Aye aye, captain! Scottish pirate metal stalwarts Alestorm once again set sail for the legendary Hellfest Open Air Festival in Clisson, France, delivering a swashbuckling performance on June 18, 2026. This appearance marked a celebratory return for the band, following their 2025 album release, "The Thunderfist Chronicles," and their previous Hellfest outings in 2015 and 2022. Known for their unique blend of folk and power metal, Alestorm, originally formed as Battleheart in 2004, has carved out a niche with their self-proclaimed "true Scottish pirate metal."
The band's live shows are renowned for their high energy and infectious singalongs, transforming festival grounds into a raucous pirate ship. Their setlist at Hellfest 2026, featuring fan favorites like "Keelhauled," "Mexico," and the anthemic "Drink," perfectly showcased their signature style. Alestorm's music is a rollicking journey through tales of buccaneers, mythical sea monsters, epic naval battles, and, of course, plenty of rum and revelry. Their unpretentious yet exhilarating anthems are designed to ignite the crowd, providing enough courage to face down a kraken or two. This concert captures Alestorm in their element, delivering a memorable performance that solidifies their reputation as one of metal's most entertaining and distinctive acts.