Skiltron is a band I'd run across years ago but never more than a song or two here and there. Not sure why I never picked up a full album, that's been remedied with Bruadarach, their sixth full-length album. Power metal with plenty of folk instruments is the basis for this band's sound, employing the bouzouki (a Greek stringed instrument like a lute), tin whistles and, in line with the kilted clansman on the cover, bagpipes. Their songwriting is an upbeat power metal style with lyrics that tell stories of battles long ago and as power metal goes, they are pretty heavy. There are synths, but the pipes do most of the heavy lifting that keyboards normally do in this type of music. It's an entertaining album with a strong group of songs led by perfect-for-the-live-setting tracks "I Am What I Am" and "Proud to Defend" which should have the crowd singing (or more likely shouting) along to in short order. I'm most reminded of bands like Orden Ogan in the songwriting and performances, or when they pick up the pace, like on the rambunctious "Rob Roy," Helloween. I will say this if you do not enjoy the sound of the bagpipes, you're going to find yourself in for an ordeal as Skiltron definitely do not skimp on them on Bruadarach. If you don't mind them and want some classy power metal with folky flourishes, this is an album to seek out.
