Skyforger | ‘Kurbads’

It’s hard to find Skyforger that exciting. They’re capable, of course. They’re solid, hard working, play lots of festivals, and do all the other things that keep a band afloat. Those things dont always equate to a band’s music being anything more than functional, though.

This newest album more or less verifies that. There’s much to like - but there are a handful of real irritants too.

Personally, I’ve never really done the folk metal thing. I find group singing faintly daft, bagpipes very definitely daft, and the ermine and leather imagery just a bit too silly.

Those complaints come second to other problems with this album though. On a very basic level, the structuring is terrible. They’ve put the album’s definite worst tracks as numebrs one and two. The effect is deadening. It tees everything else up under a very dull shadow.

Which is a shame. Because after the rubbish ‘Curse Of The Witch’ and the especially leaden ‘Son Of The Mare’ are out of the way, things actually start getting decent. Stranger still, as the album advances into its second half, things get better again.

You could call that development; but really it just shouldnt take that long.

Credit where it’s due, of course. ‘The Devilslayer’ is wicked, with a great chorus hook and lateral take. ‘The Stone Sentinel’ also has a lot of atmosphere in its dark lead lick. If only the whole album was up to this high quality, then it would really be a talking point.

But back, we must go, to the bagpipes. This band are better without their folkish touches. An absurd proposition, you might say, given that that’s their raison d’etre. Well, quite. The fact however is that they sound balls. They cheapen the riffs, as they do in almost all bands that use them.

The vocals as well are somewhat grating. Some more clean singing would have worked. Some of the stompier riffs (’In The Underworld’) are basic to the point of boredom. Flutes in metal, as a rule, rarely work.

It’s a competent album from a competent and sincere band, of that there’s little doubt. The first ten minutes just rob it of life, and dont even hint at the depth that comes later. That’s a mistake, because it makes you not want to listen at all.

The later material is good - but it’s a bit too little too late, sadly.

2.8 / 5 - Earl Grey ::: 30/05/10