Ten years have passed since the last studio album by legendary veteran Latvian pagan metal band Skyforger, but, in 2025, the group released their latest album – Teikas.
Skyforger perform in an extreme metal style, with heavily distorted guitars, rapid fire pounding drums and screamed or growled vocals. Still, the group has always had a strong melodic aspect to their music, and have included traditional Latvian instruments like the kokle and the stabule in their songs.
The group also find inspiration in Latvian history and legends, and many of their albums have been based on such legends, for example, 2010’s Kurbads, about the legendary powerful warrior who was the son of a mare. The group have also explored the stories of other Baltic nations, such as the ancient Prussians on 2015’s Senprūsija. Though most of Skyforger’s recordings are of an aggressive and relentless style, the group also does occasionally perform in a traditional Latvian folk style, such as on 2003’s Zobena dziesma.
The thunderous guitars of ‘Rex Semigalliae’ present the story of the sword of Viestards, the renowned leader of the Semigallians (Zemgalieši). The sword, found in the ruins of the demolished castle of Tērvete, supposedly was cursed, and caused a destructive fire in the castle of Casimir Kettler, a baron in the Duchy of Courland.
The slower, but no less powerful ‘Svētbrizs’, tells of a sacred grove (a dense forest believed by pagans to have mystical powers), and one of these groves remains today near the town of Kuldīga in Kurzeme.
Besides telling of legends, Skyforger also honor the contribution of Latvians throughout history in ‘Vecie latvieši’ (or ‘old time Latvians’), a reverent song about the many older Latvians that having lived history, continue to pass down legends and stories of what Latvia was like in previous decades to younger generations, ensuring that these stories are not forgotten.
Those who purchase the physical CD will find more information about the songs in the booklet. Though the lyrics are not included, there are detailed notes on the legends and historical events that inspired each song, which certainly helps appreciate the legends and stories behind the songs. It also further displays the reverence Skyforger have for their Latvian heritage and history.
Skyforger continue to actively perform throughout the world, and are planning a European tour in February of 2026, with stops in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands.
For three decades now (Skyforger were founded in 1995), the group has, with their aggressive music and lyrics steeped in legends and history, firmly established themselves as the premiere Latvian heavy metal ensemble. Though a long ten years passed between albums, Teikas has been worth the wait and is one of their most consistent and satisfying releases.
For further information, please visit the Skyforger website.
Teikas
Skyforger
Thunderforge Records TFR 006, 2025
Track listing:
1. Mālpils purvs
2. Dieva Suns
3. Spēlmanis
4. Spīgana
5. Mājas kungs
6. Rex Semigalliae
7. Svētbirzs
8. Zilaiskalns
9. Velnakmens
10. Lietuvēns
11. Alšvangas dūdas
12. Pelīte
13. Vecie latvieši
Egils Kaljo is an American-born Latvian from the New York area . Kaljo began listening to Latvian music as soon as he was able to put a record on a record player, and still has old Bellacord 78 rpm records lying around somewhere.
