Skyforger

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For the 2009 Amorphis album, see Skyforger (album).
Skyforger
Skyforger performing in 2007
Skyforger performing in 2007
Background information
OriginRiga, Latvia
GenresFolk metal
Thrash metal
Black metal (1995–2000)[1]
Years active1995–present
LabelsMetal Blade Records
Folter Records
Mascot Records
MembersPēteris Kvetkovskis [lv]
Edgars Grabovskis [lv]
Alvis Bernāns
Jānis Osis
Past membersEdgars Krūmiņš
Imants Vovers [lv]
Rihards Skudrītis [lv]
Kaspars Bārbals [lv]
Mārtiņš Pētersons [lv]
Ģirts Kļaviņš
Egons Kronbergs
Artūrs Jurjāns
Websitewww.skyforger.lv/

Skyforger is a heavy metal band from Latvia which was formed in 1995 out of the remains of doom metal band Grindmaster Dead.

Musical style and lyrical themes[edit]

Most of their songs are about Baltic mythology and warfare; they also play Latvian folk songs and their metal arrangements. Although Skyforger is known for their folk metal, the style on their demo Semigalls' Warchant [lv] is essentially black metal.[1] The band also has performed and recorded a number of folk songs, including the entirety of their acoustic fourth album Zobena Dziesma [lv], released in 2003.[2] Folk elements can be found on all of their albums. In December 2005, during the presentation of their album, Semigalls' Warchant, the band announced their next album would be experimentation with thrash metal. They later pointed out that Latvian history still has enough untold stories, meaning their lyrics will retain their folk/pagan fashion.

History[edit]

In 2010, Skyforger signed with American label Metal Blade Records and released their 5th studio album Kurbads about the deeds of mythical Latvian warrior Kurbads [lv], son of mare.[3][4][5][6] The album received 2010 Annual Latvian Music Recording Award as the best rock album, as well as the 2010 Latvian Metal Music Award as the best metal album with Skyforger also winning the "Best Metal Band" category.[7] Skyforger was featured on BBC's series "Close-Up" episode on Latvian folk music.[8]

In 2015, the band released their 6th studio album titled Senprūsija [lv] dedicated to the now extinct Baltic people Old Prussians. Two of the album's songs are sung in Old Prussian (Ei skīja, skīja and Rāmava), while the rest are in Latvian. For the writing of the album, Skyforger recruited historian Agris Dzenis as a historical consultant. After releasing the album, the band embarked on a European tour on April 8.[9][10] In 2016, Senprūsija received the Annual Latvian Music Recording Award as the best hard rock/heavy metal album of 2015. In 2016, Skyforger also re-issued their 2003 album Zobena dziesma with 2 additional songs.[11]

On June 3, 2017, Skyforger performed a one-time multi-media concert – metal opera "Kurbads. The Son of The Mare" – at Lielezers open-air stage in Limbaži as a part of a programme for 100th Anniversary of the Latvian Republic.[12] On February 14, 2018, the performance was awarded Kilogram of Culture award as the "Surprise of the Year".[13] On June 17, 2018, Skyforger played a special concert at the festival Zobens un Lemess commemorating the 20th anniversary since the release of their first full-length album Kauja pie Saules [lv] in 1998.[14][15] On 18 November 2018, the centenary for the proclamation of Latvia, Skyforger released a video directed by Kristīne Neikena and starring actress Maija Arvena Ozoliņa [lv] for their song Nekas nav aizmirsts from album Senprūsija.[16]

Controversy[edit]

Skyforger was involved in some controversy with one of their former producers who believed they were affiliated with Neo-Nazism. The reason for this was the cover of their album Pērkoņkalve, which depicts Baltic god of thunder Pērkons wearing a belt buckle adorned with a swastika and striking an anvil, as well as the swastika incorporated in Skyforger's logo. Some websites had therefore listed Skyforger as a Neo-Nazi band. The band addressed the controversy on their website, writing:

Skyforger has never been interested in any kind of national-socialistic ideology. Also not in any other ideologies whatsoever. All album themes and lyrics simply display pure Latvian pagan art and symbols, which have been used for thousands of years. (..) To our people, the swastika (or as called here - Thundercross) was a sign of the pagan god of Thunder, and it gives protection against evil things. On the first two album sleeves we even included labels which read "No Nazi stuff here" to avoid misunderstanding, and prevent false interpretation of the symbol. The Thundercross existed long before the NS regime of 1930s. Sadly, it seems that there is still prejudices against the symbol alive today; therefore Skyforger has removed the symbol from the logo permanently.

— Skyforger, [17]

Members[edit]

Current members
Former members
  • Imants Vovers [lv] – drums, backing vocals (1995–1998)
  • Rihards Skudrītis [lv] – guitar, backing vocals (1996–2000, 2001–2004, 2006–2008)
  • Edgars Krūmiņš [lv] ("Mazais") – drums, percussion (1998–2015)
  • Kaspars Bārbals [lv] – dūdas, kokles, backing vocals (2004–2012)
  • Mārtiņš Pētersons [lv] – guitar, backing vocals (2000–2001, 2008–2010)
  • Ģirts Kļaviņš ("Motors") – guitar, backing vocals (2004–2006)
  • Egons Kronbergs – guitar (2010–2013)
  • Artūrs Jurjāns – drums, percussion (2016–2022)

Timeline[edit]

Gallery[edit]

  • Band members at the Dark Troll Festival 2018
  • Singer and guitarist Pēteris
    Singer and guitarist Pēteris
  • Guitarist Alvis
    Guitarist Alvis
  • Bass player Edgars
    Bass player Edgars
  • Drummer Artūrs
    Drummer Artūrs

Discography[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Skyforger". Metal Storm. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  2. ^ "SKYFORGER'S Sword Song Shows that Modern Folk Metal can be Deeply Authentic". Metal Injection. May 17, 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  3. ^ "SKYFORGER Signs With METAL BLADE RECORDS". Blabbermouth.net. February 8, 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  4. ^ "Skyforger - Sign With Metal Blade Records". Metal Storm. February 9, 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  5. ^ Kaljo, Egils (February 10, 2010). "Skyforger signs deal with Metal Blade Records". Latvians Online. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  6. ^ Kaljo, Egils (February 2, 2011). "Skyforger's gruff lyrics tell the story of Latvian warrior Kurbads". Latvians Online. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  7. ^ "SKYFORGER Honored At Latvian Music Awards; Band Splits With Guitarist". Blabbermouth. 19 April 2011. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  8. ^ "SKYFORGER Featured In BBC Latvian Music Special". Blabbermouth.net. May 5, 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
  9. ^ "Skyforger goes Prussian for latest album". Public Broadcasting of Latvia. April 7, 2015. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  10. ^ Kaljo, Egils (August 26, 2015). "Heavy metal band Skyforger dedicate album to Ancient Prussia". Latvians Online. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  11. ^ Kaljo, Egils (May 25, 2016). "Skyforger reissues folk song album "Zobena dziesma"". Latvians Online. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  12. ^ "First metal opera to be staged in Latvia". The Baltic Course. April 5, 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  13. ^ "9 'Kilogram of Culture' awards presented at the official ceremony in Latvia". The Baltic Course. February 20, 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018. 'Surprise of the Year' award for 2017's achievements goes to the metal opera 'Kurbads. Son of Ķēve' by director Inga Tropa and the Skyforger Group with this production also being the first Latvian metal opera.'
  14. ^ "Skyforger - To Play Entire Debut Album, Win Latvian Awards". Metal Storm. 16 February 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  15. ^ "Internationally renowned "Skyforger" is calling for a grand concert". Latvia Travel. 16 February 2018. Archived from the original on 4 September 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
  16. ^ "SKYFORGER Releases 'Nothing Is Forgotten' Video". Blabbermouth.net. 20 November 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
  17. ^ "SKYFORGER Latvian Folk/Pagan Metal Band". Skyforger.com. Archived from the original on February 27, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2015.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Skyforger.
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