Canadian Folklore Metal Group SCYTHIA Releases New Track ‘Laugh of the Tsar’

Progressive/power folklore metal four-piece SCYTHIA recently announced the release of their fourth independent full-length album, Lineage, hitting stores this Wednesday, May 4.  Pre-orders for Lineage are available now via the band’s Bandcamp page.

Last month, SCYTHIA released their first single from the album, entitled “Soldier’s Lament”, and now follows up with another new track, “Laugh of the Tsar”. You can listen to the new track now via BeatRoute Magazine: http://beatroute.ca/2016/05/02/track-premiere-scythia-laugh-of-the-tsar/

SCYTHIA guitarist and vocalist Dave Khan states, “‘Laugh of the Tsar’ was written eight years ago and on Lineage we FINALLY give life to this surreal whirlwind of a symphonic metal track.  From beginning to end, the song charges ahead with a fast-tempo onslaught of melodic death metal against an orchestral backdrop with only a brief respite in the middle to showcase SCYTHIA‘s ability to weave beautiful slavic-style folk music into a crushing metal track.”

Although the band primarily self-produced the album, Lineage features engineering from Nino Laurenne (Firewind, Finntroll, Wintersun, Ensiferum) and Lasse Lammert (Alestorm, Gloryhammer, Powerwolf), and mastering from Svante Forsback (Rammstein, Volbeat, Firewind, Apocalyptica). Nino Laurenne is also responsible for mixing duties on the album. Lineage was recorded at LSD Studios in Lubeck, Germany and Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki, Finland.

Eternal Oath

Laugh of the Tsar

Barbarian

Soldier’s Lament

Loremaster pt. I

Loremaster pt. II

The Sacrifice

Lineage

As stated in a recent press release, Dave Khan mentions, “With Lineage,we feel that we’ve put our best foot forward and succeeded in delivering a follow-up to that progresses upon what we started with  …Of Conquest. This new one is faster, heavier and SLIGHTLY more serious-toned but also more dynamic and original than its predecessor.  This story will take the listener on a sonic voyage through peaks and valleys in true power metal style!”

SCYTHIA Canadian Tour Dates:
May 4 – Calgary, AB @ Dicken’s Pub – Official Album Release Party w/ Thunderstone and Viathyn

May 6 – Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theater w/ Thunderstone, Titans Eve, Terrifier and Mournir

May 7 – Edmonton, AB @ Starlite Room – Shredmonton Festival w/ Dying Fetus, Goatwhore, Acacia Strain, Black Crown Initiate and Thunderstone

SCYTHIA have been playing progressive power metal with a twist of folklore since 2008.  The band has coined their own sound while drawing influences from different genres such as celtic/gypsy folk music, power metal, death metal and progressive rock. SCYTHIA‘s albums and performances feature rich, poetic storytelling and grand tales that vividly captures the imagination of their listeners. Because of this, they have taken the independent scene by storm as they gather more and more fans both domestically and internationally.  Scythia acquired its name from vocalist/guitarist Dave Khan’s infatuation with ancient Slavic imagery and melodies inspired from Balkan music. The name is fitting for a grandiose sound as SCYTHIA is also an ancient empire spanning from the Caucasus through Russia, and even into eastern Scandinavia.

SCYTHIA delivered their first album Of War in 2010, which was quickly followed by their next release Of Exile in 2011. The latter scored SCYTHIA a nomination at Canada’s Sirius XM Indies Independent Music Awards in the Best Metal Group/Duo category, amongst the likes of Bison B.C., Derelict, Devin Townsend Project and Mares Of Thrace. In February 2014, the band released their most recognized release to date, …Of Conquest. The Canadian quartet’s lead single and music video, entitled”Bear Claw Tavern”, was first featured via GuitarWorld.com and instantly hit the web like wildfire. The video – described as a truly uproarious three-minute scorcher featuring SCYTHIA rocking out in a medieval tavern filled with hooligans and mysterious characters – garnered over 50,000 views in less than a few days, inciting io9 to dub it “20 times better than The Hobbit“.

…Of Conquest positioned the band with an opportunity to co-headline a major festival in Brazil and other festivals in the southeast US the following year. With the same production team behind their upcoming offering Lineage, SCYTHIA is poised to make 2016 their breakout year.

Dave Khan – Guitars, Vocals

Terry Savage – Bass Guitar, Growls

AJ Bergin – Guitars, Growls/Vocals

Celine Derval – Drums, Vocals