Skyforger

Skyforger are a folk metal band from Rīga, Latvia, formed in 1995. Their music combines Baltic folk traditions with metal styles including pagan metal, black metal and heavy metal, and their material often focuses on Latvian history, mythology and pre-Christian traditions.

History and style

The band begins with the demo album Semigalls' Warchant in 1997, which centres on the last free pagan tribes of the Baltic region and their conflicts with Christian invaders in the thirteenth century. Their first full-length album, Kauja pie Saules (The Battle of Saule), follows in 1998, and their 2000 release Latviešu strēlnieki (Latvian Riflemen) turns to the First World War. In 2003 the band releases Pērkoņkalve (Thunderforge), which returns to themes of ancient Baltic traditions, myths and wisdom. That same year they also issue Zobena dziesma (Sword Song), an acoustic album of Latvian folk music.

The group signs to the German label Folter Records at the end of 2002. In 2005 the label releases Semigalls' Warchant on CD with all of the original demo tracks, newly remastered, and with an additional EP, Asinslauks. Skyforger later release Kurbads on Metal Blade Records in 2010. That album is a conceptual work about the Latvian fairytale hero Kurbads, who is born magically from a white mare and performs many deeds. Kurbads is chosen as best metal album at the Latvian Music Awards in 2010.

Their 2015 album Senprūsija (Old Prussia) is released on Thunderforge Records and deals with the extinct Old Prussian Baltic tribes, their mythology, and their life and death. The album is voted best rock and metal album at the Golden Microphone awards in 2015. The band tours for three years in support of the record and performs in 24 countries.

Members

Current members are Pēteris Kvetkovskis on guitar and vocals, Edgars Grabovskis “Zirgs” on bass guitar and backing vocals, Alvis Bernāns on guitars, and Jānis Osis on drums. Kvetkovskis and Grabovskis are both former members of Grindmaster Dead; Bernāns also plays with Green Novice.

Former members include Imants Vovers on drums, Ģirts Kļaviņš “Motors” on guitar, Rihards Skudrītis on guitars, Mārtiņš Pētersons on guitar, Kaspars Bārbals on various folk instruments and backing vocals, Egons Kronbergs on guitars, Edgars Krūmiņš “Mazais” on drums, and Artūrs Jurjāns on drums. Several of these musicians are also associated with other groups, including Druun, Auļi, Iļģi and Uguns.

Other activity

Skyforger perform at festival stages across Europe and also in the USA and South America. Their listed discography also includes the 2022 videos Jump, Fir Tree and Romuve (live), the 2018 video Nothing Is Forgotten, and the 2015 video The Black Sails.