Well, if this isn't breath of fresh air, I don't know what is. We all know SKYCLAD, the Folk Metal Band that had Martin Walkyier as frontman and was very much an unpolished projectile that just didn't hold back in emotion or roughness. It made SKYCLAD into an acquired taste. After things when a bit haywire the singer was replaced by Kevin Ridley, and with his much more melodic voice and approach SKYCLAD turned into a kind of watered-down version of the original. That didn't go down well with a part of the fan base, while the other part actually welcomed the change.

To have something to do besides that band, singer Kevin Ridley decided to start a separate project, just to keep himself busy. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic he actually had more time on his hands than he expected, and it resulted in a lot of musicians offering their services to make new music with him. In the end it was decided that he would pick a few men to form a permanent band, and this new band would be called THEIGNS AND THRALLS, which simply means Masters and Slaves. And because there was so much time, the end result actually became this album with the same name.

This is Folk Rock of very high quality, and with the usual Irish pub music as well as the Viking influences and Sea Shanty sing along songs. And although this is Rock, it hardly goes into Metal territory. Only the tuning of the guitars on the heavier parts adheres to that, but seeing as how little this occurs, it is safe to say they this is a very accessible album. you can play this at a party, and I'm sure that after a small period of apprehension the people gathered will start singing along to all these beautiful tunes.

And yes, "Theigns & Thralls" also hosts a very nice playing order, making everything flow into each other in the most natural way. I always feel that is the hardest part of putting a record together, placing the songs where they will come out the strongest. THEIGNS AND THRALLS have been able to do that perfectly, and it makes for an album that will be put on repeat many a time. The last three songs on the album are bonus tracks, and they are all different from the ones you have encountered before. But, I have to admit, they all work. Especially the last one, which definitely is a step away from what you would expect from THEIGNS AND THRALLS.