Skyclad is an English heavy metal band heavily influenced by folk. The term "skyclad" originates from a pagan/wiccan concept referring to ritual nudity, where rituals are performed with participants metaphorically clothed only by the sky, symbolising equality. The name reflects both the band's religious inclinations and their social beliefs, as expressed in the song "Skyclad" on their debut album.

History

The band was founded in 1990 by former Sabbat vocalist Martin Walkyier and Satan/Pariah guitarist Steve Ramsey, following Walkyier's departure from Sabbat due to a disagreement with guitarist Andy Sneap regarding the band's musical direction. Their goal was to form the "ultimate pagan metal band," initially envisioning ideas like traditional Robin Hood costumes, though these concepts were soon abandoned. They completed the lineup with another ex-Pariah member, bassist Graeme English, and drummer Keith Baxter. The band signed with the German record label Noise International and released their debut album, The Wayward Sons of Mother Earth in 1991.

Skyclad's 13th studio album, Forward Into The Past, was released on 28 April 2017 via Listenable Records. This album is notable for being the first since 1995's Silent Whales of Lunar Sea to feature second guitarist Dave Pugh, who returned to Skyclad as a full member in 2014.

It was announced in May 2025, that Kevin Ridley had decided to leave the band to give more time to his family and his other project/band Theigns & Thralls. A follow-up announcement was made by the band that they had decided to continue as a five-piece, with the remaining line-up staying the same, with Dave Pugh handling the vocals.

In December 2025, the band announced that Pugh was taking a break of an unspecified length and nature, stating that he remained a "good friend" of the bad and might return later. His replacement was named as Al Batchelor.

Band members

<gallery perrow="6" caption="Skyclad at Rockharz Open Air, Germany, 2018">

File:Skyclad Rockharz 2018 07.jpg|Steve Ramsey

File:Skyclad Rockharz 2018 06.jpg|Graeme "Bean" English

File:Skyclad Rockharz 2018 01.jpg|Georgina Biddle

File:Skyclad Rockharz 2018 14.jpg|Arron Walton

</gallery>

Current

  • Steve Ramsey – guitars <small>(1990–present)</small>
  • Graeme "Bean" English – bass <small>(1990–present)</small>
  • Georgina Biddle – violin, fiddle, keyboards <small>(1994–present)</small>
  • Arron Walton – drums <small>(2001–present)</small>
  • Al Batchelor – vocals, guitars <small>(2025-present)</small>

Former

  • Martin Walkyier – vocals <small>(1990–2001)</small>
  • Dave Pugh – guitars <small>(1992–1995, 2014–2025)</small>, vocals <small>(2025)</small>
  • Kevin Ridley – guitars <small>(1998–2025),</small> vocals <small>(2001–2025)</small>
  • Keith Baxter – drums <small>(1990–1995; died 2008)</small>
  • Fritha Jenkins – violin, keyboards <small>(1992–1993)</small>
  • Catherine Howell – violin, keyboards <small>(1994)</small>
  • Paul A.T. Kinson – drums <small>(1996–1997)</small>
  • Jay Graham – drums <small>(1998–2001)</small>

Live/session

  • Danny Porter – guitar <small>(1992)</small>
  • Dave Ray – guitar <small>(1995)</small>
  • Jed Dawkins – drums <small>(1995)</small>
  • Paul Smith – drums <small>(1996)</small>
  • Dave Moore – guitar <small>(1996)</small>
  • Nick Acons – guitar, violin <small>(1997)</small>
  • Mitch Oldham – drums <small>(1997)</small>

Timeline

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Discography

Studio albums

  • The Wayward Sons of Mother Earth (1991)
  • A Burnt Offering for the Bone Idol (1992)
  • Jonah's Ark (1993)
  • Prince of the Poverty Line (1994)
  • The Silent Whales of Lunar Sea (1995)
  • Irrational Anthems (1996)
  • Oui Avant-Garde á Chance (1996)
  • The Answer Machine? (1997)
  • Vintage Whine (1999)
  • Folkémon (2000)
  • A Semblance of Normality (2004)
  • In the... All Together (2009)
  • Forward into the Past (2017)

Compilations and live albums

  • Old Rope compilation (1996)
  • Poetic Wisdom compilation (limited tour Greek edition) (2001)
  • Another Fine Mess live album (2001)
  • Live at the Dynamo compilation/live album (2002)
  • History Lessens compilation (2002)
  • No Daylights... Nor Heel Taps compilation/re-recording (2002)

Singles and EPs

  • Tracks from the Wilderness EP (1992)
  • "Thinking Allowed?" (1993) UK No. 135
  • Outrageous Fourtunes limited edition EP (1998)
  • Classix Shape limited edition EP (1999)
  • "Swords of a Thousand Men" (2001)
  • Jig-a-Jig limited edition EP (2006)

Videos

  • "Emerald" (1992)
  • "Thinking Allowed?" (1993)
  • "Inequality Street" (1996)
  • "Words Upon the Street" directed by Fernando J. Martínez (2009)
  • "Change Is Coming" directed by Fernando J. Martínez (2017)
  • "Starstruck?" directed by Fernando J. Martínez (2017)
  • "Words Fail Me" directed by Fernando J. Martínez (2018)

References

  • Official website