Skiltron

Skiltron
Skiltron at Wacken Open Air 2018
Background information
Genres
Years active2004–present
LabelTrollzorn Records
MembersMartin McManus
Emilio Souto
Ignacio López
Pereg Ar Bagol
Joonas Nislin
Paolo Ribaldini
Past membersMatias Pena
Fernando Marty
Pablo Allen
Juan José Fornés
Diego Spinelli
Esteban D'antona
Diego Valdez
Websiteskiltron.net

Skiltron is an Argentine Celtic/folk metal[1] band formed in Buenos Aires in 2004 by Emilio Souto. Since 2018, the band has moved to Europe (Finland, Spain and France).

History

Starting with a three-song demo in 2004 called Gathering the Clans, the band released their full length debut album The Clans Have United in 2006 through the Italian label Underground Symphony. This was followed by their second album Beheading the Liars in 2008, and their third album, The Highland Way, in 2010, with each album continually building on the band's unique style and sound. Their most recent album is Legacy of Blood, released in 2016, released by Trollzorn Records.

Most of their early live concerts took place in Argentina, sharing the stage with bands such as Grave Digger, In Extremo and Korpiklaani, with whom the band shared a South American tour in 2010. They made their debut playing in Europe in the UK in 2012, where they were joined by Sabbat and Skyclad singer Martin Walkyier as a guest.

After the release of fourth album Into the Battleground in 2013, the band started to tour Europe regularly, playing festivals such as Wacken, Bloodstock and more. They were able to share the stage with bands such as Judas Priest, Slayer, In Flames, King Diamond, Avantasia, and more. The release of their latest album in 2016 was followed by a European tour, where they played 50 shows in two months in twenty countries. They toured the UK alongside pirate metal band Iron Seawolf. In early 2017, they played for the first time in Japan, sharing three shows with German bands Equilibrium and Suidakra.

Artistry

Skiltron are considered one of the few Southern American metal bands to fuse heavy metal and Celtic music, a style usually more common in many parts of Europe. They are also well known for incorporating bagpipes into their music. The lyrics are sung in English.

The name "Skiltron" derives from a variation of the word schiltron, a formation used by the Scottish during the Wars of Independence.

Members

Current members

  • Emilio Souto − guitar, mandolin, bouzouki (2004–present)
  • Ignacio López – bass (2011–present)
  • Pereg Ar Bagol – bagpipes (2014–present)
  • Joona Nislin – drums (2018–present)
  • Martin McManus – vocals (2015–2021, 2024–present)

Former members

  • Paolo Ribaldini – vocals (2021–2024)
  • Matias Pena − drums (2004–2018)
  • Juan José Fornés − guitar (2006–2011)
  • Fernando Marty − bass (2004–2011)
  • Diego Valdez − vocals (2006–2011)
  • Pablo Allen − bagpipes (2006–2011), tin whistle (2008–2011)
  • Diego Spinelli – tin whistle, irish flute, piccolo (2006–2008)
  • Esteban D'antona – viola (2006–2007)

Discography

[2]

Demos

Year Title
2004 Gathering the Clans
2007 The Blind Harry

Studio albums

Year Title
2006 The Clans Have United
2008 Beheading the Liars
2010 The Highland Way (CD+DVD)
2013 Into the Battleground
2016 Legacy of Blood
2023 Bruadarach

References

  1. ^ Ragavan, Shrivatsan (30 July 2013). "Skiltron – Into The Battleground – Review". Axis of Metal. Archived from the original on 17 December 2014.
  2. ^ "Skiltron - Music". Bandcamp. Retrieved 27 September 2025.