Skyforger – Kurbads
Raganas lāsts
Ķēves dēls
Deviņgalvis
Noburtais mežs
Tēva dēla pagalmā
Velnukāvējs
Akmens sargs
Pazemē
Melnais jātnieks
Pēdējā kauja
Kurbads
Or in English
1. Curse of the Witch
2. Son of the Mare
3. The Nine-headed
4. Bewitched Forest
5. In the Yard of the Father's Son
6. The Devilslayer
7. The Stone Sentinel
8. In the Underworld
9. Black Rider
10. The Last Battle
11. Kurbads (Bonus track)
Latvian Skyforger have somewhat reached for the sky and into folk fame lately, perhaps caused slightly by a record transfer to Metal Blade, which in return has changed their sound on latest taster ‘Kurbads’. This concept album, based on a folk tale, may have the traditional folk instruments splattered in, but don’t go running for your drinking horn and stick-on beards just yet.
Unlike Skyforger’s earlier releases, the black metal has ran deep into the woods leaving a more thrash influenced band to battle it out in the folk metal forest. As promised by the band, there are a lot more riffs perfect for a head banging rhythm and the vocals are strong and similar to that of Korpiklaani, without the beer chants.
Although once translated, the story behind the lyrics is interesting; the language barriers mean you cannot fully appreciate it and perhaps this could have been something to raise Skyforger higher.
For many this 80’s thrash mix with Eastern European wind instruments might be a bit much but regardless it is distinctively still Skyforger. Unfortunately for fans of the band that have been waiting seven years for ‘Kurbads’, this is nothing compared to the atmospheric twinges in previous albums such as ‘Thunderforge’ and causes Skyforger to appear quite similar to that of the commercial Finnish folk scene. For many, this may be a plus, as it leaves Skyforger more accessible for the masses and is definitely not going to be lacking in fun live.
Reviewed by Lily Randall
‘Kurbas’ is out now on Metal Blade |
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