Skyclad
Irrational Anthems

THE REVIEW

In the fragmented and confused metal scene of the '90s, Skyclad's offering always represented a guarantee of quality and coherence with a unique style, unmatched and, if I may say, inimitable.
Their music, a successful blend of folk and metal, although firmly anchored in heavy tradition, showed us a band that was highly original, capable, and never banal, able to mature from album to album and evolve without ever betraying its roots.
Surely, the mix of folk and rock was nothing new (impossible not to mention Jethro Tull, Thin Lizzy, and, why not, the "Celtic" Gary Moore), but even if our friends were not the inventors of so-called "folk metal," they certainly represent its flag bearers.
The band, still led by the charismatic Martin Walkyier (former Sabbat and now at the court of the lesser-known Hell), as prolific as few, arrives in '96 at its sixth album, "Irrational Anthems," to this day perhaps their most balanced and complete work.

Opening the dances (in every sense!) is "Inequality Street", one of the emblematic tracks of the Newcastle group, a perfect summary of their style, with a very catchy violin line in the foreground by the charming Georgina Biddle (here still credited as George Biddle, although she is clearly visible in photos...). On the same coordinates are the very amusing (musically speaking; the lyrics instead often show bitter and sharp sarcasm) "Penny Dreadful" and "History Lessens". Definitely more heavy is "The Wrong Song", perfectly immersed in the reality of the '90s, and the splendid "I Dubious", which opens with a delicate piano line before exploding into a furious thrash song (in triple time!) always embellished by Georgina Biddle's violin (she also takes care of the piano and keyboard parts). Notable also is the dark "The Sinful Ensemble" and the instrumental "Sabre Dance", a metal version of the famous "Dance of the Sabres".  
The work of guitarist Steve Ramsey and bassist Graeme English is precise and never over the top, which the most attentive of you will remember (among others) both in Satan, a cult band of the N.W.O.B.H.M, while it's worth emphasizing once again Martin Walkyier's ability both in composing never ordinary lyrics rich with amusing wordplay (but not light in content) and in modulating his voice, now cavernous and almost guttural (but always melodic) now clean and at times evocative. The album closes with "Quantity Time", an atypical dreamy and melancholy ballad supported by a distorted arpeggio by Steve Ramsey.

With this album, even as Skyclad distances themselves somewhat from the heavy thrash influences of their origins, they maintain their grit intact, integrating the violin parts and folk atmospheres more effectively than ever, always a characteristic of the group. An another excellent work that unfortunately went almost unnoticed, especially here in Italy. And here I cannot refrain from criticizing the Italian specialized press which (if someone can prove me wrong, I will be happy) has never dedicated a cover to Martin and his (mis)adventure companions.

Another bad break - burst another bubble
Another lost cause - here's another trouble
Another heart ache - one more chance gone
Another lost chord in yet another wrong song.