SCYTHIA Return With Xmas Song '…Of Santa'

Canada’s favorite purveyors of folk/prog metal, Scythia are back once again with a re-mixed and re-mastered version of their holiday tune '…Of Santa', a cheerful track about Santa and his brave reindeer!

'…Of Santa' – audio streams:

http://scythia.bandcamp.com/album/of-santa-single
https://soundcloud.com/scythia-metal/of-santa-scythia-2012-edition

In additional news, Scythia unleashed their latest music video 'Video Game Medley' in support of their new EP 'For The Bear' released early this fall.

New Music Video – 'Video Game Medley':

About: Following the success of their 2010 “…Of War” and 2011 “…Of Exile” albums, Scythia unleashed their 2012 scorcher, “For the Bear,” this fall. The short, but sweet seven-track EP departs from the orchestration and central concept of its predecessors, instead representing a leaner, faster, sharper folk metal machine.

“The songs are faster, more exciting, heavier and straight to the point,” says vocalist/guitarist Dave Khan. “There’s much less of the acoustic interludes and extensive progressive sections in favor of capturing the excitement of folk/power metal. The result is a more modern and conservative mix that showcases our ability to play rippin’ folk metal.

So what is Scythia?

Taking its name from Khan’s infatuation with a painting of Nordic/Russian warriors riding bears while brandishing swords, Scythia not only “gives the painting musical significance,” but it is also “the name of an ancient empire spanning from the Caucasus through Russia and into Eastern Scandinavia,” says Khan.

REVIEWS – For The Bear

“you can definitely enjoy this one and raise your tankard high!” -MetalKaoz.com

“this seven track folk/thrash release opens with an amped-up shanty titled Sailor’s Accolade, which gives oboist Morgan Zentner plenty of room to stretch as Dave Khan shows off his folky vocal skills.” – The Province (Vancouver)

“Scythia transcend tradition and pure genre here. It’s so recognisable as to be in the comfort zone but the band manage to mix it up, and in doing so generate excitement, motion and enjoyment. The key musical and artistic point for me here in this fiery, theatrical and at times thoughtful folk metal fest is the boundless creativity. I therefore propose a toast for the bear! 8.5 / 10″ – AveNoctum.com

“As usual, Scythia’s new pieces combine interesting folk tales with extremely cool and highly engaging folk metal…All the way through, from track one through seven, “For The Bear” is more up tempo than the band’s full-length albums. You are almost tempted to think that Scythia produced this 26-27 minute EP to make an work-out compilation for fantasy nerds, folk tale enthusiasts and gamers. “For The Bear” is the perfect energizer for a 5K run – and this Metal Music Examiner knows so from experience.” – Toronto Metal Music Examiner

“from start to finish this is an EP which offers up surprise after surprise, moments which you don’t expect and moments which will leave you sitting back and wondering how they’ve done it. Closing with a video game medley was a brave move, but one which seems to have worked well for them – not something I thought I’d ever say! Definitely a band to keep an eye on to see what comes next!” – Loud-Stuff.com

“This entire EP flows in a selection of great anthem-like melodies with lots of dance and drink-along potential. If you are a fantasy nerd and love video game music you will love their “Video Game Medley” – one of my favorites on this EP – which incorporates themes of old and new video games like Wizards and Warriors 1, Castlevania, Skyrim and Final Fantasy VI – perfectly brought together in a tight, fast succession.” – MetalTitans.com

“‘Sailor’s Accolade’ is one of the new songs on the E.P. and makes a great opener – an up tempo epic piece that will surely make you sing along and build some excitement for what’s to come.” – MetalTitans.com

““Videogame Medley” serves as a first for the band, dabbling in medieval aged metal applications of classic video games ranging from Castlevania to Zelda, Final Fantasy, and even Tetris. It’s one of the EP’s clear highlights and an easy track to throw on to win over your friends to the ways of Scythia.” – ThePunkSite.com

“there is not a dud song to be seen anywhere as the lavish feel-good drink fuelled atmosphere becomes highly contagious, while your mind conjures up images of beer swilling pirate Cossacks and dancing bears. With ‘For The Bear’ Scythia produce the release that Korpiklaani should have put out earlier this year. Highlight of the album: ‘Sailor’s Accolade’ Rating: 9/10″ – Firebrand Magazine

Album Credits:
• All songs performed and written by: Scythia(except for Mattawa Reel adapted Quebecois folk song by Robert Forest and Video Game Medley features excerpts from Wizards and Warriors 1, Castlevania, Skyrim, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Final Fantasy VI and Tetris)
• Produced by: Dave Khan and Scythia
• Engineered by: Dave Khan, Shaun Thingvold, Nick Engwar, Rob Stephenson
• Mixed by: Stu McKillop of Rain City Recorders
• Mastered by: Nick Moon of ToneProper
• Single released: Sailor’s Accolade
• CD Cover Artwork: by Mika Harju (kamikazuh.carbonmade.com)
• Album Layout: Celine Derval (niburudesigns.com)
• UPC Code #: 7 81877 00449 9
• Album Line Up Dave Khan – Lead Vocals, Guitars, Keys and Effects Terry Savage – Bass Morgan Zentner – Oboe Celine Derval – Drums and Backup Vocals

NOTE: The intention of this EP was to capture Scythia as they sound live. They have chosen to abandon fancy post-production sound effects and extensive guest musicians in favour of capturing the energy and excitement of these compositions. Fierce Riders of Scythia, Black Death and Dies Irae pt.1 were originally recorded back in 2009 and appeared on Scythia’s debut “…Of War” release. These tracks have been re-recorded and re-mixed to capture the mood and intensity of Scythia’s current line-up. The Mattawa Reel has been adapted from a Quebecois folk song written by Robert Forest. The Video Game Medley features excerpts from Wizards and Warriors 1, Castlevania, Skyrim, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Final Fantasy VI and Tetris.

Shared Stage w/
• Venom
• Grand Magus
• Agalloch
• Nun Slaughter
• Black Witchery
• Excrementory Grindfuckers
• Alestorm
• Eluveitie
• Vreid
• Derelict
• Belphegor
• Woods Of Ypres
• Empyria
• Kivimetsan Druidi
• The Order of Chaos
• Unleash the Archers
• Warrel Dane (Nevermore)

Tours & Festivals
• For The Bear Cross Canada Tour – 2012
• Noctis Metal Fest – Calgary, AB – 2012
• Western Canada Summer Siege – 2011
• Exiled Across Canada – 2010
• Femme Fatale Festival – 2010
• Heathenfest – 2009

Discography

…Of Exile – 2011 – Release Date: September 23, 2011
…Of War – 2010 – Release Date: October 5, 2010