I've had this for a week now and I've given it about eight or nine spins so I think I can now say it's not up to the standards set by the previous Clad release. I still like Kevin Ridley's vocals, but I don't know if he's playing to his strengths anymore - a lot of it sounds like he's trying more to sound like Walkyier than Ridley. And as charismatic and good as Walkyier is, Ridley is equally good in his own style. No need to change too much.
The guitars and fiddle and compositions all around are solid Skyclad. I love that strange little laid-back solo on Hit List. You don't always need to shred, if the song doesn't require it.
The songs are quite good, and I keep changing my favourites quite often. Actually, the only ones I've constantly not liked are the Ridley penned tracks, 5, 8 and 10. The rest is very good. Just not A Semblance of Normality good. Overall it's quite heavy, and no more orchestration, which I think was the point -> a stripped down album - Skyclad in the altogether.
So the album is 'OK', but it definitely does feel damn good to have a new Skyclad album to listen to! It's been a long wait.
Favourites: Hit List, Modern Minds, Still Small Beer, A Well-Travelled Man