Skyclad

Skyclad is widely credited as the pioneer of the folk metal genre, formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1990. The band was born from the collaboration between Martin Walkyier (ex-Sabbat) and Steve Ramsey (ex-Satan), aiming to merge the aggression of thrash metal with the melodic sensibilities of British folk.

Their debut, 'The Wayward Sons of Mother Earth', introduced the violin as a permanent fixture in a metal lineup, a revolutionary move at the time. Throughout the 1990s, they evolved from a thrash-heavy sound into a more nuanced, 'folk-rock-metal' hybrid characterized by Walkyier's dense, pun-heavy lyrical style and Ramsey's inventive riffing. Following Walkyier's departure in 2001, guitarist Kevin Ridley took over vocal duties, steering the band toward a slightly more melodic and accessible 'Irish pub' metal sound. They remain a cult institution, influencing a vast wave of European folk metal bands while maintaining a distinctively British, socially conscious identity that avoids the escapist tropes common in the genre.