A turn of events musically or simply a shot of rushing things in order to encourage a rapid escape from a record label that couldn't be dealt with anymore. It is claimed that SKYCLAD were getting things done fast for their next album in order to get rid of their home label since the very debut. I am unsure what caused it, but I won't dwell on too much business politics as it is nor place or my wish to waste your time. To be honest, "The Silent Whales Of Lunar Sea" didn't sound to me like a product of a band that did everything it could just to be done with it. As a matter of fact, it is more or less of a calculated move by the Brits. To yours truly it felt that the previous record was no more than an accident of birth, a demand to be tougher while still keeping an own identity. I might be wrong, yet I am sure that you will notice.

Two years prior to "The Silent Whales Of Lunar Sea", an amazing title by the way, "Jonah's Ark" was released. It featured SKYCLAD in a new form of music, closer than ever to what could be regarded as the Folk Metal spirit that has been desired. "Prince Of The Poverty Line", issued a year after, virtually took back the Metal manner of the first two albums as the main attraction, even if some would probably disagree. However, with the coming release of "The Silent Whales Of Lunar Sea", the band's Folk Metal trademark was retained along with Alternative liberties that were displayed on "Jonah's Ark". Furthermore, at least partial of the songwriting sounded kind of simplified in comparison to their past compositions, a tentatively relaxing content that is highly flowing and inviting. However, SKYCLAD still aimed higher, featuring songs that would advise the opposite of what I mentioned, enslaving the Alternative Nation along, splendid twin guitar melodies and divergent licks along with Progressive Rock / Rock N' Roll elements to their favor, writing multiplex, even bizarre, tunes that will entice your thought patterns. Once again it seemed that SKYCLAD walked through the same crossroads that was in their way back in 1992, but this time, and I can assure you, that the road taken won't change, probably ever.

The provocatively titled "Art-Nazi", could be a simple case of not judging book by its cover, is a conjuration of melodic Metal licks, a sort of loosen 90s Alternative / Punk vibe riffing, and a fiddle leading towards another triumph over figments of evil. In general, and it would be evident on other tracks, there is a tending towards the bizarre as SKYCLAD search for new borders to crack open is on. "Halo Of Flies" emerged as a somewhat darkened feature within the album's ranks. Largely, there is a grey halo over the tunes, yet this one in particular feels murkier, its music is divine, catchy rhythm guitar riffs, wonderful solo, rather traditional, between Heavy Metal to Hard Rock, in its sense. "Another Fine Mess" is SKYCLAD of the mid 90s, a same pattern that will be featured on its next phases of its long journey, Metal music accompanying the Folklore aspects that serve as the main course. However, when push comes to shove, there is enough guitar melodies, soloing and fiddle licks to keep the listener in play. "Just What Nobody Wanted" emphasizes the definitive musical progress of the band, taking on a melodic imprint along with a form of rhythm guitar grooving while "Desperanto (A Song for Europe?)" surprisingly manifested the opposite of the former, sharing a MOTORHEADish type of Speed Metal, including a powerful soloing and one hell of a cracking chorus. A blast from the past you say, maybe it was. Others recommended: "Brimstone Ballet", "Turncoat Rebellion" and "A Stranger in the Garden".

After "The Silent Whales Of Lunar Sea" set sail, and on sale, SKYCLAD shifted to another label for the next era of their constant career. Things wouldn't be the same lineup wise in the coming years, especially with Martin Walkyier leaving the group. However, through this album and ones before it, on this reissue series, it is possible to capture an evolutionary process of a band that worked its way to become one of the most influential bands in Folk Metal, needless to say that they have always been far from Norse trending, which is an important factor on its own. Be good to yourself and bear witness to how far these guys went in five years.