Skyclad are often referred to as ‘The Originators of ‘Folk-Metal’ – a sub-genre of metal that mixes thrash/speed metal elements with traditional instruments and folk-style melodies – as typified by their seminal album ‘The Wayward Sons Of Mother Earth’ (1991). The band produced a string of highly acclaimed albums – ‘A Burnt Offering For The Bone Idol’ (1992), ‘Jonah’s Ark’ (1993), ‘The Prince Of The Poverty Line (1994) and ‘The Silent Whales Of Lunacy’ (1995) - and gained a reputation as a powerful and energetic live act with many European tour and festival appearances (such as Dynamo Festival, 1992).
During the late 90’s, despite several line-up changes, the band continued to develop and experiment with their musical style - producing albums such as ‘Irrational Anthems (1996), ‘Oui Avant Garde a Chance’ (1996), ‘The Answer Machine’ (1997) and ‘Vintage Whine’ (1999) – they even undertook several ‘unplugged’ tours across Europe alongside appearances at festivals such as Wacken Open Air (1998) and ‘The Gods Of Metal’ (1999) before returning with a more ‘metal’ album, ‘Folkemon’ in 2000.
Whilst Folkemon proved to be the last album for founder member and vocalist Martin Walkyier, the band decided to continue and released the ‘Swords of a Thousand Men’ single (featuring ‘Eddie Tenpole’ himself) and the ‘unplugged’ album ‘No Daylights Nor Heeltaps’ in 2002. A new studio album ‘A Semblance Of Normality’ followed in 2004. As well as having all the usual folk instruments and influences, this album also featured the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and was well received by both fans and media worldwide.
‘Semblance’ marked the start of an exciting new chapter for Skyclad, who, while continuing to play in strongholds such as Germany (Dong Open Air, 2003 & 2005 and Burgfolk, 2004), also made successful appearances in new territories such as Sweden (the ’34,000 ton of Metal’ Cruise, 2004), the Czech Republic (Rock Café, Prague, 2005), Finland (Tuska Open Air, 2005) and Portugal (Beja, 2005). All this live work culminated in a full European Tour in early 2006, which took in ten countries, and the release of the ‘Jig-A-Jig’ EP – which the band produced themselves as a special one-off release for the tour.
Since then, as well as playing gigs and festivals across Europe – including the ‘Battle of Metal’ 2007 and Club Tochka in Moscow in 2007 and ‘Folk’n’Roll 2008’ in Pecs, Hungary - Skyclad have written and recorded a new full-length studio album (the band’s twelfth). Entitled ‘In The…All Together’, this ten-track album was recorded in Italy during August 2008. Again, as with ‘Semblance’, Dario Mollo engineered and mixed the album at his ‘Damage Inc’ studio in Ventimiglia.
However, unlike ‘Semblance’, this album was recorded completely by the band members – so there are no ‘guests’ or orchestras etc. This was a deliberate move to try and keep the recordings as ‘live and fresh’ as possible and one aimed at taking the band into the studio ‘all together’. This wasn’t exactly a ‘back to basics’ strategy, as the songs on the new album are far from basic as the band continues to experiment with odd timings and tunings. Another benefit of this approach is that Skyclad will be able to play more of the album songs live. ‘In The… All Together’ is scheduled for release by Scarlet Records in late spring 2009.
Skyclad Forum
Follow this link to access the Official Skyclad Forum and this is the contact address for Skyclad information and merchandise: skyclad.info@btinternet.com
Wyrd Ways Rock Show is now up. Bit of a remembrance vibe to this one. Not only for fallen military, but also for Mike Alexander. The show features an interview with two members of Evile, conducted by Alexander Milas of Metal Hammer. In Shock Of The New this week, you'll be hearing from Shudderwall, Francis Soto, Daisy Cutter, Thaurorod and Morphine Killer.
As usual, if you want to get in touch with me to ask for a song, contribute a Lie Back And Enjoy It, suggest a band for Shock Of The New (including your own!) or start a new round of The Connection, click on the Contact Form link on the homepage. Remember I also want photos of you to go in the Listeners Gallery and Miss Wyrd Ways Rock Show. Send your shots to mail@wyrdwaysrs.com.
Just wanted to thank you once again for the great great show in Sofia, it was one of my happiest days! I hope that you will come here again (and soon). I love you all!
Skyclad track 'Babakoto' to be aired on Merlin's Magical Music Moments; Wednesday 4th November 2009. Live on air; on Soundart Radio 102.5 fm 20.30 - 22.00 pm GMT. Probably the most eclectic mix of music currently on air. The full play list is now up on my blog.
Wyrd Ways Rock Show LXV is the soundtrack to your Halloween party! As well as the interview I did with Vreth of Finntroll (who also provides this week’s Lie Back And Enjoy It), you’ll hear classics from Black Sabbath and the patron saint of Halloween, Alice Cooper as well as music from Candlemass, Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie and Cradle Of Filth. In Shock Of The New this week, you’ll hear music from Be’Lakor, Mechanically Deboned, Dagor Dagorath, Burning Tears and Red Queen Theory.
I also want photos of you to go in the Listeners Gallery and Miss Wyrd Ways Rock Show. Send your shots to mail@wyrdwaysrs.com.
As usual, if you want to get in touch with me to ask for a song, contribute a Lie Back And Enjoy It, suggest a band for Shock Of The New (including your own!) or start a new round of The Connection, click on the Contact Form link on the homepage.
