Folkémon cover

Folkémon

Skyclad · 2000

47 min · 10 tracks · heavy metal

A whirlwind of thrash rhythms and folk melodies, intertwining storytelling with biting social commentary.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    The Great Brain Robbery — This opening track sets the tone with its fast-paced instrumentation and sharp lyrics critiquing societal complacency, establishing a thematic foundation for the album.
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    Polkageist! — The song features an infectious melody paired with witty lyrics that playfully address cultural myths, exemplifying the band's knack for merging humor with serious commentary.
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    The Antibody Politic — This track showcases a powerful blend of aggressive riffs and thought-provoking lyrics about political apathy, reflecting the band's commitment to socially conscious themes.
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    You Lost My Memory — A more introspective piece, this song highlights the band's versatility, balancing heavy instrumentation with poignant reflections on personal loss and nostalgia.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100
Treeline
Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

Skyclad's unique fusion of thrash and folk elements creates a distinctive sound with strong lyrical narratives.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a fast-paced thrash track that features rapid guitar riffs and aggressive drumming, setting a high energy level.
  • The lyrics often employ storytelling techniques, with each song presenting a narrative that critiques social issues.
  • The final track slows down the tempo significantly, providing a contrast to the preceding intensity and allowing for reflection.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • thought-provoking lyrical exploration
  • dynamic shifts in energy
  • immersive storytelling experiences
  • varied pacing throughout tracks

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 2000, Folkémon marks Skyclad's sixth studio album, following the acclaimed A Burnt Offering for the Bone Idol. At this point, the band had solidified their unique blend of folk metal and thrash, continuing to evolve their sound while maintaining a strong lyrical focus on social issues.
Stylistic neighbors
Finntroll· Eluveitie· Korpiklaani

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 The Great Brain Robbery 4:34
  • 2 Think Back and Lie of England 4:59
  • 3 Polkageist! 4:01
  • 4 Crux of the Message 4:52
  • 5 The Disenchanted Forest 7:10
  • 6 The Antibody Politic 3:18
  • 7 When God Logs-Off 3:09
  • 8 You Lost My Memory 5:57
  • 9 Déjà-Vu Ain't What It Used to Be 5:45
  • 10 Any Old Irony? 3:50

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata