Skyforger - Kurbads

By: Nick Habisch

 

Folk metal is a very varied genre. Some bands do it well, like Finntroll, and some, like Skyforger with their newest album Kurbads, make it very cringe worthy. There is very little that interests me when listening to this album, as it seems to do everything wrong.

Musically it is a mix of Power and Folk Metal, blending the power chords and solos of Power Metal bands like Sonata Arctica, with traditional folk instruments from this band’s home country of Latvia. Skyforger is at their best when there are no vocals present, because that is where things start to go downhill.

Vocally Skyforger tries to blend some harsh screaming (akin to Children of Bodom) with some sort of “clean” vocal yell approach that really comes off as grating to the ears. This thrash sounding yell really does not work with the kind of music they are playing and it just distances them from being anywhere near an interesting band.

I really cannot express anything great about Skyforger’s newest release Kurbads. The vocals clashed harshly with the music and made it a struggle to get through.  I am not familiar with their older work so I cannot say if this is a one-time fluke, but I really cannot recommend this album unless Folk Metal is your thing. Even then, tread cautiously.

Rating: 3/10

​