At first I wasn’t sure whether to review this album due to the fact that it was (what appeared to be) a demo recording. But then, once I put it on, I couldn’t put it down. Opening with a rip roaring high-hat and raunchy guitar riff joined by highland pipes “Glenan Blue�� it then drifts into something you might expect from a recording by Bjork. It’s a crude but attention-grabbing use of audio experimentation that leaves the listener in no doubt that this is a band that means business. Utilising the Gaelic language for the songs brings to mind a youthful, energised Capercaillie and there’s nothing wrong with that as Skilda give their own twist to the established “An Nighean Dubh��. Followed by the chant inducing “Saorsa (Freedom, Future)�� this exciting explosion of folk/techno/jazz/rock may not be as forward thinking as it purports to be but it seriously gives a good kick up the backside where other bands fear to tread. Take my word for it, this is the kind of act that every seasoned ‘folk’ festival organiser should try to finish with such is the band’s butt-kicking enthusiasm. So, no shrinking violets here then but then again a stiff dose of excitable rhythm never hurt anyone unless you’re a serious ‘folk’ traditionalist and let’s face it, how many of those are still around these days? www.skilda.com