Much like Sabbat, Skyclad would fail to make much of an impact on the music scene...although this is often the case when the "industry" and the media can't find a way to pigeon-hole a band, or if the music being created doesn't fit in with the zeitgeist of the time (Grunge and the later end of pure Thrash in this case). Time of course, has proved that what they did could and has become a relatively successful sub-genre of Metal and has attracted a decent fanbase. Although Skyclad themselves have remained relatively obscure, the influence they have had and continue to have on Folk Metal bands is obvious. Quite a legacy.
"Mid-era" Skyclad lineup.
Skyclad - "Sky Beneath My Feet" (1991)
There are, however, those who would point out that Bathory pre-dated Skyclad and that founder Qourthon, should receive the credit for kick-starting the genre!? Well, yes! This is a good argument...in a way. Yes, Quorthon was one of the first to write about pagan themes and he was certainly the artist who had the most success with it and was clearly passionate about his Scandinavian roots and its Viking history. The band also had an "interesting", distinctive, Manowar style image. But I don't think it can be denied that for the most part, Bathory were a Thrash/Black Metal band with Prog tendencies. That is why I don't consider them the first true Folk/Pagan Metal band. In later years Bathory would embark on a less aggressive, more folk-influenced direction, but in this case they were followers, not leaders.
Early Bathory promo shot
Bathory - "Twilight Of The Gods" (1991)
On reflection though, I think it is definitely Bathory who had the biggest impact on the genre (much as it pains me to type that) as there are countless bands today who use the mythology and history of the Vikings as a base for their lyrical themes (Amon Amarth, Einherjer, MÃ¥negarm...the list goes on almost endlessly), and the scene is much bigger and stronger in Scandinavia. I think that Bathory certainly were and are an important band in the story of Folk Metal but, I think that they had more of an influence on the Black Metal scene, especially bands such as Enslaved and their ilk, rather than on the Folk Metal (musically, at least).
In the next part I will look at the other early bands to embrace the Pagan/Folk sound and discuss the different musical and cultural directions they took.
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