Well, it is about that time again.... the wait has been long, I know, but it will be worth it. This I promise you. What many don't know about these posts in which I try my best to deliver as promptly in between as possible, is that for each one, not only do I make sure to post bands in alphabetical order, but I also do research, day and night, whenever I can to find just the right one. I try to make sure that the band I choose falls within the wheelhouse of that which the post series has to do with. I always make sure that the band in question involves all that which folk metal stands for.... folklore as well as folk music influence, heavy metal worthy of these posts, intensity, melody, all that you would expect from such a diverse genre of metal.
Which brings me to this next band. Now, this one took me by surprise. I've heard many folk metal bands from places such as Finland, Russia, Norway, Iceland, Scotland, hell, even Taiwan! But this one is, I must admit, a first for me. From the beautiful green country of Ireland, this band has made quite the stir in its career among the folk metal world. And deservedly so, as you will shortly learn. Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to....
CRUACHAN
(Image Source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiLw66qzIvQAhXLZiYKHeCQAEMQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wikiwand.com%2Fen%2FCruachan_(band)&bvm=bv.137132246,d.ZGg&psig=AFQjCNE-xyI7AiJdh9ntIMR9x4F5qu-rQQ&ust=1478228364231578)
Directly from Dublin, Ireland, Cruachan formed in 1992, followed immediately by a demo release in 1993 by Keith Fay, the lead vocalist. Alongside vocals, his instrumental duties of the band also include guitars, keyboards, bodhran, mandolin, percussion and bouzouki, all done since the band's conception. Talk about a jack of all trades! Anyway.... before forming Cruachan, Fay had put together a Tolkein-influenced black metal band called Minas Tirith, named after the main stronghold castle of Gondor, and the capital of Gondor after the fall of Osgiliath. But soon after, Fay began listening to more folk music, and after picking up and listening to the band Skyclad's debut album, "The Wayward Sons of Mother Earth", he was inspired to mix black metal with folk-inspired composition. Thus began the journey of Cruachan.
The band disbanded in 1997 after releasing just one album in 1995, due to an array of unfortunate events, including having to turn down a contract from Century Media Records, because the contract apparently would have given Century Media the right to change any aspect of the band's sound as they saw fit. The break-up would only last two years however, for the band reunited in 1999, and a second album would be released a year later in 2000, under Hammerheart Records. By this time, though, the band had pretty much completely dropped the black metal sound, in exchange for a more "traditional" metal sound. Which, in my opinion, was a fair move on their part, because as much as I enjoy black metal myself, their traditional sound seems to suit them better, especially for infusing the folk music into it.
Their sound is very unique and sways true to their Celtic roots, especially in the lyrics. The music is the perfect muse to their lyricism too, for the melodic beauty of their folk side blends exquisitely with the metal intensity. By 2010, another demo was released after putting out a total of five studio albums. The demo showed a taste of the band returning a bit to their black metal sound, but still sustaining the integrity of the folk aspect of their sound. This demo, however, was not released to the public, but rather to various labels, and they were soon signed to Candlelight U.K. in June of 2010. The band has been quite busy since then, having gone through some line-up changes, label changes, and a vast array of booking and playing festivals, as well as a new record release in 2014. Furthermore, at the end of September of this year (2016), the announcement for a new album was released, including a title, and a brief description. It has been confirmed to be a concept album, covering the nine-year war between Ireland and England from 1594-1603 (known as "The Nine Years War", which England eventually won). The title will be "Nine Years of Blood".
And now, for your listening pleasure, please enjoy these four tracks I have carefully selected for you. Enjoy.
Ride On, from the album "Folk-Lore" (2002)
The Very Wild Rover (a fast-paced rendition of the famous traditional Irish folk/drinking song "The Wild Rover"), from the album "The Morrigan's Call" (2006)
I Am Warrior, from the album "Blood on the Black Robe" [This album marks the first of three albums to be in the album trilogy known as "Trilogy of Blood"] (2011)
Blood for the Blood God, from the album "Blood for the Blood God" [As you have probably guessed, this album is the second of three albums in the "Trilogy of Blood". The third is yet to be released, and is the album I briefly touched on above.] (2014)
- damiancraymond