Of all the subgenres in metal, folk metal has never been treated kindly. In part, the jovial and sometimes goofy demeanor of bands like Korpiklaani and Finntroll have caused many metalheads to turn a cold shoulder to it; the other half of the problem comes with a small number of folk metal bands who, while a minority, are very vocal about their political philosophies that are usually associated with some form of National Socialism. While folk metal seems to be a primarily European niche, with many of its more well-known bands in the genre receiving a lukewarm response in the states, a select few have transcended the limits of this genre to become not just one of the premier bands of the small folk metal community, but a force in the metal world at large.
Latvia’s Skyforger are a band whose roots are in the folk metal genre, yet their sound today is far more refined and mature from their humble beginnings as a black/folk metal band. Borrowing from melodic black and death metal as much as classic heavy metal, speed metal, and the grandeur of power metal, Skyforger have been honing their craft for 20 years and have only gotten better with time. Their latest effort Senprūsija (translated into English as “Old Prussia”) shows a band that, instead of resting on its past achievements (namely 2010’s Kurbads released on the legendary Metal Blade), continues to refine its craft of songwriting and power of delivering anthems that are as epic as they are focused. With many bands based in the folk metal genre, the traditional folk instrumentation can overpower the song structures to a point where the electric guitars and drums serve as little more than a backing band; Skyforger, at this point in their very accomplished career, do not commit this sin. Make no mistake: Senprūsija is a metal album from top to bottom and has something to satisfy listeners from every corner of the genre.
After a short intro with throaty, chanted vocals, the title track storms in with ripping tremolo picking and blast beats before shifting to a driving rhythm that sees the band channel both its black metal and thrash influences. The vocals, a throaty half-sung yell, fulfill their duty as a battle cry expressing the grand history of the Balts, the primary recurring theme throughout all of Skyforger’s lyrical history. It’s halfway through this song that we get our first taste of the folk elements, a harmonized flute melody over a galloping rhythm before a fret-scorching guitar solo enters and makes the band’s prowess known. The folk instrumentation in no way feels out of place and adds great tact to an already dynamic and powerful song. The barn-burner “Sudovian Horsemen” follows, dropping the folk elements in favor of pure power that brings to mind the best of legends like Mithotyn and early Ensiferum. “Now or Never” brings early Celtic Frost to mind with its chugging, ugly riffs and warlike atmosphere. The first half of Senprūsija rarely lets up, with the band firing on all cylinders: Tight and complex songwriting, memorable riffs and solos, excellent performances from all band members, and excellent pacing to keep listeners engaged at every turn.
It’s during the second half of the album that more folk elements are integrated into song structures, including chanting choirs over top of acoustic guitars, but with no loss of power from the rest of the band. Cuts like “Romuve” and “Pride and Defiance” have the most epic song structures the album has to offer and call to mind Bathory’s Viking era in their grandiosity while still sounding fresh and original. There are a few tracks in the second half that have a “been there, done that” vibe to them, but even so, they are still great songs in their own right and display the band’s excellent songwriting skills: “The Black Sails,” while repeating some familiar melodies, is also one of the most aggressive tracks on the album and holds its own, and “Nothing is Forgotten” has a standout guitar solo complete with harmonized leads and galloping rhythms.
Though it seems few know their name outside of Europe, Skyforger earned their stripes long ago and aren’t just a great pagan/folk metal band, they’re a great metal band, period. If you want to dig into an anthemic, dynamic album that has something for all metalheads, Senprūsija (Old Prussia) comes highly recommended.
Rating: 4/5