Percival (band)

Percival
Percival at Wave-Gotik-Treffen 2017 in Leipzig
Percival at Wave-Gotik-Treffen 2017 in Leipzig
Background information
OriginLubin, Poland
GenresSlavic folk music, folk metal
Years active1999–present
MembersMikołaj Rybacki - long-necked lute (bağlama) and vocals
Katarzyna Bromirska - Byzantine lyra and vocals
Joanna Lacher - bodhrán, davul and vocals
Christina Bogdanova - bodhrán, davul and vocals
Websitewww.percival.pl/eng/

Percival or Percival Schuttenbach is a Polish folk metal band from Lubin, formed by musicians due to their fascination with history and historical reenactment in 1999.[1] The name "Percival" refers not to any historical figure, but to the gnome named Percival Schuttenbach from Andrzej Sapkowski's The Witcher series of novels. The leaders of the band are Mikołaj Rybacki and Katarzyna Bromirska. They became known for their song Lazare which was used as a song for the soundtrack of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt video game.[2]

Music

The band plays traditional songs of Europe, mostly Slavic, and its own compositions referring to Early Medieval times, such as the Vikings era and pagan Europe. Musicians play traditional instruments: long-necked lute (saz or Bağlama), byzantine lyra (rebec), drums, and flutes. Percival presents its music during historical events in Poland (e.g. the biggest Viking and Slavic festival in Poland on Wolin island), as well as abroad in Germany, France, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Slovakia, Belgium, Isle of Man and Scandinavia.

In 2010, the musicians began cooperation with music producer Donatan. Project "Equinox" (Polish: Równonoc) combines traditional Slavic sounds with hip-hop music. They ended their relations in 2013, over a financial dispute.[3]

One of Percival's songs, inspired by the game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, for which they also wrote music, was added to an e-book, Sezon Burz, by Andrzej Sapkowski.[4]

Albums

  • Eiforr - CD - 2007[5]
  • Oj Dido - CD - 2008
  • Słowiański Mit o Stworzeniu Świata (Slavonic Myth of Creation) - CD - 2009 [6]
  • Slava! Pieśni Słowian Południowych (Slava! Songs of the South Slavs) - CD - 2012
  • Slava! Pieśni Słowian Wschodnich (Slava! Songs of the East Slavs) - CD - 2014
  • Slava! Pieśni Słowian Zachodnich (Slava! Songs of the West Slavs) - CD - 2018
  • Slava! Pieśni Słowian Przyszłości (Slava! Songs of the Slavs of the Future) - CD - 2023

Awards

  • "Virtual Fiddle" plebiscite (Polish: Wirtualne Gęśle) – for the best folk record of the year 2007- "Eiforr” - the 6th place [7]
  • "Virtual Fiddle" plebiscite - for the best folk record of the year 2008 - "Oj Dido” - the 4th place [8]
  • "Virtual Fiddle" plebiscite - for the best folk record of the year 2009 - "Slowianski Mit o Stworzeniu Swiata” - the 5th place [9]
  • "Virtual Fiddle" plebiscite - for the best folk record of the year 2012 - "Slava!” - the 4th place [10]
  • "Virtual Fiddle" plebiscite - "Slava!” - the best cover project by Zuzanna Chanska [11]

References

  1. ^ "Percival Schuttenbach interview". folk-metal.nl. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
  2. ^ "Wiedźmin 3: Dziki Gon - Recenzja" (in Polish). IGN. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
  3. ^ "Donatan nie zapłacił grupie Percival?" (in Polish). kozaczek.pl. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
  4. ^ ""Sezon burz" Sapkowskiego już na e-booku!" (in Polish). Onet. Retrieved 2021-04-28.
  5. ^ Percival Official Website Percival Albums
  6. ^ Slowianski Mit o Stworzeniu Swiata Official Website SMOSS Album Archived 2013-08-10 at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Wirtualne Gęśle, Wirtualne Gęśle 2008
  8. ^ Wirtualne Gęśle, Wirtualne Gęśle 2009
  9. ^ Wirtualne Gęśle, Wirtualne Gęśle 2010
  10. ^ Wirtualne Gęśle, Wirtualne Gęśle 2013
  11. ^ Wirtualne Gęśle, Wirtualne Gęśle 2013
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