The first name that we all think about when we hear the term folk metal is with no doubt the Brits “Skyclad”, the band that literally created the term back in 1990, when it was formed by Martin Walkyier. This year they return with their 12th album from Scarlet Records.

The recording and mixing of the album was done in Damage Inc Studio in Italy by Dario Mollo (The Cage, Vodoo Hill) and according to the press release for the album, it combines all those elements for which they are well-known, speed/thrash influences enriched with folk elements. Starting with the first song “Words Upon The Street”, the well known violin tunes of Georgina Biddle and the guitar riffs are all over the place, creating this special, familiar Skyclad sound. The following “Still Small Beer”, is a song that stirs up the listener’s enthusiasm with its catchy rhythm and is the album’s most melodic. Generally, there are not bad tracks on the album, since it includes interesting celtic/folk melodies, very good solos and there is no luck of inspired guitar riffs. Certain songs that also stand out are “ A Well-Travelled Man”, ¨Superculture”, “Which Is Why”, a song that is mainly based on the atmosphere created by the choruses and “Modern Minds” for its interesting leading riffs and the beautiful violin tunes.

As far as the negative parts are concerned, I believe that in all the after Martin Walkyier period of Skyclad his voice is still missing, since it was giving a specific attitude and character to the band that seems to be lacking now. Of course for all those that kept following their after 2001 discography it is something they got used to, so it is no longer considered as a problem. Another differentiation from their latest previous works is that they don’t use cello, flute and other traditional instruments (which I don’t consider as negative, since it does not abstract anything from the Celtic/folk character of the band).

In the following link you can get a first idea of the album yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7Zvuhbk10I .