Sold to Slavery by Pirates is a provocative and immersive album by Damian, enriched with new images and texts by Naked Peril, that delves into the harrowing history of the white slave trade perpetrated by Barbary Pirates from 1500 to the 1860s. Through a blend of haunting music, vivid storytelling, and evocative visuals, the album captures the brutal realities faced by thousands of Europeans—men, women, and children—abducted from coastal regions as far apart as Southern Europe, the British Isles, and Scandinavia. The album serves as both an artistic exploration and a historical reflection, shedding light on a lesser-known chapter of slavery where an estimated 850,000 to 1,250,000 captives were enslaved between 1530 and 1780 to replenish the Ottoman Empire’s slave markets.

The narrative follows the journey of captives, particularly young women, from their violent capture at sea to their dehumanizing treatment in slave markets and beyond. Damian’s work portrays the pirates’ raids, the perilous voyages, and the cruel fates awaiting captives—ranging from sexual exploitation and forced labor to torture and public auctions. Key scenes, such as the presentation of naked female captives to powerful figures like Barbarossa, highlight the commodification and degradation of human lives. The album’s extended content, including detailed texts and striking imagery, amplifies its raw intensity, offering listeners a visceral connection to the captives’ suffering and resilience amidst a barbarous world.