From the start, they have incorporated a diverse range of influences from British folk music to German Thrash Metal which has fed their constantly evolving sound. They are widely considered the inventors of Folk Metal.
The lineup remained stable for the recording of 2000's Folkémon, but founding member Walkyier left the band in 2001, citing various reasons, such as financial difficulties or the bands unwillingness to tour in South America owing to security concerns as the final straw, though other band members have commented that his somewhat pessimist personality was one of the major contributing factors to the groups lineup instability. Walkyier went on to form The Clan Destined. For many fans, Walkyiers lyrics and delivery style were one of the bands central attractions, and there were fears that his departure spelled the end of the band. After replacing drummer Jay Graham (who left shortly after Walkyier) and moving Kevin Ridley onto vocals, the group sprang into action to remedy these fears with 2002's No Daylights...Nor Heel Taps which featured studio recordings of "Irish Pub versions" of Skyclad classics by the new line-up, proceeded by a single, 2001's "Swords of a Thousand Men". The single's title track, a cover tune (originally recorded by Tenpole Tudor), also appeared on Folkémon as a bonus track, although in a different version. The single featured two recordings of the track, one of them with Ridley on vocals and one with Ridley sharing the microphone with Ten Pole Tudor's vocalist Edward Tudor-Pole. The single/album release was accompanied by the 'The Same...But Different' tour, the largest Skyclad had undertaken for many years. Also in 2001 the band released Another Fine Mess, which featured live recordings from 1995 and the contents of the Outrageous Fourtunes EP.
2004's A Semblance of Normality marks the bands first new material from the post-Walkyier era (there had been some unpleasantness between Walkyier and the other band members over copyrights and royalties for his lyrics, as well as the release of tracks featuring him), keeps very much in the vein of previous releases, with Ridley's lyrics making an obvious effort to follow similar themes and styles to Walkyiers whilst retaining an individual identity. The album has probably been the most widely received of their releases, probably due to better distribution and word-of-mouth advertising, and has received much critical acclaim, especially in the English-speaking world, where, ironically (given the use of inventive wordplay in their titles and lyrics, much of it aimed at native English speakers), the band is almost unknown. However, in South America and mainland Europe they have been extremely popular for many years, especially in Germany and Greece.
Skyclad's current release is an EP, Jig-a-Jig, self-released by the Band. A new album was recorded in summer 2008, it is to be released in late 2008 or 2009.
Four songs from the band's latest releases are available for both streaming and download at the Skyclad page at MySpace.
Eirenarch
Skyclad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But what does that mean to a social security number?
A grey suit as sharp as a new guillotine,
Bought and paid for while drugging us under
Tell me what use is a citizens charter
When blood is the ink for the new Magna Carta?
Sci-fi style weapons in feudal societies
[Chorus]
Brought to our knees by the powers that maybe,
Don't care if humanity lives or it dies.
You're alright Jack - so you pulled up the ladder
And hook, line and sinker you swallowed their lies.
Now it seems that the truth is not easy to say
Mouth stuffed with the goodies they sample.
Stripped by their mistresses - tied up and flayed
Like pye-dogs that would lead by example
Not enough answers - and cash payed for questions
Waste paper baskets - filled with good suggestions
Show me a promise they made that has lasted
Successes have fathers - but failure's a bastard
[Chorus]
Your Motto was 'in god we trust all others pay by cash'
You hide beneath oak tables when the windows start to smash
The natives are revolving open season on the scum
Sit back and wait forever for the Eirenarch to come
Rich and poor divide the classes, instigate two types of law
Making nineteen nineties Heaven feel like 1984
Your finger on the trigger of a 12-bore in the dark
When justice knocks upon your door send for the Eirenarch.
The Skyclad song "Eirenarch" is a political commentary on a society where freedom and democracy are nothing but illusions. The lyrics criticize the system that claims to be free and democratic but is, in reality, controlling and manipulating the masses. The first verse highlights the irony of being a "free man" while being identified by a "social security number" and working in a corporate world where the suits and ties feel like "guillotines" ready to force compliance on the people. The citizens' charter is useless as it represents the corporate ideology, exploiting the people and suppressing their voice. The song also speaks about a society where technology and feudalism coexist, and the powerful people's anxiety is reflected in their impulsive and insensitive actions.
The chorus of the song speaks about how the irresponsible power-hungry leaders of the society do not care if humanity thrives or dies as they have already pulled up the ladder and swallowed the people's trust as their lies. They are indifferent towards the welfare of others and continuously exploit the vulnerable.
The second verse speaks about how the truth is often silenced in a society where cash is king. The mistresses of power strip people of their dignity and leave them tied and flayed as pye-dogs to lead by example. The song talks about the failure of the powerful leaders with their numerous unanswered questions and discarded suggestions. The system is corrupt, and neither the promises nor the successes represent the voice of the people.
Overall, "Eirenarch" is a powerful song that questions the integrity of a society where freedom and democracy are only illusions that hide the truth and shield the corrupt from justice.
Line by Line Meaning
You say I'm a free man,
You claim I have personal liberty,
But what does that mean to a social security number?
However, what does that truly signify when I am classified by a bureaucratic identification system?
A grey suit as sharp as a new guillotine,
A dull-colored, professional attire that symbolizes the oppression and control over the common people.
Bought and paid for while drugging us under
Clothing intentionally chosen to distract and numb the public from the reality of their situation.
Tell me what use is a citizens charter
What is the purpose of a document that promises the rights of citizens?
When blood is the ink for the new Magna Carta?
However, when the document is written in the blood of those who it fails to protect?
Sci-fi style weapons in feudal societies
Advanced weaponry in archaic social systems
Fingers on buttons that twich with anxiety
The nervousness and apprehension of those who control such technology
[Chorus]
Brought to our knees by the powers that maybe,
Don't care if humanity lives or it dies.
You're alright Jack - so you pulled up the ladder
And hook, line and sinker you swallowed their lies.
The corrupt government has oppressed the people while simultaneously remaining indifferent to their survival. Affluent individuals, such as Jack, have accepted and contributed to this oppression.
Now it seems that the truth is not easy to say
Currently, it appears that honesty is difficult to express regarding the government's actions.
Mouth stuffed with the goodies they sample.
Individuals are silenced with material incentives to prevent them from speaking out.
Stripped by their mistresses - tied up and flayed
Those in power humiliate and injure their subordinates.
Like pye-dogs that would lead by example
Individuals, once respected, are portrayed as corrupted role models.
Not enough answers - and cash payed for questions
Lack of resolution, despite monetary investments that aimed to acquire answers.
Waste paper baskets - filled with good suggestions
Helpful ideas are disregarded and disposed of by those in charge.
Show me a promise they made that has lasted
Provide evidence of a prior commitment that the government upheld.
Successes have fathers - but failure's a bastard
Those in power take credit for successes, but attribute blame to others for failure.
[Chorus]
Reiteration of how the corrupt powers have yielded devastating consequences on society.
Your Motto was 'in god we trust all others pay by cash'
Your philosophy was that money is the driving force of society.
You hide beneath oak tables when the windows start to smash
The corrupt individuals coward and seek protection when protest arises.
The natives are revolving open season on the scum
The people are actively seeking justice against those who have oppressed them.
Sit back and wait forever for the Eirenarch to come
Obstruction of justice is deeply embedded in the system as individuals wait for an undetermined amount of time for a messenger of justice, the Eirenarch, to arrive.
Rich and poor divide the classes, instigate two types of law
Social class separates people and results in unequal legal treatment.
Making nineteen nineties Heaven feel like 1984
Current society feels more similar to George Orwell's dystopian novel, 1984, than a utopian 90s dream.
Your finger on the trigger of a 12-bore in the dark
You're prepared to harm others for self-preservation in the face of danger.
When justice knocks upon your door send for the Eirenarch.
Only when there is no other option left, the corrupt call for justice to subdue those who have sought retribution upon them.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind