There are bands that don’t need a second chance to convince — and there are also those whose story was left half-told, with the public waiting decades to hear what would follow. SCALD belong to the second category, and their new EP “Relics” is exactly what the title promises: a digging into the past, with absolute respect.
Scald formed around 1993 in Yaroslavl, Russia, by singer Максим Андрианов (Agyl), with a vision inspired by the “vikingr” era of Bathory, Manowar and Candlemass. The result was the so-called “ancient doom metal”: the demo North Winds (1994) and especially the debut Will of the Gods is Great Power (1997) earned them a permanent place in the pantheon of epic doom. Unfortunately, Agyl passed away shortly after the release, and the band essentially ended with him.
The return
The 2019 revival understandably raised questions. But the second LP Ancient Doom Metal (2024) proved that the spirit remained intact. Now, with Hrafn (Vendel) on vocals, Scald return to the past in a way no one expected: they take unreleased tracks from their authentic era — which until today existed only in rehearsals and live videos — and finally record them as they deserve.
The tracks
The opening “Master of Tundra” is one of those “could have been” tracks that became legend, along with the even sterner “Ravens” — both played at Agyl’s last appearance. Here they acquire their definitive form, with Hrafn’s vocals fitting surprisingly well. The EP also includes their own version of “Flame”, which shows a turn toward power-thrash and early progressive metal already from the mid-90s.
For the closing, the band re-recorded “Falcon” — their deepest track, originally on the Pocc rehearsal tape in 1991 — in two versions (English and Russian), as a tribute to their original singer. An excellent move that also brings out the folk side of the outfit.
Scald – Relics (2026): the basics
- Band: Scald — epic heavy/doom metal, Yaroslavl, Russia
- Genre: Epic Doom / Heavy Metal
- Content: unreleased tracks from the authentic era + tribute to Agyl
- Bandcamp
Overall, “Relics” is the best possible scenario for a legendary underground band: endurance without clumsy revisionism, without naked opportunism. For friends of heavy metal, power-doom and epic heavy, it is an essential addition — a shining example of what it means to keep the faith. High recommendation.
