Calico Jack veröffentlichen EP "Jack Speak Shanties"
After rousing listeners with the blazing Caribbean adventures of "Isla de la Muerte" and their self-titled debut, italian pirate metal act Calico Jack drop anchor once again—this time in colder, saltier waters—with the official release of their new EP "Jack Speak Shanties".
A bold and imaginative departure from their usual cannon-blazing originals, "Jack Speak Shanties" is a seafaring tribute to the traditional sea shanties that have inspired the band since day one. Across five reinterpretations of timeless nautical songs, the band breathe new life into historic melodies, infusing them with the grit, theatrics and metallic fury that have defined Calico Jack’s unmistakable style.
To mark the release, the band introduce the new single “Wellerman” accompanied by an evocative official music video. Perhaps the most iconic sea shanty of all, “Wellerman” is a 19th-century whaling song from New Zealand that has charmed generations of sailors and landlubbers alike. Calico Jack reimagine it with a solemn, martial energy inspired by Scandinavian folk and viking metal—enriched with original riffs and cinematic depth.
In the video, the band steps away from their usual Golden Age of Piracy imagery, transforming instead into rugged 1800s whalers—weathered sea wolves with cracked skin and salt-worn faces—offering a new visual narrative for this timeless anthem.
"Jack Speak Shanties" was first introduced to the public with the single “Don’t Forget Your Old Shipmate”, released on May 16th alongside a spirited official video. The EP was then previewed live during an explosive and successful performance at Feudalesimo & Libertà Festival (May 17th, Live Club, Trezzo sull’Adda), where fans had exclusive early access to physical copies.
From the solemn cadence of “Wellerman” to the Celtic flair of “Off to Sea Once More”, the Finntroll-inspired war cry “The 24th of February” and the melancholic farewell of “Spanish Ladies”, each track on the EP bridges past and present, proudly flying the Calico Jack banner of folk-infused pirate metal.
“This record is a love letter to the songs that shaped our identity,” says guitarist and main songwriter Toto. “Sea shanties are the foundation of maritime folklore—and with this EP, we wanted to pay homage to them while staying true to our own piratical, wild sound.”
Entirely self-produced — except for vocals and fiddle recorded at Banana Studios — "Jack Speak Shanties" represents a new level of artistic independence for Calico Jack. The band took full control of the recording, mixing and mastering process, achieving a sound that most closely reflects their creative vision.
The EP was first conceived by bassist Giggi, a real-life sailor, who curated the shanty selection with care and authenticity. The result is a vivid and energetic tribute to maritime tradition—an eclectic, rum-soaked voyage across the seven seas.
LISTEN: www.lnk.to/fXbPpb
VIDEO for "Wellerman": https://youtu.be/ZfLdwp_ab_s
ALBUM TO BE ORDER: https://rockshots.eu/products/calico-jack-jack-speak-shanties-cd
Calico Jack was founded in 2011 by the brothers Toto (rhythm guitar) and Caps (drums). The band goal was to blend the attitude of 80’s classic heavy metal with modern Scandinavian folk metal and to wrap everything in a maritime atmosphere, inspired by folk songs and sea shanties of the Anglo-Saxon tradition.
In June 2013 Calico Jack entered the Frequencies Studio of Monza to record an EP entitled "Panic In The Harbour" containing 4 brand new songs that combined the power of classic heavy with a massive amount of alcoholic folk. In 2019 the band released their first full-length album recorded at the Twilight Studio of Davide Tavecchia with the collaboration of Laura Brancorsini (Furor Gallico) for the violin parts and then at the Elnor Studio of Mattia Stancioiu(Labyrinth, Crown of Autumn) for mixing and mastering.
In 2023 the band signed with the Italian label Rockshots Records and released their second album "Isla de la Muerte", recorded at Elnor Studios. The album increases the rate of heaviness and speed of the band's pirate metal but the structure and style of the songs are also more varied than in the past. The album contains "Broadside Attack" the band's most successful single to date.
In the following years the live activity continued with many forays along the coasts of Italy, a participation at Hörnerfest in Germany alongside Subway to Sally and opening dates for Folkstone, Furor Gallico, Negura Bunget, Mago De Oz, Storm Seeker, Diabula Rasa, Vision Divine and Elvenking.
Tracklist
1. Wellerman
2. Don’t Forget your Old Shipmate
3. Off to Sea Once More
4. The 24th of February
5. Spanish Ladies
Rockshots Records on the web: www.rockshots.eu
https://www.facebook.com/CalicoJackOfficial
https://www.calicojacktheband.altervista.org/base/index.html
Quelle: Rockshots Records