing international fanbase through tours and festival appearances following its launch.

Background and production

Album development

Back Through Time is the third studio album by the Scottish pirate metal band Alestorm, succeeding their debut Captain Morgan's Revenge (2008) and follow-up Black Sails at Midnight (2009). It marked the first full-length release to feature drummer Peter Alcorn, with permanent bassist Gareth Murdock (who had joined in 2008 after founding member Dani Evans shifted from bass to guitar following the departure of guitarist Gavin Harper), and Alcorn, who replaced Ian Wilson in March 2010 after Wilson's abrupt departure. These lineup stabilizations allowed Alestorm to solidify their core sound ahead of recording. The album's development reflected an evolution in Alestorm's persona, incorporating elements to introduce fresh narratives beyond traditional sea shanties and pirate lore. This shift was partly inspired by fan feedback and critical commentary questioning the band's ability to sustain their thematic focus, prompting them to address detractors directly in tracks like "Scraping the Barrel." Frontman Christopher Bowes aimed to expand creatively, drawing from the band's diverse influences—including punk, , and symphonic elements—to experiment with "ridiculous ideas" and avoid predictable formulas. The motif enabled humorous historical clashes, such as pirates battling , blending the band's signature whimsy with broader conceptual adventures. Pre-production began in late 2010, with Bowes leading the songwriting process to craft a collection of playful, pirate-infused anthems that maintained Alestorm's upbeat while incorporating new rhythmic and structural ideas, including more blast beats contributed by Alcorn. The band fully composed the material prior to entering the studio, ensuring a focused and efficient creative phase that responded to their growing audience's expectations for innovative yet accessible heavy metal. This preparatory work set the stage for recording in early 2011, emphasizing the group's commitment to evolving their sound without abandoning their humorous roots.

Recording and production

The recording sessions for Back Through Time took place from January to February 2011 at LSD Studios in , . Lasse Lammert produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered the album, applying his expertise to deliver a refined heavy metal production layered with folk influences that amplified the band's signature aesthetic. Christopher Bowes performed on keyboards throughout the album, utilizing synth effects and simulations to reinforce the pirate and folk atmosphere central to 's sound. Guest contributors enriched the recordings with orchestral and choral textures for an epic dimension, including brass from trumpeters Florian Frambach and Tobias Hain, trombonist Derek Forbair, violinist Maria Odvody, and orchestral arrangements programmed by Gordon Krei; additional backing vocals by Brendan Casey provided choir-like support.

Music and themes

Musical style

Back Through Time exemplifies , a subgenre pioneered by that fuses folk metal's acoustic and traditional elements with power metal's soaring melodies and thrash metal's aggressive riffs, often structured around infectious refrains designed for communal participation. The album's core sound draws from these influences to create an upbeat, party-oriented heaviness, with tempos that range from mid-paced grooves to rapid blasts, emphasizing the band's commitment to high-energy escapism tied loosely to adventures. Central to the instrumentation is the guitar work by Dani Evans, delivering intricate riffs and harmonized leads that anchor the power metal foundation, complemented by Gareth Murdock's prominent bass lines that provide a thunderous low-end drive. Peter Alcorn's drumming adds relentless propulsion through fast-paced patterns and double-bass assaults, enhancing the album's dynamic shifts from folk-infused verses to metal crescendos. Folk elements are amplified by keyboards played by Christopher Bowes, alongside guest violins, accordions, and horns, which infuse maritime authenticity and melodic hooks reminiscent of 18th-century pirate anthems. Tracks like "Shipwrecked" showcase thrashy speed with blistering riffs and rapid pacing, while "Midget Saw" stands out for its high-energy breakdowns featuring crushing, groove-heavy rhythms and frantic percussion that blend humor with intensity. The production, overseen by Lasse Lammert at LSD Studio, delivers a clean and polished sound that balances the genre's bombast with clarity, allowing sing-along choruses and keyboard-driven melodies to shine without overwhelming the heavy instrumentation. This approach ensures every layer—from riff-driven aggression to folk flourishes—remains distinct and engaging, heightening the album's anthemic quality.

Lyrics and concepts

The lyrics of Back Through Time, primarily penned by Alestorm's frontman Christopher Bowes, center on fantastical escapades undertaken by pirates, weaving a tapestry of absurd historical clashes and seafaring mayhem. The title track, "Back Through Time," exemplifies this by depicting a pirate crew using a to voyage six centuries into the past, where they engage in a chaotic battle against , pitting cannons and -fueled bravado against axes and Norse gods. This narrative highlights anachronistic confrontations, with lines like "You put your faith in and Thor / We put ours in cannons and whores" underscoring the pirates' technological edge in a satirical showdown. Similarly, "Rum" captures drunken escapades as the crew prioritizes boozing over peril, declaring as the ultimate that "gets me so drunk, until my head starts to spin," blending revelry with in a pirate's chaotic world. Bowes employs a humorous and satirical tone throughout, laced with references to alcohol and deliberate historical distortions to lampoon pirate tropes. In "Buckfast Powersmash," the band satirizes the Scottish obsession with —a cheap, caffeinated produced by monks—portraying pirates sailing from to raid an abbey for supplies, only to unleash "powersmash" chaos with chants of burning cloisters and endless toasts. The song's exaggerated portrayal of the drink as "Lurgan Champagne" mocks its reputation for inciting mayhem among youth, while anachronisms like global export jokes (to and ) amplify the absurdity. This levity extends to broader motifs, such as self-deprecating nods to the band's formulaic style in "Scraping the Barrel," where Bowes pokes fun at endless pirate songwriting with lines about mining "the bottom of the barrel" for ideas. Bowes' writing style favors narrative-driven songs that parody exploration and misfortune, often through rowdy, shanty-like storytelling. "The Sunk'n Norwegian," for instance, narrates a visit to a dingy tavern named after a wrecked ship, populated by scoundrels and hellish figures, where the crew demands "one more drink" amid tales of doom and camaraderie, evoking a parody of shipwreck lore and aimless voyages. This approach transforms historical or mythical elements into comedic vignettes, emphasizing verbal escapism over solemnity. Collectively, the album evokes a loose structure, linking tracks into a pirate intermittently shattered by time shifts, from Viking raids to heists and brawls, creating a disjointed yet cohesive saga of boozy . Bowes has described this as drawing from an inexhaustible well of "stupid shit" in pirate lore, ensuring thematic unity through humor rather than rigid plotting.

Release and promotion

Commercial release

Back Through Time was released on 3 June 2011 in via , with the North American release occurring on 14 June 2011. The album was made available in multiple physical formats, including a standard jewel case , digipak edition, vinyl LP, and a limited . The featured two exclusive bonus cover songs—"I Am a Cider Drinker" by and "You Are a Pirate," a of the LazyTown theme—along with additional merchandise such as a and patch. Initial market availability leveraged Napalm Records' established distribution network, focusing on audiences in the metal and folk metal genres. The album's release occurred during the Back Through Time World Tour, which had begun on May 10, 2011, in Perth, Australia.

Marketing and tours

The promotion of Back Through Time centered on the release of the "Shipwrecked," which debuted with an official on May 20, 2011, via . The video captured the band's signature humorous pirate aesthetics through exaggerated shipwreck scenarios, alcohol-fueled chaos, and CGI-enhanced maritime mayhem, setting the tone for the album's adventurous spirit. To further amplify their theatrical live persona, Alestorm incorporated high-energy performances of album tracks into promotional appearances, emphasizing the record's folk-metal hooks and narrative flair during early shows. While no additional official music videos were released specifically for the album in 2011, the band leveraged live footage and fan engagement to build anticipation around songs like "The Sunk'n Norwegian," which highlighted their boisterous stage antics. The Back Through Time World Tour launched on May 10, 2011, at Amplifier Bar in Perth, , initiating the Australian and leg with headline dates across major cities. This was followed by European dates in June and July, the Heidenfest 2011 package tour in September and October alongside and , and a North American run in August and September supporting Kamelot's Pandemonium tour, extending the album's reach to over 50 shows worldwide. Promotional tie-ins included key festival slots such as Masters of Rock in Vizovice, , on July 14, where the band debuted full setlists from the album, and Dokk'em Open Air in Bornwird, , on , blending new material with crowd-favorite covers to energize audiences. These events featured robust sales of themed merchandise, including custom pirate flags, rum bottle openers, and album-exclusive apparel, reinforcing the band's immersive branding.

Reception and impact

Critical response

Upon its release, Back Through Time received generally positive reviews from metal critics, who praised its humorous lyrics, catchy choruses, and energetic blend of folk and elements, though some noted its formulaic approach and reliance on recurring pirate and alcohol-themed tropes. The was seen as a , lighthearted continuation of Alestorm's signature style, appealing to fans of party-oriented metal. Reviewers highlighted the album's infectious energy and standout tracks, with Sputnikmusic commending the epic, sing-along choruses and enjoyable songs like "Shipwrecked," which captured the band's playful spirit despite overall repetition concerns. Teeth of the Divine lauded the title track "Back Through Time" for its inventive battle concept involving pirates clashing with Vikings through a time portal, noting the heavier guitar tone and improved production that added seriousness without sacrificing fun. The Metal Crypt echoed this, awarding 4 out of 5 stars for the huge, catchy riffs and humorous drinking songs like "Rum," which evoked lively crowd participation. MyGlobalMind gave it 9 out of 10, praising the return to pirate-themed whimsy and epic closer "Death Throes of the Terror Squid" as a step forward from the band's previous effort. Criticisms focused on the album's lack of innovation, with rating it 3.1 out of 5 and calling it an exhausting rehash of prior material, scraping the bottom of the gimmick barrel. Some outlets, including MetalReviews, pointed to an over-reliance on alcohol and motifs, questioning if the joke had worn thin after three albums. Through the Shattered Lens described much of the content as mundane, lamenting the abandonment of the title track's promising concept for shallower lyrical territory. acknowledged the absence of throwaway tracks but noted it wouldn't appeal to those seeking deeper innovation. Aggregate scores from available professional reviews positioned Back Through Time as a solid, entertaining entry in the genre, averaging around 75 out of 100 across sites like Album of the Year (critic score of 80 based on one review and user score of 75) and user aggregates on (3.36 out of 5).

Chart performance and sales

"Back Through Time" debuted at number 42 on the German Albums Chart. In the United States, the album entered the Heatseekers Albums chart at number 24 and sold approximately 1,200 copies in its first week. In the second week, sales dropped to 540 copies. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number 29 on the Independent Albums Chart with one week on the listing. The album also reached number 12 on the Rock & Metal Albums Chart. The release earned no major certifications worldwide. Its chart performance, combined with supporting tours, helped establish Alestorm's dedicated niche audience in the heavy metal genre.

Credits

Track listing

The standard edition of Back Through Time features 11 tracks with a total running time of 43:02. Songwriting credits are primarily attributed to Christopher Bowes, with contributions from band members and guests on select tracks.
No.TitleDurationWriter(s)
1Back Through Time5:03Christopher Bowes
2Shipwrecked3:30Christopher Bowes
3The Sunk'n Norwegian4:07Christopher Bowes,
4Midget Saw3:18Christopher Bowes, Peter Alcorn (music), (lyrics)
5Buckfast Powersmash2:33Christopher Bowes, (music), Tim Shaw (lyrics)
6Scraping the Barrel4:40Christopher Bowes,
73:29Christopher Bowes, Gareth Murdock
8Swashbuckled3:53Christopher Bowes,
9Rumpelkombo0:06Christopher Bowes
104:41, arranged by Christopher Bowes
11Death Throes of the Terrorsquid7:46Christopher Bowes
The limited edition digibook and boxset versions include two additional bonus tracks. "I Am a Cider Drinker" is a cover of the 1976 song by (originally based on "" by ), lasting 3:00. "You Are a Pirate" is a parody of the theme song from the children's TV show , written by Kenny Ortiz (as Ken Pontac) and Máni Svavarsson, with a duration of 1:33.

Personnel

The core lineup for Alestorm's Back Through Time consisted of Christopher Bowes on lead vocals and keyboards, Dani Evans (credited as Daniel Evans) on guitars and backing vocals, Gareth Murdock on bass guitar and backing vocals, and Peter Alcorn on drums. This marked the first Alestorm album featuring Murdock and Alcorn as full members. Additional musicians included Brendan Casey on backing vocals, Chris Jones on , Derek Fobaire on , Florian Frambach and Tobias Hain on , Maria Odvody on , and Hans-Jørgen Martinus Hansen on whistles. Orchestral arrangements and additional programming were handled by Gordon Krei, with additional arrangements by Ben Turk and Paul Templing. Guest contributions featured Lasse Lammert on for track 6 and , Lord Jaldaboath providing narration on track 1, Heri Joensen on for track 10, and Ken Sorceron on vocals for track 11. The album was produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered by Lasse Lammert at LSD Studios in , . Artwork was created by Ingo Römling, with photography by Audrey Dujardin.

References

  1. https://alestorm.bandcamp.com/album/back-through-time
  2. https://blabbermouth.net/news/alestorm-back-through-time-first-week-sales-revealed
  3. https://napalmrecords.com/english/back-through-time-cd.html
  4. https://www.discogs.com/master/342346-Alestorm-Back-Through-Time
  5. https://genius.com/albums/Alestorm/Back-through-time
  6. https://www.allmusic.com/album/back-through-time-mw0002132976
  7. https://metalstorm.net/pub/reviews.php?r_what=p&r_where=substr%2528b.bandname%252C1%252C1%2529&orderby=rating&page=59
  8. https://www.teethofthedivine.com/featured/interview-with-alestorm-2/
  9. https://www.last.fm/music/Alestorm/%2Bwiki
  10. https://www.spirit-of-metal.com/en/interview/Alestorm_%28en%29/4858
  11. https://www.guitarworld.com/features/interview-dani-evans-and-christopher-bowes-alestorm
  12. https://www.metal-archives.com/albums/Alestorm/Back_Through_Time/302666
  13. https://www.discogs.com/release/2923963-Alestorm-Back-Through-Time
  14. https://blabbermouth.net/news/alestorm-back-through-time-album-details-revealed
  15. https://www.metal-archives.com/reviews/Alestorm/Back_Through_Time_-_%25E3%2583%2590%25E3%2583%2583%25E3%2582%25AF%25E3%2583%25BB%25E3%2582%25B9%25E3%2583%25AB%25E3%2583%25BC%25E3%2583%25BB%25E3%2582%25BF%25E3%2582%25A4%25E3%2583%25A0/459008/
  16. https://www.discogs.com/release/2977196-Alestorm-Back-Through-Time
  17. https://yourlastrites.com/2011/06/08/alestorm-back-through-time-review/
  18. http://www.lasselammert.com/references.php
  19. https://www.metalunderground.com/reviews/details.cfm?releaseid=4884
  20. https://genius.com/Alestorm-rum-lyrics
  21. https://www.bravewords.com/reviews/alestorm-back-through-time/
  22. https://genius.com/Alestorm-buckfast-powersmash-lyrics
  23. http://www.twoguysmetalreviews.com/2011/06/back-through-time-alestorm.html
  24. https://genius.com/Alestorm-the-sunkn-norwegian-lyrics
  25. https://danswin.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/alestorm-back-through-time/
  26. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/alestorm/2011/amplifier-perth-australia-5bd06b78.html
  27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggyC0FOzqHM
  28. https://blabbermouth.net/news/alestorm-shipwrecked-video-released
  29. https://blabbermouth.net/news/finntroll-turisas-alestorm-arkona-heidenfest-2011-tour-dates-announced
  30. https://ultimatemetal.com/threads/alestorm-back-through-time.671704/
  31. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/alestorm/2011/areal-likerky-r-jelinek-vizovice-czechia-1bd34570.html
  32. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/alestorm/2011/festivalterrein-bornwird-netherlands-23d33c27.html
  33. http://www.metal-nose.org/news.php?item.1175.25
  34. https://www.metalcrypt.com/pages/review.php?revid=7033
  35. https://myglobalmind.com/2011/06/17/alestorm-back-through-time/
  36. https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/43777/Alestorm-Back-Through-Time/
  37. https://www.teethofthedivine.com/reviews/alestorm-back-through-time/
  38. https://www.metalreviews.com/reviews/album/7152
  39. https://unobtainium13.com/2011/06/28/review-alestorm-back-through-time/
  40. https://www.albumoftheyear.org/album/102052-alestorm-back-through-time.php
  41. https://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/alestorm/back-through-time-7/
  42. https://metalinsider.net/columns/metal-by-numbers/metal-by-numbers-629-sales-are-burning-red-hot
  43. https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/independent-albums-chart/20110612/131/
  44. https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/20745/alestorm/
  45. https://www.discogs.com/release/9084016-Alestorm-Back-Through-Time
  46. https://www.discogs.com/release/6213582-Alestorm-Back-Through-Time
  47. https://musicbrainz.org/release/adcdbe08-cdf9-4320-bf7a-43d2505879ba
  48. https://www.discogs.com/release/17862367-Alestorm-Back-Through-Time
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.