### Skiltron: Beheading the liars

#### 04/08/08 || Euthanatos

Skiltron’s “Beheading the Liars” starts with the sound of a chilly wind (and how would a cool wind sound? or a summer breeze? EH?) and a thick Scottish accent telling tales of glorious days, as bagpipes overtake the ambiance. As a matter of fact, pretty much everything on this album reeks of Scotland, Scottish things, Scottish history, Scottish pride, lots of Celtic/Scottish musical elements. So this is a Scottish band, yes? Actually, they’re Argentinian.

Proof of globalization and the ever smaller world thanks to the Internet, Skiltron shows that you can be passionate about something that is miles away and do a damn good job while you’re at it. While delivering solid power metal which is of the more aggressive and interesting kind, not overly melodic and gay, the band also uses traditional Scottish elements perfectly. Bagpipes, tin whistles, flutes, violins, it all greatly enhances the album’s sound. On top of all that, Diego Valdez has very cool pipes, reminiscent of the great Ronnie James, something that makes “Beheading the Liars” all the more pleasing.

The title-track is really cool, epic even, “Praying is Nothing” has some excellent violin passages, “The Vision of Blind Harry” starts beautifully mellow, and then some great riffs take over. The band also shines in slower moments, like in “Let the Spirit Be”. “Crides” finishes things off acoustically, some killer guitar work, pretty awesome.

Although the Scottish motif has been beaten to death, it’s good to see that some stories can go on forever. Skiltron has found a way of renewing interest in this topic, making a very good album and perfectly blending old and new elements on their sophomore effort. Keep ‘em coming.

The cover: A Scottish kilt-wearing warrior about to behead a couple of fuckers with an AXE. Now that’s metal.

8 wha’s like us? Damn few and they’re a’ deid out of 10.

- Information
- Released: 2008
- Label: Independent
- Website: www.skiltron.net
- Band
- Diego Valdez: vocals
- Emilio Souto: guitars, mandolin
- Juan Jose Fornes: guitars
- Fernando Marty: bass
- Matias Pena: drums
- Pablo Allen: scottish bagpipes, tin whistle

- Tracklist
- 01.Skiltron
- 02. The Beheading
- 03. I’m What You’ve Done
- 04. Praying is Nothing
- 05. Calling Out
- 06. The Vision of Blind Harry
- 07. Hate Dance
- 08. Signs, Symbols and the Marks of Man
- 09. Let the Spirit Be
- 10. Fast and Wild
- 11. Crides