Skyclad
Formed: 1990
From:
Newcastle,
United Kingdom
Last Known Status: Active
Latest Skyclad News
Below is our complete Skyclad news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Note: We began associating news directly with bands in late 2003. Therefore, earlier band news may not be listed on this page.
Dark Tranquility Replaces Soilwork At Dong 2013
Germany's Dong Open Air 2013 will take place during this upcoming July 11th - 13th, with full details available at the festival's website.
Fans wanting to see Soilwork perform in support of latest album "The Living Infinite" (reviewed here) will be disappointed to know the band has now pulled out of the festival.
However, the organizers of the fest have announced Dark Tranquility will be stepping in to replace Soilwork. Dark Tranquility's new album "Construct" is due out on May 27th in Europe and on May 28th in North America via Century Media Records.
The currently announced lineup for the Dong Open Air fest features: More...
Column
Sunday Old School: Skyclad
It’s interesting that in well over a hundred columns, Sunday Old School has barely touched on the folk metal sub-genre, (unless you include Primordial and Bathory.) This week we will be rectifying this by examining one of, if not the first folk metal band, Skyclad. Skyclad was formed in 1990 by vocalist Martin Walkyier, who had recently left his position as lead vocalist of the thrash metal outfit, Sabbat, and former Satan guitarist Steve Ramsey, with the intention of forming the "ultimate pagan metal band," which initially included such ideas as costumes, though thankfully these were soon ruled out. The original lineup was completed by drummer Keith Baxter (later of Northern Irish alternative metal group, Therapy?) and bass player Graeme English, who had worked with Ramsey as part of Pariah. They soon signed with Noise Records, a surprising choice considering how they were alleged to have treated Sabbat and released their first album, "The Wayward Sons of Mother Earth" in 1991.
They added to their ranks after a tour with New Jersey thrash metal legends Overkill, when they recruited Fritha Jenkins to perform keyboard and violin duties and released their acclaimed sophomore record, "A Burnt Offering of the Bone Idol," the next year, in what was to be the first of several album titles involving what appears to be Walkyier’s love of puns, something brought up again on the third album, "Jonah’s Ark," on which they had replaced Jenkins with Cath Howell. Their next album was to be entitled, "Prince of the Poverty Line," which according to some members is their biggest selling album to date and is loosely a concept album, dealing with a decaying Britain left after the Thatcherite reign. Special editions of the album included a number of tracks from the groups, "Tracks From the Wilderness" EP, including a faithful but unique cover of "Emerald" by Thin Lizzy. Skyclad soon faced difficulties in keeping a stable lineup. After replacing Howell with Georgina Biddle for their fifth album, "The Silent Whales of Lunar Sea," both Pugh and Baxter decided to leave the group, though the band were still able to support Black Sabbath on their 1995 "Forbidden" tour, albeit as a last minute replacement for Tiamat, as well as releasing another album that year named, "Irrational Anthems." More...
Skyclad Issues Tour Recap
U.K. metallers Skyclad have issued the following European tour recap:
"Whilst contemplating this tour blog, I was reminded of a line from a Tom Verlaine song that says, 'the travels fulfils you but the distance it kills you’. It would be easy indeed to moan about the long distances, the aches and pains caused by too little sleep, too much alcohol and the rather variable nutritional intake – and don’t even mention the ‘excess baggage’ charges (budget airlines my arse). However, the clue is in the title, if you want to ‘tour’ you gotta travel and it aint a ‘9 to 5’ gig (man); and so we set off (at 4:30 in the morning) for the ‘In The East All Together’ Tour. Passing through nine countries (covering half of Europe) to play eight gigs in seven days.
"The first gig was in Oberhausen, Germany (Skyclad’s ‘second home’) at the Helvete Club. Good solid metal gig with a great crowd. It was also my birthday (cue jokes but thanks to all for singing ‘Happy Birthday’) and it was great to meet up with a lot of old friends; including the Dong Open Air crew and our friends from Carlisle (good effort lads) and thanks everyone for all the photos, videos, cards and presents – the Port will find a good home. We had gigged with Adorned Brood before but it was nice to meet up with a young Spanish band, Kathaarsys, from Galicia (another favourite haunt of Skyclad), who brought greetings from the TNT bar in Santiago (what a night). So far so good and it was a great start to the tour. More...
Elvenking Announces Italian Tour Dates
Italian power metal band Elvenking has announced the following Italian tour dates:
08 OCT - Urban - Perugia (ITA)
16 OCT - Motorockas - Mozzate, Como (ITA)
31 OCT - Deposito Giordani - Halloween Party - Pordenone (ITA)
20 DEC - Soundtrack - supp. SKYCLAD - Arcene, Bergamo (ITA)
Rock City Open Air Cancelled
Romania's forthcoming metal festival, Rock City Open Air, appears to have either cancelled or postponed. A message from black metal legends Mayhem reads as follows:
"Unfortunately, Mayhem will not perform in Romania next week as the whole festival has been canceled (or apparently postponed). We are deeply sorry for the fans who wanted to see us performing there. This is of course totally out of our control.
"A statement regarding the reason of the cancellation should be posted on the festival's MySpace page soon."
This news come after the recent news that Immortal, Blood Red Throne, Macbeth and Trail Of Tears have all pulled out of the event. The festival was scheduled to be held from August 20-23rd in Fetesti, Romania.
Skyclad Announces Festival Appearances
U.K. folk metallers Skyclad have issued the following announcement about upcoming festival appearances:
"After a fantastic album launch at the Performance Academy in Newcastle (and a very drunken ‘aftershow party’), it was time for Skyclad to join in with the festival season. We have just headlined our first ever UK folk festival at Spratton. This happened on Friday June 10th and got a great reception – even though we might be a bit ‘heavier’ than the bands that normally play there, so thanks to the organisers for taking a chance and making this happen. Hopefully there will be more events like this for Skyclad in the UK – we are ready and waiting.....
"Skyclad has also just paid another return visit to the Dong Open Air festival in Germany (we have now played in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2009). This has got to be one of our favourite festivals (and probably a favourite of many others as it sold out in just four hours) partly because of its unique location (on top of the ‘Dongberg’) but also because of its ‘small but perfectly formed’ philosophy. They could move this festival and make it bigger etc but they have created a nice ‘niche’ for themselves and long may it continue. We are planning to return next year (we know it breaks the sequence but…) for the DOA tenth anniversary and Skyclad twentieth anniversary. ‘A fistful of cows’ indeed.....
"So what’s next? Well the next festival will be the ‘Rock City Open Air’ festival in Romania. This one is at the other extreme to the Dong as it is a four-day event with over a hundred bands. Skyclad are set to play on Friday 21st August (there is a link from this site).....
"Apart from the festivals, Skyclad have also now confirmed all the dates for a tour of Eastern Europe in October (see tour dates) and there will be more news about this, and any other shows added, in the coming weeks." More...
Skyclad Announces After Show Party
U.K. folk metallers Skyclad have issued the following announcement about an after show party for the release of their new album:
"Hi all, just to let you know that we’ve booked ‘The Globe’ (aka ‘the Polish bar) for the ‘Aftershow Party’ for the launch of ‘In The…All Together., this is for after the gig at Newcastle College. This bar is a very convenient ‘watering hole’, as most of the Academy staff will tell you, because it is just two minutes walk from Newcastle College. They also do some good ‘pub grub’, if you want to visit before the gig (but stay off the 7% lager until later). It also has a small stage, so we might be persuaded to do a few ‘unplugged songs’ and a terrace (weather permitting) but most importantly, it’s open until 3am!
"For all you trendy people on ‘Facebook’ check out – Pub The Globe, for all internet geeks there’s www.stolowka.co.uk (in English AND Polish, with maps and everything) and for mere mortals the address etc is: Telephone: 0191 2984000 The Globe, Railway Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7AD."
Skyclad Streaming New Songs Online
U.K. folk metallers Skyclad have issued the following announcement about streaming new songs from their latest album on their MySpace page:
"To celebrate the release of the new Skyclad album 'In The...All Together', we have posted some (edited) MP3s of all the tracks from the album. So, hopefully, everyone can get to know the songs and join in at gigs and festivals over the coming months.
"Cheers & Beers Skyclad!"
Skyclad Issues Band Update
U.K. folk metallers Skyclad have issued the following update about upcoming tour dates:
"Just a note to say that we are awakening from our hibination to start doing some gigs in support of the new album, 'In The... All Together'. First up, we have a 'warm-up' gig at Langley Park, Durham on Sunday May 2. This is a charity gig and for those who are making the trip I said I would post the post code for the old Sat Nav (it is Front Street, Langley Park, DURHAM, DH7 9SG as far as I can guess). I've posted this info on the events page and hopefully we'll meet up there and share a jar and a chat for the forthcoming year."
The band's currently confirmed live dates are as follows:
5/3 Langley Park Live Langley Park, Durham, Northeast
7/10 Spratton Folk Festival Spratton
7/18 Dong Open Air Neukirchen-Vluyn, DE
11/21 Pounding Metal - Wimp Reaper Festival Live Factory Adelsheim
German Dong Open Air Tickets Sell Out In First Day
The 2009 Dong Open Air festival will take place from July 17 - 18 in Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany. The official website for the festival has been updated with the following announcement that all tickets have already been sold out:
"Many, many thanks for that great reception of yours! The Dong Open Air 2009 is sold out after exactly 4 hours of pre-sales. We never thought of such a fast thing! We all are happily looking forward to seeing you all in best party-mood in front of our beloved stage on the Dong hill on the 17th and 18th of July!"
The line-up for the show will be as follows: More...
Skyclad Signs With Scarlet Records
UK folk metallers, Skyclad, have signed a deal with Scarlet Records. The group's twelfth album, "In The… All Together," is due in the spring. The CD was recorded and mixed by Dario Mollo (THE CAGE, VOODOO HILL) at Damage Inc Studio, in Ventimiglia, Italy during August 2008.
According to a press release, "[the new album] mixes the usual thrash/speed metal influences with the extraordinary folk melodies that made the band famous all around the world, maintaining a fresh and dynamic approach which gives a strong live dimension to the new songs."
Headline News
Former Skyclad, Therapy? Drummer Dead At 36
According to Kerrang! magazine, former 3 COLOURS RED / THERAPY? / SKYCLAD drummer Keith Baxter has passed away.
Baxter, who shot to fame with 3 COLOURS RED in the '90s, died of liver failure in hospital on January 4, 2008, surrounded by family and friends. He was 36 years old.
Baxter was born in Lancaster, Lancashire, UK. As a teenager he became a founding member of SKYCLAD, recording five albums with them before leaving in 1995 to join 3 COLOURS RED, with whom he recorded two UK top 40 albums ("Pure" and "Revolt") which included six Top 40 singles.
Following 3 COLOURS RED's split in 1999, he formed ELEVATION with former 3 COLOURS RED bandmate Pete Vuckovic. The group signed with Sony but was dropped a year later. He briefly played with the Northern Irish band THERAPY? in 2002.
3 COLOURS RED reunited to record a third album ("The Union of Souls") in 2004, but split up again the following year.
Skyclad Issues 2007 Recap
British "folk metal" act SKYCLAD has issued the following update:
"Seeing as the site has been quiet for a while, we thought we should post a little note here to keep everyone informed as to all things SKYCLAD as we head towards the end of 2007. It has been, when all is said and done, quite a quiet and 'steady as you go' sort of year with just the usual round of gigs and festivals happening.
"There have been a few high points and a few 'firsts' that are worth mentioning, from playing some songs for the first time — such as 'Helium' and 'Bury Me' (both at the request of the relevant promoters for the Dong Open Air and the Metieval Fest respectively). It was the first time for the Metieval Fest in Beverley, in fact, and we look forward to returning there. There was also the first visit by SKYCLAD to Moscow, Russia. This happened just a few weeks ago and (once we all got over the colds and got our equipment back — again) it was a great experience, Again, hopefully one we'll repeat." More...
Skyclad Announce Final "Jig-a-Gig" Tour Dates
Skyclad are pleased to announce that the final dates for the "Jig-a-Gig Tour 2006" have been confirmed. These are April 14th at The Frontline in Ghent, Belgium and April 18th at 'Goudvishal' in Arnhem, Netherlands.
Tour dates so far:
Apr. 09 Paris, FR - La Maroquinerie (w/ Meden Agan, Tornaod, Nocommentclatura, Chugga Chugga)
Apr. 12 Naples, I - Duel Beat
Apr. 14 Ghent, B - The Frontline (w/ Crusader)
Apr. 15 Rotterdam, NL - Baroeg (w/ Elvenpath)
Apr. 16 Luxembourg City, Lux - Centre Culturel (w/ Clanrock, Elvenpath)
Apr. 17 Bonn, D - Klangstation (w/ Elvenpath)
Apr. 18 Arnhem, NL - Goudvishal (w/ Elvenpath)
Apr. 19 Hamburg, D - MarX (w/ Elvenpath, Orcshop)
Apr. 20 Berlin, D - K17 (w/ Elvenpath)
Apr. 21 Gießen, D - Jokus (w/ Kampfar, Heidevolk, Nydvind)
Apr. 22 Merseburg, D - Gasometer (w/ Elvenpath)
Skyclad has finished their 'Jig-A-Jig' EP, which will be available on the tour.
Skyclad & Paragon To Play Ragnarok Preshow
Skyclad and Paragon have been confirmed to co-headline the Fimbulvetr [="Winters of Winters' in Nose mythology] Preshow at this years' Ragnarok festival, which is set to take place on November 4th at the new Concert Hall in Perth, Scotland.
The aim of the gig is to provide a top quality night of metal, featuring five bands from the UK and abroad in a smaller, more intimate venue than that of the main day's festivities. The preshow will be taking place on November 3rd.
The event will be recorded for future inclusion on live DVD/CD.
For more information, visit www.ragnarokfestival.com.
Skyclad Sign With Black Lotus Records
British "folk metal" act SKYCLAD have inked a deal with Greece's Black Lotus Records. The band are currently working on a special EP that will be released in time for the band's tour dates in April. The CD will feature a brand new recording of the instrumental track "Jig-a-Jig", along with the songs "The Roman Wall Blues", "They Think It's All Over - Well Is It Now?" and "Mr Malaprope" from the "A Semblance Of Normality" sessions. This EP will not be available in any record stores — it will only be available from the band's webshop and on tour. Meanwhile, SKYCLAD are also working on a new album which is to be recorded over the summer and released before the end of the year.
Upcoming SKYCLAD shows:
Jan. 28 - Athens, GRE - Another Club
Feb. 18 - Corroios, POR - Cine-Teatro
Feb. 19 - Porto, POR - HC Rio
Feb. 24 - Irun, SPA - Tunk
Feb. 25 - Vigo, SPA - Iguana
Apr. 09 - Paris, FRA - L'Espace Curial
Apr. 12 - Naples, ITA - Duel Beat
Apr. 21 - Giessen, GER - Jokus
Apr. 22 - Merseburg, GER - Gasometer
More dates will be announced soon.
SKYCLAD's most recent album, "A Semblance Of Normality", was released in 2004 through Demolition/Dreamcatcher Records. The album was mixed and mastered at the Damage Inc. Studio in Italy by Dario Mollo, who has previously worked with ANATHEMA, CRADLE OF FILTH, TONY MARTIN and GLENN HUGHES, among others.
Skyclad Plan To Release New EP
British "folk metal" act SKYCLAD are currently working on a special EP that will be released in time for the band's tour dates in April. The CD will feature a brand new recording of the instrumental track "Jig-a-Jig", along with the songs "The Roman Wall Blues", "They Think It's All Over - Well Is It Now?" and "Mr Malaprope" from the "A Semblance Of Normality" sessions. This EP will not be available in any record stores — it will only be available from the band's webshop and on tour. Meanwhile, SKYCLAD are also working on a new album which is to be recorded over the summer and released before the end of the year.
Upcoming SKYCLAD shows:
Jan. 28 - Athens, GRE - Another Club
Feb. 18 - Corroios, POR - Cine-Teatro
Feb. 19 - Porto, POR - HC Rio
Feb. 24 - Irun, SPA - Tunk
Feb. 25 - Vigo, SPA - Iguana
Apr. 09 - Paris, FRA - L'Espace Curial
Apr. 12 - Naples, ITA - Duel Beat
Apr. 21 - Giessen, GER - Jokus
Apr. 22 - Merseburg, GER - Gasometer
More dates will be announced soon.
Skyclad Announce European Dates
British folk metal act Skyclad have lined up the following dates to celebrate the band's 15th anniversary:
Mar. 26 Reichenbach, GER @ Die Halle
Mar. 27 Prague, CZR @ Rock Café
Mar. 28 Hamburg, GER @ Logo
Mar. 29 Berlin, GER @ Knaack
Apr. 01 Annaberg-Buchholz, GER @ Alte Brauerei
Apr. 09 Pratteln, SWI @ Z 7
Jul. 15 Neukirchen-Vluyn, GER @ Dong Open Air (heavy gig)
Jul. 16 Neukirchen-Vluyn, GER @ Dong Open Air (acoustic gig)
Skyclad's most recent album, "A Semblance Of Normality", was released last year through Demolition/Dreamcatcher Records. The album was mixed and mastered at the Damage Inc. Studio in Italy by Dario Mollo, who has previously worked with Anathema, Cradle of Filth, Tony Martin and Glenn Hughes, among others.
Ex-Skyclad & Immortal Members Launch New Project
The Clan Destined, the new project featuring vocalist Martin Walkyier (ex-Skyclad, Sabbath) and bassist Iscariah (ex-Immortal), have announced the details of the group's lineup. Joining Walkyier and Iscariah in the new formation are Lee Cassidy (guitar), Kara Sutra (vocals), Emily Dolan Davies (drums), and Tony Wildwood (guitar). The band are currently working very hard to complete the debut, self-financed demo recordings, which "will eventually become the culmination of several years painstaking lyric-writing and musical composition," according to a press release. "The Clan Destined has at this moment neither management or record-company backing — preferring to rely entirely on the support of our many loyal fans and friends until an efficient and trustworthy manager and label present themselves."
Regarding the group's musical direction, the press release states: "The Clan Destined is intended to be something completely fresh and unique from the very outset. In a world obsessed with faiths and colours, trends and genres; We each desire this TCD project to become a united collective which both transcends the current boundaries and sets a whole new bench-mark within the extreme music scene. In our considered opinions there is no real purpose whatsoever in trying to copy that which has already been done before. The current objective being to create something entirely new & ground-breaking at all costs. Exactly how long this takes to achieve will depend solely upon how much help we receive from you good people out there. We simply cannot do this without your involvement. So if you want to become part of something truly special, then the time has now come to climb aboard."
For more information, visit www.theclandestined.com.
Headline News
Satan Perform Live For First Time In 20 Years
A bunch of photos from legendary NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) band SATAN's one-off reunion show Friday (August 6) at Germany's Wacken Open Air festival have been posted online at this location (courtesy of Germany's Bright-Eyes.de).
SATAN's classic "Court In The Act" lineup (including BLITZKRIEG singer Brian Ross and SKYCLAD's Graeme English and Steve Ramsey) performed together at Wacken for the first time since 1984. A live recording from the group's early days, entitled "Live in the Act", is tentatively scheduled to be released later in the year.
In related news, BLIND FURY's only album, "Out of Reach" (1985), was re-released by Majestic Rock in early June. BLIND FURY was essentially SATAN with a different singer (Lou Taylor - vocals, Steve Ramsey - guitar, Russ Tippins - guitar, Graeme English - bass, Sean Taylor - drums).
