Artist: Skyhammer
Title: Medieval Tales
Type: Album
Label: Digital
From the lowlands of Scotland come Skyhammer, with many an exemplary release upon their coat of arms and today they bring us some Medieval Tales to wafrm, warn and entertain us as we set out upon a journey.
A simple harp song melodyto gather the muscians together perhaps. A light tambourine, a soft drum played with dexterity to warm us as the sunlight rises on the path ahead. Slowly as though waking, the woodwind sounds deep and rich fill out the musicians and the road ahead looks brighter. The swell of the music rocks the carts forward and ‘The Caravan’ is fully the slow, steady rolling beast passing through a gate into the sunbathed green beyond. Well, perhaps, but such is the day it paints for me. No fear, no danger, just a light smile that the journey is ahead and the company good and strong. It is sucha complete sound; vibrant and with that medieval soul guiding the music. A little wonder in your heart is stirred, a little smile at the simple folk around you. All is good at the start of the journey.
‘Tales By The Fireside’ is where we halt for the night, perhaps some place ahead is not best seen at night, perhaps it is simply a sheltered place. The wind whistles softly, the warm campfire cracks and a guitar is strummed, a fiddle and drum take up the tale in flow and a sway ofr deep times and lives remembered. A hush falls upon the people as slow fiddle is joined by the sweet plucking of the harp. The tale is perhaps a little sad, a touch of melancholy but there is love within its melody too. A certainty. The music is rich and a perfect lullaby to end the day.
‘Roadside Ruins’ arrives with a little surprise. Perhaps we lost the road a little, but the ruins appear between the foliage as we approach. The music is tentatitve, wary. Ruins are often places where things perhaps left alone have happened. But there again it may simply be time and memory within. The sound is haunting, quiet and a little fearful wonder to to it. Maybe the company is braver than me as ‘Adventure In The Elven Ruins’ follows. The mood grows serious, deep music, sombre echoes. This is indeed a step of both bravery and curiosity. I see a lamp held high, steady steps, perhaps a smile or two on the faces of the bravest or the most foolhardy if they are indeed different. But slow and careful the music winds its way deeper. The sound is rich and evocative, a place of age and a world long gone. The swells to the music as sights are uncovered touch you deeply, the rise as Elven glory in remnants and erosion but not erasure are uncovered. The risk is worth it. A beautiful guitar peeks in and somehow moves with the grandeur of the memories around as though we are intruders no longer, we are witnesses to a glorious past and an incredible world. It is truly a beautiful pievce of music; graceful, soft, and offering so much treasure in memories rekindled.
‘A Knights Journey’ is recounted with fluttering pipe and a rousing tune. A sense of strength and purpose pushed it forward, the strings strong in their presence, the knight certain in their step. There is a gorgeous feel of strength but…well…humility to the tune. Not a knight of power and arrogance but of will and spirit. Beautiful fluid notes spur them on to adventure and we eagerly nod as they pass by in the tale.
‘Legend Of The Crimson Dragon’ is next to be told. Is there a link to our knight? Peraps. This is an introduction of dread and power but also the undeniable glory of such a beast. The dancing guitar notes, the pipe sounds perhaps what stands before the great creature. Those twin streams of music flow together, the sound raising our hearts into the world of high adventure, of legend. The music breathes no little tragedy, the feel of death rippling out like a grey shroud in the synth washes of melancholy, of loss. Is there no hope? Yet somehow the almost plaintive tune at the endholds a sadness, yes, but also a feeling of… quiet and peace that only sacrifice in victory can bring. Who knows. But we are safe.
‘Sorceress Of Dreams’ is a languid, soft moment. It wraps around you easily, gently and offering comfort. Yet sometimes, just here, there, on the edges of your quiet mind a sound, a note, feels… as though you have forgotten something. Some purpose you had? But the presence is so sweet to one so tired and sinking deeper into its softness is so easy. The music moves in the most gentle of waves. It offers simply rest, the falling away of care. Is this wrong? How can it be?
We awake to another tale. A warning this time in ‘The Undead Legions Of Sokol’ (a tribute to the Keep itself). Unearthly and dark it may be but we know it is far distant from us and so we can revel in the rich music, the dark shadows, the hideous undead, the echoes of a place that once had another soul. Ah, but there is a beauty to even this. The echoes of long dead choirs, the power of the Keep itself painted in epic shadow and moonlit notes.
Our journey nears its end and, perhaps as a reminder that we should be considerate of those we meet we have the ‘Song Of The Forlorn Maiden’. A sombre tune, a melody on some high pipe like a wistful prayer to what the maiden has lost. Around this the music moves on, acknowledging the tune but aware that the world is wide and you have chanced upon the deeply personal tragedy. For some reason I feel that there is little help that can be offered, little comfort; the music slowly glides into a tragic sound. Deep, dwonwards and onwards as though watching a lonely figure slowly fade into the shadows of their own lament.
Sorry. I have gone ona bit even for me. But with a history of excellent music, for me this is Skyhammer at their absolute finest. Rich, musically so fluent in expressing shades of emotion and world creation their medieval touch has created a wonderful journey here. A caravan you will want to ride along with time and time again.
Gizmo
Walking The Liminal Space 