Vocalist Christopher Bowes of the Scottish folk/power metal band ALESTORM has issued the following update:

"I'm sure a lot of you know that we used to be called BATTLEHEART. And we released a couple of demos in 2006, one called 'Terror On The High Seas' and one simply called 'Battleheart'. And they were kinda shite, really. But way way before that, back in the mist-veiled year of 2004, we made our first-ever recording... and holy Mary mother of Jesus, it was absolutely TERRIBLE, haha. I thought this recording was lost forever.

"But anyway, to cut a long story short, it turns out our good friend Markus from Gothenburg-based metal legends ARCHAEA had a copy of this ancient recording of 'Heavy Metal Pirates' along with an ancient rehearsal video. So being the self-loathing bastard that I am, I've uploaded it for you to laugh it. Behold my painful falsetto vocals! Behold the dreadful solos! Behold the inexplicable inclusion of the melody from 'Jump'! Here's the rehearsal video (see below) too, in all its glory. Thankfully, no vocals in this one. Just five bastards (only one of whom is still in the band) dicking about at Clearwater Studios in Perth. QUEST! Such humble beginnings, eh?"

ALESTORM has set "Black Sails at Midnight" as the title of its new album, due in the spring via Napalm Records.

The band released its debut album, "Captain Morgan's Revenge", in January 2008 through Napalm.

According to a press release, the quartet "plays Scottish 'pirate metal,' by their own definition, and musically resembles the great battle metal bands such as KORPIKLAANI or TURISAS, albeit with a unique touch and Scottish instrumentation."

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/alestorm.