Skyclad were founded in 1990 by then former Sabbat vocalist Martin Walkyier and SatanPariah guitarist Steve Ramsey. The duos aim was to put together the ultimate pagan metal band initial ideas for the band included such extravagances as traditional Robin Hood costumes, though these concepts were soon dropped. Rounding out the group with another exmember of Pariah, bassist Graeme English, as well as drummer Keith Baxter, they penned a deal with Noise in 1991 and folk metal was born. The band’s name incidentally comes from the pagan term for ritual nudity, in which rituals are performed with the participants metaphorically clad only by the sky, as a sign of equality. The name alludes both to the bands religious leanings and to their social beliefs, as set out in the song Skyclad on their first album. A Bellyful Of Emptiness The very Best Of The Noise Years 1991 1995 features the very finest folk metal from the band’s 5 albums on Noise records. Skyclad is available for home delivery from Vinyl Records London, only £7 +P&P