Latvian horde Skyforger were armed with more rusty blades and wore more hide in their early years. The 1997 debut demo 'Semigalls' Warchant' was already a very succesful raid, and the first full-length album 'Kauja pie Saules' a year later was a complete victory in pagan & folk metal battlefields.

Preparing for combat with ancient Latvian battlesong including horses neighing, warriors chanting and folk instrumentation. A warm welcome before the storm... The title track starts with cold guitar licks with chainsaw style distortion. It's a mixture of black and death metal what I hear. Winds turn to blow from North next, as 'Sencu Ozols' begins with total Norwegian black metal influenced piece, but turning warmer in the midst with folk metal melodies and folk instruments.

Skyforger's black metal side is influenced by Immortal and Gorgoroth, two most easily noticeable inspirers. The folk parts are, of course, inspired by the music where the band hails from. It is an interesting mixture, even though still familiar for a big part, due to folk metal's magnitude these days. So, in 1998 it might had been different... The major vibe, in both music and performances, is attacking and energetic. Towards the end there is more melancholic bits to be heard, because the music follows the lyrics (which are about war-filled history of their ancestors; translations included). Just a thought: If you're a fan of early Forefather (England), then you should give this a go.

Shrieked, reverbed zombie soldier vocals remind of Abbath (ex-Immortal): Very cold yet scorching with inner fire. Clean vocal crooning that is another style utilized on the album, is another, very typical, trait about folk metal. Folky chanting is heard at a few point during these 40 minutes. The ambient sounds also include sounds of nature, in form of birds, water and fire. The folk instruments include whistles, stringed, pipes, drums and horns, and sound totally authentic, as they are. The guitar tone is mostly rather trebly and raw. And the bass guitar? Yes, it is well audible and sound very meaty, plus does some excursions in its own paths, not following but its own will. The drumming is varying in both tempos and rhythms, as it goes from piledriving double kick drumming to blasting and slower, more relaxed grooves.

So, were Skyforger able to make real statement with 'Kauja pie Saules'? Yes they bloody well did! While the album might sound a tad dated now, it certainly hasn't lost its charm. This belligerent and fiery piece of black/folk metal is worth digging up and taken as an important piece of history. 20 years ago...

"I would rather lose my head, not the land of my fathers." And so will I.

Rating: 8½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
06/01/2018 23:11