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Pirate Metal

      
         
         
         
     
             
Shtack are a heavy metal band from the Netherlands formed in 2008 mixing elements of folk, pirate and death metal. The result may be of an acquired taste, but there is plenty on offer to please a diverse range of fans.    
             
'Intro (Graveyard Of The Sea)' opens the album with the sounds of pirates drinking at a bar and if you close your eyes it's almost like you are actually there. Mid way through the song the music starts and is dark and atmospheric, leading into 'Jolly Roger' which after a huge pounding intro settles into a thunderous chug with death metal style vocals. 'Fatty Spencer' picks up the pace and rumbles along, the vocals jumping between death and clean.     
             
If you think that Shtack are just a humorous one off project, then think again. The title song 'Pirate Metal' is anthemic and epic with its foot stomping rhythm, powerful vocals, thunderous drumming and acoustic breakdown. 'Short Lovesong' is a one minute wonder. It's fast, it's thunderous and has an awesome guitar solo. The acoustic intro for 'Rock The Brazilian' gives way to a rumbling rhythmic chug and an excellent vocal performance. This is a head banging, fists in the air foot stomping song. 'Satesaus' has some great guitar work and a deep, death growl vocal.    
             
'S.H.T.A.C.K.' slows the pace and rumbles along with an relentless chug, picking up the pace at intervals like an express train. 'Boeresjtink' is short, quirky and weird yet thunderous in its delivery as it furiously flies by. The curiously titled 'Hikke Pikke Takke Teef' has one of the best vocal performances on the album and with it's furious rhythm, powerful drumming and excellent guitar work it is a very good song. The album ends with the foot stomping 'Captain Iglo' which exhibits a hard rock tendency and really good guitar work. A cracking end to a cracking album.    
             
Overall, an interesting album, fusing folk, pirate and death metal into a sparkling mix of thunderous, foot stomping songs, definitely worth listening to.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Shtack    
             
             
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