Skyclad
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1,796,090 plays (47,604 listeners)
Skyclad is a British heavy metal band with strong folk influences in their music. They were formed by former Sabbat vocalist Martin Walkyier, and Satan / Blind Fury / Pariah guitarist Steve Ramsey in 1990 to represent the “ultimate pagan metal band”.
From the start, they have incorporated a diverse range of influences from British folk music to German thrash metal which has fed their constantly evolving sound. They are widely considered the inventors of folk metal.
The lineup remained stable for the recording of 2000’s Folkémon, but founding member Walkyier left the band in 2001, citing various reasons, such as financial difficulties or the bands unwillingness to tour in South America owing to security concerns as the final straw, though other band members have commented that his somewhat pessimist personality was one of the major contributing factors to the groups lineup instability. Walkyier went on to form The Clan Destined. For many fans, Walkyiers lyrics and delivery style were one of the bands central attractions, and there were fears that his departure spelled the end of the band. After replacing drummer Jay Graham (who left shortly after Walkyier) and moving Kevin Ridley onto vocals, the group sprang into action to remedy these fears with 2002’s No Daylights…Nor Heel Taps which featured studio recordings of “Irish Pub versions” of Skyclad classics by the new line-up, proceeded by a single, 2001’s “Swords of a Thousand Men”. The single’s title track, a cover tune (originally recorded by Tenpole Tudor), also appeared on Folkémon as a bonus track, although in a different version.
From the start, they have incorporated a diverse range of influences from British folk music to German thrash metal which has fed their constantly evolving sound. They are widely considered the inventors of folk metal.
The lineup remained stable for the recording of 2000’s Folkémon, but founding member Walkyier left the band in 2001, citing various reasons, such as financial difficulties or the bands unwillingness to tour in South America owing to security concerns as the final straw, though other band members have commented that his somewhat pessimist personality was one of the major contributing factors to the groups lineup instability. Walkyier went on to form The Clan Destined. For many fans, Walkyiers lyrics and delivery style were one of the bands central attractions, and there were fears that his departure spelled the end of the band. After replacing drummer Jay Graham (who left shortly after Walkyier) and moving Kevin Ridley onto vocals, the group sprang into action to remedy these fears with 2002’s No Daylights…Nor Heel Taps which featured studio recordings of “Irish Pub versions” of Skyclad classics by the new line-up, proceeded by a single, 2001’s “Swords of a Thousand Men”. The single’s title track, a cover tune (originally recorded by Tenpole Tudor), also appeared on Folkémon as a bonus track, although in a different version.
Shouts:
399 shouts
Featured Tracks
| The Roman Wall Blues | 3:30 |
| FULL TRACK They Think It's All Over | 2:57 |
| Jig-A-Jig | 3:30 |
| Mr Malaprope & Co | 2:18 |
Top Albums
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Irrational Anthems
Skyclad
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A Semblance Of Normality
Skyclad Buy- Download Album
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Folkemon
Skyclad Buy- Download Album
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Prince Of The Poverty Line
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Shoutbox
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schorrf wrote:
You mean Men of Straw.
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FjordSweetFjord wrote:
I think my favorite earlier days song would be "The Men of Straul" and later days I'll go with "Something To Cling To"
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Rakzoman_666 wrote:
Life's Really a Chocolate Box ♪
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Schiiizo_Punk wrote:
I would love to listen more of folk metal!! :)
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Stahlreich wrote:
Molot - New album preview http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVHN_kx-DY0.
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WordsComeBack wrote:
Building a Ruin !
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FjordSweetFjord wrote:
their later 90s records are a personal highlight for me (the answer machine & vintage whine)
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jacobo123 wrote:
Wayward Sons Of Mother Earth. The rest is far away from this masterpiece.
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Sanctus0815 wrote:
I've been to many concerts of many bands, but when Skyclad enter the stage - everyone have to realize that they are more than a "metal band". More than 20 years of the greatest metal music! Ramsey is one of the greatest - still playing guitar - guitarists, compare them with other bands, which are still playing 3-4 years of folk metal and you will realise that skyclad is much more than a "folk band".
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Takkeri wrote:
Its not exactly what i wanted to say but the point was: "Irate and eclectic my cry from the bryony; "Any old irony?!" Always loved this wee travelling circus -piece. I was watching the movie "The imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" sometime ago and it reminded me of this odd & funny track.
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alchemist_os wrote:
Well then I misunderstood what you wanted to say. From my standpoint, it looked like you said: Who cares if Skyclad's music is lifeless and stupid, their singer is good and so are the lyrics. So it seemed like you are saying their music sucks while their vocalist is great.
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Takkeri wrote:
Alchemist_os, too obvious probably. But seriously, long time ago I played Skyclad to one of my friends who likes Korpiklaani, Ensiferum etc. Mentioned the brilliant lyrics and showed some of them and he replied that the lyrics seem quite controversial cause they are political and angsty and have little stuff like elves, beer and swords in them. Following which he made quite clear that apparently the newschool folk metal bands developed the style into a form lot clearer. Do i need to mention that after those comments i wanted to rage out loud :p? But I suppose that's how most want their folk metal.
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alchemist_os wrote:
Takkeri is an obvious troll.
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acclamationsun wrote:
Thanks for such amazing songs!
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Grobodan wrote:
Top track has 49 listens, yet junk like Korpiklaani has many times more plays? This world's a joke.
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Takkeri wrote:
I'd say the biggest problem is that Walkyier's voice just isn't pop. Many people i've played Skyclad (the more "general audience" peeps) say he sounds stupid and the don't like the band cause of it. Who cares if the music doesn't have soul as long as the singers voice and lyrics are processed and inside an ideal
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oregerdo wrote:
"the end is near so we must choose, that we have everything to lose. if empty words are all we're worth, it is the end for Mother Earth." Martin Walkyier is the best singer-lyricist.
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DessPL wrote:
Just came here to say that The Anwser Machine? album is criminally underrated and to me it is one of the most important albums of all time. Also, I looked at the overall play count - ridiculously low, I thought they were more popular after all these years ;-) It's a terrible pity, for they have never realased any EVEN mediocre album until today.
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alchemist_os wrote:
They are appreciated for their legacy on Wikipedia, in a way that if you open Skyclad article, it will say, among other things, that they are the first folk metal band. But in my town, i know 2-3 people who know them and listen to them occasionally, 4-5 people who have heard of them, but no fans. I'd like them to come to croatia, but that venue would be empty I guess... I mean, I was at a Rotting Christ concert, and there were hardly 100 people here where I am, and they have 5+ million plays. Just fucking sad.
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matze_74 wrote:
Just found the following quote by Mark Briody, guitarist of JAG PANZER: "SKYCLAD are the perfect example of what's wrong with the music industry. One of the greatest bands in world, yet they remain relatively obscure because they don't fit some record companies' marketing plan. If you want great music, not trends or hype, check out SKYCLAD. You won't be disappointed."
Videos
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Play
Words Upon The Street
1 shout
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Play
Hybrid Blues
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Play
Any old irony
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Play
The Disenchanted Forest
Events
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Mar
2
Up the Hammer Festival VII
An Club, Athens, Greece
3 going
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Mar
3
Up The Hammers – Festival
Up The Hammers – Festival, Athen, Greece
5 going
2 shouts
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Apr
13
Ragnarök Festival 9
Stadthalle, Lichtenfels, Germany
215 going
120 shouts
News
Skyclad: Songs for the Election 2010
15 Apr 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/officialskyclad
Well now that all the Manifestos are out, we thought we would
add a few ‘campaign songs’ of our own to the proceedings – though
they should not be taken as an endorsement for any particular
…
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23 Jan 2010 | from blog.myspace.com/officialskyclad -
7 Nov 2009 | from blog.myspace.com/officialskyclad -
7 Nov 2009 | from blog.myspace.com/officialskyclad
Listening Now
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Recent Activity
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NagrachTM, metallumberjack, chrisfuckingf and 2 other people added Skyclad to their libraries. 3 hours ago
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jonlorde added Skyclad to the lineup of Up the Hammer Festival VII at An Club. Tuesday evening
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metalkieran added Skyclad to metalkieran’s library. Tuesday afternoon
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ga-tya tagged Skyclad with british and celtic metal. Tuesday afternoon
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Daggiputz77, Nicole-Nails, plague_embra and 9 other people added Skyclad to their libraries. Monday morning
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Bobarob tagged Skyclad with ‘folk metal’. last month
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Straight-Jacket, Necros_hmkids, spyrock92 and 4 other people added Skyclad to their libraries. last month
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dward526 tagged Skyclad with metal and folk metal. last month
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deth_from_above connected Skyclad to the group Delta Mekong Concerts. last month
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coldin, helioguara and cafeblah added Skyclad to their libraries. last month
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