Calico Jack - Jack Speak Shanties (CD)

With “Jack Speak Shanties”, Italian pirate metal act Calico Jack return with a bold and imaginative release that sails into new sonic territories while remaining true to their fierce, folk-infused metal roots. Out July 18th, 2025 via Rockshots Records, the EP is a heartfelt homage to traditional sea shanties—reimagined and electrified through the band’s unmistakable blend of classic heavy metal aggression, Scandinavian folk metal flair and a deep passion for maritime lore.

Founded in Milan in 2011 by brothers Toto (guitar) and Caps (drums), Calico Jack have built their reputation on a unique sonic identity: a powerful fusion of ’80s metal attitude, melodic violins, folk instrumentation and the immersive storytelling typical of seafaring traditions. Their sound is as theatrical as it is tight, often marked by high-energy rhythms, pirate-themed refrains and a stage presence that has earned them a loyal fanbase across Italy and beyond.

Their discography includes the debut EP “Panic in the Harbour" (2013), their first full-length album in 2019 and “Isla de la Muerte” (2023) which marked their first collaboration with Rockshots Records. That record was a turning point—heavier, faster and more adventurous—earning the band new visibility through streaming success and a growing festival presence.

The new EP “Jack Speak Shanties” represents a thematic and stylistic detour: after two albums of wild Caribbean raids, Calico Jack shift course toward the cold northern seas diving into the deep heritage of sailors' chants. These songs—originally sung to endure the brutal conditions of life at sea—have long been part of the band's DNA, influencing both their lyrical themes and musical cadence.

Each of the five tracks on “Jack Speak Shanties” is a reinterpretation of a traditional sea shanty, rebuilt with a different metal substyle while preserving the original spirit and melodic essence.

- “Don’t Forget Your Old Shipmate” brings a fierce Korpiklaani-style humppa energy to a 19th-century British naval chant, made famous by the film Master and Commander.

- “The 24th of February” marries fast-paced melodic metal with melancholic undertones.

- “Spanish Ladies” slows things down into a more emotional, epic farewell.

- “Wellerman”, a viral hit of recent years, is given a powerful, rhythmic treatment reminiscent of whaling work songs.

- “Leave Her, Johnny” closes the EP with a darker, reflective tone—almost doomy—perfectly suited to the end of a sailor’s journey.


The EP boasts high-quality production that balances folk authenticity and modern metal clarity. The result is a compact, engaging release that appeals to both metalheads and folk/traditional music fans alike.
Calico Jack’s live résumé includes appearances at Germany’s Hörnerfest alongside Subway to Sally and shared stages with Folkstone, Furor Gallico, Mago de Oz, Storm Seeker, Negura Bunget, Vision Divine and Elvenking, among others. Their theatrical stage presence, thematic consistency and authentic maritime aesthetic make them a standout in the European folk/pirate metal scene.

With “Jack Speak Shanties”, Calico Jack deliver not just a tribute to the past but a vibrant and inventive crossover between folk tradition and contemporary metal—a seafaring soundtrack forged in steel, rum, and sweat.

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For fans of: Finntroll, Korpiklaani, Equilibrium, Moonsorrow, Primordial
After two Full Lenght Album, this is the Second Ep by pirate metal Calico Jack