Customer Reviews

Folkemon

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Martin Walkyier's final album with Skyclad is an excellent way to conclude this band's catalogue of releases. I've loved Walkyier's work since Sabbat's absolutely brilliant albums 'History of a Time to Come' and 'Dreamweaver' (so impressive I wrote a thesis on it and its inspiration, Brian Bates's book 'The Way of Wyrd'), and he remains one of the finest and cleverest lyricists I've ever come across. 'Folkemon' is in my opinion the strongest Skyclad release, well produced and performed, and alternately biting, fun and insightful...and very addictive. I came close to overplaying it when I first bought it. My favourite tracks would be the opening 'The Great Brain Robbery' (I'm always up for some well written vitriol about the dumbing down of society), the fun and folk-thrash-danceable 'Polkageist', and 'The Disenchanted Forest'. And on a possibly irrelevant note, I really like the cover art on this album. It's very cool. I highly recommend this album, and wait impatiently for Walkyier's next venture.

One of the most unique outfits out there, Skyclad takes some shots at a popular card game for the title of this incredible little masterpiece. I was completely blown away from the first few notes of the first song. Martin and company blend together lusty rhythms with excellently placed female vocals, violins and keyboards, without laying on anything too terribly thick. The whole album is a sarcastic, pun filled hypnotic piece of outrageous fun. Lyrics are, as always, filled with mad genius, Martin, the ever thinking frontman tackling everything, including religion and the internet, plus some other pagan like topics that will have you humming along madly with a pint of ale in your hand. Skyclad has yet to disappoint, and if you're new to the 'Clad, please, do yourself a favor and treat your ears to Folkemon. And don't forget about checking into the rest of the catalog either. If you like upbeat thinking man's metal with a few tricks and a whole lot of style, Skyclad awaits you...

This is Skyclad's 10th full length studio album (not counting EPs, singles, the '96 best of, and appearances on tribute albums). And I can honestly say that EVERYTHING THIS BAND PUTS OUT IS TOP-NOTCH. I like alot of performers, but this is exclusively the ONLY group I would praise this highly.

I was a huge fan of the vocalist Martin Walkyier's band Sabbat back in the late '80s. But in '91, when he joined up with Steve Ramsey and Graeme English, things got a whole lot better. These guys write and play music worthy of Martin's first-rate lyrics. And NEVER since has their progression taken a wrong turn. "Folkemon" is a prime example of that.

Absolutely astounding! Martin and the crew have produced yetanother masterpiece. While fully aware that if you are reading thisreview I am probably only preaching to the choir, so to speak, youcannot go wrong with this one. Skyclad combine stlyes and elementsfrom thoughout their decade-long history; from musical selections thatsound strikingly similar to "A Burnt Offering For The BoneIdol" to lyrical witticism on a par with any of the more recentrecordings (but without the references to Banquo). Unfortunately mostof the discs prior to 1998 are no longer available in the good ol'U.S.

Folkemon is a wonderful swansong to Walkyier's carrer with Skyclad. The words bite as hard as they ever have. These guys have been described as 'Judas Priest with a Fiddle'. Good , and fair description. One thing though : priest never had words that actually felt like they bit hard. The self effacing attitude is also evident here. Seriousness is overratted. This is good,good stuff, the likes of which we may never see again.

The masters of Celtic folk metal have returned! There are many ways to describe the new album relative to their previous ones: "Vintage Whine" with better production, "The Answer Machine?" with heavier songs... But "Folkemon" reminds me most of "Prince of the Poverty Line," with its stomping guitar riffs and generous use of keyboards. Like many Skyclad albums, "Folkemon" starts off with a bang. The first three songs are all instant classics: the upbeat "Great Brain Robbery," the grim, aggressive "Think Back and Lie of England" with its intense fiddling in the chorus, and the traditional Skyclad theme of the wicked seductress in "Polkageist!" The next four songs let down a little, though Martin Walkiyer's mix of the playful and the sardonic makes the lyrics of "The Antibody Politic" a particular pleasure: "The masses are numb, their ethics awry. Nothing's as dumb as the Vox Populi. If there's anyone else out there, aiming sawn-off philosophy; Let's all unite and make things right, with an overwhelming minority." I can relate!

The last three songs are as good as the first three, with the poignant ballad "You Lost My Memory," the vocal-oriented "Deja-Vu Ain't What It Used to Be," and the fun, almost bluegrass-y "Any Old Irony?"

The bonus track, "Swords of a Thousand Men," is a cover of a band called Tenpole Tudor and sounds almost like an English football song. A little different from the usual Skyclad fare but very catchy.

I think Skyclad has really put all the elements together in this album, and I'm willing to call it their best, even beating out "The Answer Machine?"

Aside from the awfully cheesy title, this album is so close to perfect it's scary. Unlike many bands in today's hard rock environment, Skyclad dares to break the mold and take a stab at something original. This album can be described as a mix between folk-rock and very light metal, a bit of a Jethro Tull influence, bluesy guitar solos and some of the best rock lyrics ever put to paper. Lyricist/singer Martin Walkyier has a keen insight into the human condition and a real way with words, as one glance through the lyric booklet will quickly prove. All in all, this is one of the best albums you can buy this year, in any genre, so if the sound samples sound interesting, do not hesitate to buy this masterpiece. Best track = The Antibody Politic

Its an album that simply confirms the great reputation that comes with the name of Skyclad.A wonderfull album with spectacular lyrics and great songs.The only track i personally wasnt thrilled of was the bonus track ....so no big deal.Skyclad rules once more