Skyclad and Waylander to perform in Italy this summer

Here are the details of the second day (August 3rd) of the Malpaga Folk & Metal Fest that will take place this summer near Bergamo, Italy. Performances will start at 19:00.

Dark Ages

Following their cancelled performance due to rain two editions ago, the Veronese band returns with their original prog-folk rich with rock veins. Formed in the late 1980s thanks to the unwavering determination of guitarist Simone Calciolari excellently supported by keyboardist Angela Busato, the group has carried forward the banner of its particular genre since its founding. Five albums are a good calling card.

Balthuttar

Already applauded in 2018, the group from Vicenza, who has been on the track since 2011 by Mattia Pivotto, bring to Malpaga their folk of the Cimbrian culture, particularly the Asiago Plateau. mixing in modern key sonorities and even different languages (English, Italian and ancient Cimbrian of the Sette Comuni). The Guardians of the Forest (the meaning of their name) have in Ilaria Vellar on the accordion, the frontwoman of the formation. One demo and two albums under their belt.

Waylander

Formed in 1993, Waylander released their debut demo in early 1995. Mixing Irish folk music with extreme metal, Waylander were soon dubbed Folk-Celtic or Pagan Metal. Waylander soon made to gain prominence in the nascent Folk Metal scene, a position later cemented when they signed to Century Media their hit album, “Reawakening Pride Once Lost”. In 2011 they held an acclaimed and very long European tour after stabilizing the lineup. Now working on their as-yet-untitled sixth studio album, the “Wayfarers” are at the top of their game and ready to take the world stage with exciting new material to celebrate 30 years in the business.

Skyclad 

A great gift is the presence of the British Skyclad from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, forerunners of the folk-metal genre who have chosen Malpaga itself to celebrate their 30th anniversary as well by retracing some of the stages of their recording achievements since the group was founded by Martin Walkyier with guitarist Steve Ramsey. After 15 albums, Skyclad (transl. Clothed Only in Heaven), who consider themselves the direct heirs of Robin Hood, are ready to set the big castle stage ablaze; the dilemma will be which repertoire to present: so many small masterpieces birthed by the Newcastle band in which a heavy-power-thrash metal still a bit immature and far too complex is mixed with a folk-metal, bestowed especially at the height of acoustic ballads and full of pagan and Wiccan mysticism…