David Halbe 
The lyrics are as dopey as they are catchy, and I’ve found myself humming the main chorus more times than I care to admit. Throw in some questionable cross-dressing, hilarious facial expressions and the nautical naughtiness of the high seas and we have an effort with a ton of replay ability.
About 10 years ago I discovered pirate metal. I saw Alestorm for the first time during the ‘Pagan Fest’ tour at Reggie’s (2105 S State St, Chicago, IL 60616) with Arkona and Turistas, I thought the band was amazing, metal riffs laced with songs about wenches, wine and water, as soon as I saw the keytar I know I was hooked.
I followed the band fervently even interviewing Christopher Bowes (vocals, keyboards) when Alestorm played The Forge (22 W Cass St, Joliet, IL 60432) with Swashbuckle and The Dread Crew of Oddwood.
Time has taken its toll on pirate metal, reducing the once celebrated genre into something more akin to a fad. Aside from Alestorm I’d all but given up on the genre until I stumbled upon a band called Rumahoy.
They are a Scottish metal band formed back in 2011. However, they are now currently based in the United States (North Carolina). Rumahoy calls themselves the “World’s Best True Scottish Pirate Metal Band”, a joke referring to Alestorm, who call themselves the “World’s Second Best True Scottish Pirate Metal Band”.
Their music blends pirate metal, folk metal, and power metal into something refreshing and unique. The lyrics and on-stage presence of the band is entirely dedicated to pirate metal and their themes.
The band has released two studio albums: The Triumph of Piracy (2018) and Time II: Party (2019) both efforts were discharged via Napalm Records. A new single and video for the track “Not Looking For Love” was unveiled back in 2022.
The “Not Looking For Love” music video is what got me into the band. Appearing as a cross between the piracy of Alestorm and tongue and cheek sexual inuendo of The Mentors, I had to give this group a listen and to be perfectly honest, I was not disappointed.
The lyrics are as dopey as they are catchy, and I’ve found myself humming the main chorus more times than I care to admit. Throw in some questionable cross-dressing, hilarious facial expressions and the nautical naughtiness of the high seas and we have an effort with a ton of replay ability.
Listen up you scallywags! It’s time to bust out that bottle of rum and enjoy some quality pirate metal Arrrrhh! \m/
RUMAHOY is:
- Captain Yarrface – Vocals
- Bootsman Walktheplank – Guitars
- Swashbuckling Pete – Drums
- Cabin Boy Treasurequest – Bass
