| CD REVIEW Skyforger |
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Band: Skyforger Latvian Pagan/ Black band Skyforger were formed in 1995 and throughout the past fifteen years, the formation did release highly acclaimed recordings which did do well in the whole of Europe. The band’s unique combination of Nordic-influenced Black Metal, Baltic Folk, epic Pagan Metal and some eighties Heavy / Power Metal elements is their trademark, even though each album slightly differs from each other. The same goes for Kurbads, which continues the well-known path, yet at the same time it defines a new chapter within Skyforger’s history. Kurbads is a collection of nineteenth century’s tales about a hero, Kurbads, who battled against evil forces. The hymns combine melodic and epic Black Metal with a very Baltic/ Scandinavian (especially Finnish-oriented) approach, with traditional Folk elements. At the same time, the album balances on the equilibrium between eighties Metal basics and modern ones too – the latter evidently inferior to the old school approach, that’s for sure. I’m sure many Folk / Pagan Metal fans will be pleased enormously by this sixth Skyforger album, yet I can understand the contradictators too: will this album really overwhelm the overload on Pagan/ Folk/ Black/ Heavy Metal releases? 80/100 Ivan Tibos. |
