Yo ho, yo ho, it’s a pirate’s life for us as Alestorm docked their latest tour in Minneapolis. The Scottish legends of rum-soaked chaos are currently storming the US with a set that’s as wild as it is unforgettable. The ragtag bunch has long held a reputation for bringing pure mayhem to any stage they touch. The nearly sold-out Varsity Theater was packed close to bursting with eager fans dressed in pirate hats, eye patches, and bananas, and the atmosphere was primed for an evening of unrelenting fun.

The first taste of the night came courtesy of Glyph, a band that has been turning heads in the power metal scene since their debut in 2023. They opened for Alestorm last year as well and are running it back with a brand new captain! The reveal at Mad With Power 7 of Barbara Blackthorne temporarily leading the crew has since turned into the Empress frontwoman now permanently at the helm of Glyph. This was by far the best decision the band could have made, Barbara’s vocals are simultaneously so soft yet so powerful and bring the music to life in a way only she is capable of. Rob Stoneway’s shredding is incredibly technical and precise, matched with Jeff Black’s upbeat melodies on the objectively best instrument – the keytar. Darin Wall on bass and Damien Rainaud on drums drive the beats forward with thunderous cries. All together, this crew took everyone on a fantastical journey through space. It was fun, it was epic, it was everything power metal should be. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Glyph is the future of power metal.

The night shifted from far away galaxies to the mythical land of Dundee when Gloryhammer took the stage with their over-the-top fantasy power metal. Clad in outrageous costumes and wielding a sound that felt larger than life, they led the crowd through a theatrical journey of galactic battles and magical adventures. When Sozoz Michael took over the role as Angus McFife, prince of Dundee, back in 2021, Gloryhammer got a burst of life. Sozos has one of the best voices in power metal and his vocals naturally have a regal sound that is very much necessary for a prince.

Gloryhammer’s setlist featured a little bit of everything, especially tracks from their 2023 album, Return To The Kingdom of Fife, the first album to not only feature Sozos on vocals but also introduce the fan-favourite character The Robot Prince of Auchtertool. The Robot Prince was so instantly beloved in his ~20 second introduction/death scene that he eventually got his own song, “He Has Returned,” which had some of the biggest cheers of the night when it came up in the set. Also included was their recently released single, “On a Quest For Aberdeen,” which has guitar harmonies that hit like an epic punch. The entire set worked like an open invitation for everyone to throw fists in the air and sing along as if they were all part of the epic story. Fans embraced the silliness and spectacle, chanting “Hoots” at full volume and laughing at the playful banter between band members. Zargothrax even tried to learn about ‘midwest nice’ but quickly became uninterested since, ya know, evil wizard.

When Alestorm finally arrived, the Varsity erupted with a roar that shook the walls. From the first note of “Keelhauled,” the band wasted no time pulling the crowd straight into their chaotic world of drunken pirates and cursed voyages. Chris Bowes owned the stage with a massive grin, keytar in one hand and drink in the other, while the rest of the crew churned out riffs heavy enough to rattle bones. Máté Bodor crushed solo after solo, and Gareth Murdock layed down a thick bassline to match. Elliot Vernon on keys and Peter Alcorn on drums both towered high over everyone, and made sure shenanigans were had on all levels. The traditional giant inflatable duck loomed over the entire stage. Hopefully no one in the crowd suffered from anatidaephobia, the fear of being watched by a duck, because that duck could see everything.

Rapid-fire songs kept the energy sky high, with old favourites and fresh material alike sparking massive singalongs. “The Sunk’n Norwegian” is a must-have on any Alestorm set, the melody instantly transports everyone to a pirate ship. The 2024 EP Voyage of the Dead Marauder is still featured heavily on the set, with “Uzbekistan” being one of the newest party songs, perfectly balanced with upbeat melodies and harsh vocals. A few tracks from Alestorm’s recently released eigth studio album The Thunderfist Chronicles got the spotlight as well. “Banana” is a very fun jam with kick-ass guitar solos and a catchy chorus. It’s become so popular that there was even a banana in the crowd leading the pit shenanigans and crowdsurfing. “Killed To Death By Piracy” is so iconically ‘Alestorm’y that it genuinely feels like it’s been around a lot longer than just four months. It’s right up there with “Keelhauled” and “Mexico” in terms of songs that define the band. The crowd turned into a sea of movement, bodies swaying and jumping in unison with the driving rhythm. Songs about treasure, rum, and chaos were belted out by hundreds of voices, each one eager to match Bowes’s manic energy. The band thrived on this, feeding the frenzy with every chorus and riff. There was a real sense of camaraderie in the air, as if the entire room had boarded the same pirate ship together.

The biggest highlight of the night came when Barbara Blackthorne returned to the stage, this time lending her powerful vocals to Alestorm’s set. Just like during their tour together last year, she joined the pirates for “Zombies Ate My Pirate Ship” and “Voyage of the Dead Marauder,” as well as a new track from The Thunderfist Chronicles “Frozen Piss 2,” instantly elevating the show to another level. Her commanding voice meshed perfectly with Chris Bowes’s gruff yet playful delivery, the two trading lines like a storm at sea colliding with a wave of fire. The crowd went berserk for this collaboration, singing even louder and raising fists higher in celebration. It was one of those rare live moments that felt genuinely special, a combination of talent and chemistry that is truly unforgettable.

The night closed with the band’s signature blend of chaos and joy, every last ounce of energy wrung out of both the musicians and the crowd. As is tradition for an Alestorm show, the set closed with “Fucked With an Anchor,” giving Chris a chance to personally flip off as many people as he possibly could, middle fingers held high. By the end, the Varsity Theater looked less like a concert hall and more like the aftermath of a legendary sea battle, with smiling faces scattered across the deck. For those who came looking for a party at sea without leaving the midwest, this show was everything they could have hoped for, and so much more.

September 23rd, 2025