Skyforger

Latvian folk songs are sung loudest by the pagan metal band Skyforger. Its origins can be traced  back to a doom metal band whose members decided in 1995 to focus on the folklore and history  of their ancestors. Thanks to the charisma and creative talent of its leader, Pēteris Kvetkovskis,  the band has managed to attract fans of heavy metal music and folklore enthusiasts alike. Its  sound is characterised by bagpipes, kokle and traditional melodies. 

With its convincing blend of heavy metal music and folk songs, Skyforger’s signature  sound is among the most recognisable globally in the pagan metal style. Thanks to Kvetkovskis’  personality and interpretive talent, people of various generations in Latvia have learned what good  heavy metal music is; fans of heavy metal music, in turn, have developed an interest in folklore. 

Skyforger has performed extensively in Europe, as well as in the United States and Brazil.  In 2015, the group received the Latvian Music Recording Industry Award for album of the year  (Senprūsija), and in 2017, it created the open-air heavy metal opera Kurbads. Ķēves dēls. The  band celebrated its 30th anniversary by releasing its ninth studio album, Teikas, which tells about  the mythical times when gods, devils, witches and werewolves lived alongside humans. 

Pēteris Kvetkovskis – voice, guitar, folk instruments, warriors’ voices 

Edgars “Zirgs” Grabovskis – bass guitar, folk instruments, warriors’ voices 

Alvis Bernāns – guitar, soldiers’ voices 

Jānis Osis – drums, percussion

Photo: Jēkabs Vilkārsis