Skyclad (band)
Skyclad is a British band that had significant impact on the folk metal.
History
Skyclad was founded in 1990 by Steve Ramsey and singer Martin Walkyier in Newcastle upon Tyne as a casual one one album band project. Steve's former band mate and drummer Keith Baxter Graeme English completed the first line-up. 1991 was produced by Kevin Ridley and published on Noise Records debut album The Wayward Sons of Mother Earth published. Following the publication of a second guitarist and a violinist, Georgina Biddle came to the band, followed by numerous tours among others with Black Sabbath, Manowar, Gamma Ray and Blind Guardian, appearances at the Dynamo Open Air in Eindhoven ( Holland ) and 1996, a tour of Germany with Subway to Sally as the opening act. Simultaneously published Skyclad six more albums until 1996. Was followed by tours of Irish pubs. 1999 appeared the album Vintage Whine, in 2000 followed Folkémon. The former band consisted Walkyier Martin (vocals ), Steve Ramsey ( guitar), Graeme English ( bass) and Georgina Biddle ( violin ). The position of drummer was taken in the late 90 live and for the first time on "Vintage Whine " and in the studio of Jay Graham. This formation initially appears to be stable. Live it is reinforced by Kevin Ridley, actually producer of the band.
From the original Noise Records Skyclad claims to be, and also outwardly visible, apparently abandoned. Martin Walkyier manifests itself in the following years several times very negative about the local support. The later record label Massacre Rec supportet the band initially neat, although the quality of the production of the last album "Vintage Whine " rather suggesting that towards the end of the contractual relationship no longer vain prevailed sunshine. Finally landed the band from " Folkémon " on Nuclear Blast.
End of the 90 start Skyclad regular acoustic tours, mostly to play through small pubs. The correspondingly modified songs stylistically to socialize at the " Oui Avantgard A Chance " album, the least metal album of the band. While the band, already reached the " Oui avant ... " album with Massacre Records, initially calmer tones strikes on the following album " The Answer Machine" to "Vintage Whine ", the last album designed with Massacre Records, significantly harder, albeit with a relatively weak because provided to rough production. After 1998 a very inspiring stopover at Wacken Open Air (also released on DVD ) puts the band back into the focus of international attention, rang the following tour, with the still less known Lacuna Coil in the opening act, after the prelude to the most dramatic Line -up change in the band's career.
Leaves in late 2000 singer Martin et al due to financial problems the band.
Again and again, the financial situation of the band was well described as tense. Tours with guest musicians and enormous logistical effort were profits from the concerts often arise. Martin Walkyier once said that he described as " income " from the tour often had only enough money for a bread roll and a beer. These problems appeared partly homemade, since a less expensive tour probably one or the other would have helped save pounds. Added to this was that many of the band members still had to perform "normal" job to get ends meet.
Martins items took over producer Kevin Ridley, who officially belonged since 1998 as a second guitarist for the band and had contributed to earlier albums, the backing vocals. With Walkyier the band an important figure of identification is lost, however, both live and in the studio. Martins way to communicate with the audience, could not be imitated by Kevin, since the latter is inevitably tied to his guitar. In addition, Kevin's voice is far less characteristic than Martins, which is also the album "No Daylights ... Nor Heeltaps " is clear in particular. Even drummer Jay leaves shortly after Martin the band and is replaced by Arron Walton.
He continued touring, including as the opening act of Fish. In 2002 appeared the live unplugged album No Daylights ... Nor Heeltaps, in the late summer of 2004 was followed by the studio album A Semblance of Normality.
In spring 2006, Skyclad signed a new record deal with the Greek label Black Lotus Records and put three pieces from the recording sessions for A Semblance of Normality and the newly recorded instrumental Jig -a- Jig together for an EP. This EP was not published regularly on Black Lotus, but is only available at concerts and directly through the band's homepage. With Jig -a- Jig is an Irish Traditional. The arrangement, however, is very similar to the version of the British progressive rockers East of Eden, which had with this song in the early 1970s in the UK a Top 10 hit.
The current album "In The ... All Together " is published on 29 May 2009 via Scarlet Records.
Style
Skyclad played on the debut album Thrash Metal with slight folk influences. By 1997, their style through to folk rock. This development began with the album " Irrational Anthems" and took her climax with " Oui Avant-Garde A Chance " a. However, it is also " The Answer Machine", the quietest album of the band, set very folkloric. Later, the band mixed again clearly metal and folk influences.
It is characterized by the effect that the violin takes over many melody parts that would really belong to a solo guitar. Over time is hardly visible if the violin follows the guitar runs, or vice versa.
A Semblance of Normality on influences from the Hard Rock can be seen. Another special feature of this album is the participation of 15 musicians from the London Royal Symphonic Orchestra in five of the 13 songs dar.
The lyrics were particularly determined at the time the membership of Martin Walkyier of political and socio-critical issues. A common stylistic devices were puns, which, for example, led to song titles like "History Lessens ", " Inequality Street" or " Litte Miss Take ".