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If there is a genre within Heavy Metal that would likely have a built-in expiration date, it is Pirate Metal. Seriously, style notwithstanding, how many songs can be written about this subject? Approximately halfway through my first spin of Alestorm's new album, Back through Time, as I was pondering that very question, the band answered it for me. On the song "Scraping the Barrel," Alestorm addresses criticisms that they've been doing just what the title would suggest with the lyrics "if you don't like it, start your own band!" and "when it comes to write album four, we'll be scraping the barrel once more!" Let it not be said that Alestorm is a band that takes itself too seriously.

I found Back through Time hugely entertaining and actually laughed out loud a few times. But don't let that fool you into thinking this is a joke album. The riffs are huge and insanely catchy. Alestorm expands on their traditional Power Metal leanings with some thrashier riffs and tempos this time around. The choruses sweep you along like any good drinking song should. Even Tyr's Heri Joenson lends a solo to the band's cover of the classic folk song "Barrett's Privateers." "Swashbuckled," hysterically keel-hauls fellow pirate metallers Swashbuckle with some Thrash of their own. That song, along with the title track, "Back through Time," which has pirates sailing to the 11th century to fight Vikings, are two of the album's many highlights. The songs on Back through Time are probably even better live and, in fact, you can find several fan videos of the band performing the song "Rum" all over the internet.

Leave your deep thoughts and serious ponderings at the door, this album is about fun and nothing else. Hoist a flagon of your favorite brew and enjoy the mayhem.