Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 05:16 PM by Giorgos Tsekas
Genre: Folk Metal
Country: Mother Earth
Label: Listenable Records
Year: 2017
One of the bands, that Metal Invaders’ team loved, ever since they made their first appearance, was Skyclad. Maybe they didn’t reach Metallica’s level of commercial success, they didn’t define Heavy Metal in the way Iron Maiden did either, neither became legends like Motörhead, but beloved Geordies are considered a part of that Elit, for Metal Invader. Simple as that. Whenever they visit our country it’s a sensation to us, any new release is dealt with high respect but also with critical thinking. We don’t need any type of “Untouchable” band, especially since Skyclad don’t need this kind of treatment anyways, and also, we “gifted” 2/6 or 3/6 to many huge and loved bands, whenever we weren’t satisfied with their albums (Rotting Christ, Metallica etc).
Personally speaking, “Forward Into The Past” was more that an expected album. As a fan, I was obviously expecting the album to meet the quality standards, that the band has already set, while in the back of my mind, I feared a possible fail, that would set the gravestone of the band. Waiting for 8 whole years, didn’t make things easier.So, when I received the album 2 months ago, I handed it out to many editors, declared fanatics of the band. All this time, while I kept on listening to it obviously, I received plenty of different opinions on it, many times opposing one, another.
Saying that you can’t grasp Walkyier’s leaving is not the same with saying “This is not Skyclad”. I don’t know Martin’s shoes size, but Kevin Ridley seems very comfortable wearing them. He is not as theatrical as Walkyier and yes, he is also lacking rage when “spitting” out the lyrics and maybe the metal elements are not as many as the rock ones, at this point. But for the third time in a row, the causticity on the lyrics remains as annoying to any conservative pen-pusher that’s making our lives hard, as it used to be during the 1991-2000 era. Georgina’s majestic violin, is once more embellishing the songs, with beautiful melodies. Riffs are still here, sharp and substantial. The vibe of the beloved 90’s songs, is still here. The wistful cover -Duncan Storr (Edge of Sanity, Rage)- brings back in mind the aura of “Irrational Anthems”. Makes sense, since tracks like “Words Fail Me” (reminds me of New Model Army) and “Queen of the Moors”, could easily be in this album that was released 21 years ago… Compositions like “Starstruck?”, “Borderline” are amazing, and as many songs from “Forward Into Past” are played live on Skyclad’s concerts, they can blend easily with those legendary ones, from their early period. A weak song (“Last Summer’s Rain” that isn’t so bad after all) can’t take anything away from this brilliant return of the British. Whileothersblabbering with releases that deplete their topic subjects, taking about armor plates, kettles… eh, I mean helmets and epic battles and shiny arms yielding great swords, Skyclad only kick-in, when they got something to say. And that something has political meaning, social concern and something meaningful to pass onto people. That’s the folk we all loved.
4/6
