All Reviews
Cruachan - The Morrigan's Call
Release: 2006Label: AFM Records
By: AvNatten
Posted: Feb 15, 2007
The folk metal fans are surely in a frenzy over "The Morrigan's Call". It is the fifth full length release from Dublin Ireland's famed Cruachan. The name Cruachan itself is steeped in history for it was the name of the capital of an ancient Irish kingdom called Connacht.
Cruachan go to great lengths to employ as much of a traditional Celtic folk sound in their metal as they can. Many traditional instruments are used in the making of Cruachan songs including; Irish flutes, uillean pipes, and bodhran as well as the more well known folk instruments such as acoustic guitars, violins, and mandolins. These instruments when combined create an atmosphere that transports you back to another place and time.
As the disc takes off you are greeted by the growling of the male vocalist letting you know that although this band may play happy sounding melodies they would still like to have a harsh edge at times. 'The Coffin Ships' is a haunting instrumental that employees the use of water sounds to set you in the right atmosphere. Also included is a cover of the old standard 'The Wild Rover' which Cruachan have dubbed 'The Very Wild Rover' due to their adding electric guitars and metal elements to the track.
On the production side of things the vocals seem to be mixed too low into the music on most tracks. This may not be a big deal for most people but upon repeated listenings one may become annoyed by the swaggering volume levels. Track by track the songs sound better and stronger on their own and become lost and seem to drag a bit when listening to the whole album in one sitting.
This is a disc that Celtic lovers can thoroughly sink their teeth into and will appeal for the most part to that audience in particular. For an album like 'The Morrigan's Call' to be able to move you one has to have a desire for traditional instruments. If you are looking for all out balls-to-the-wall metal it’s a safe bet to say you should stay away from this one.
Cruachan go to great lengths to employ as much of a traditional Celtic folk sound in their metal as they can. Many traditional instruments are used in the making of Cruachan songs including; Irish flutes, uillean pipes, and bodhran as well as the more well known folk instruments such as acoustic guitars, violins, and mandolins. These instruments when combined create an atmosphere that transports you back to another place and time.
As the disc takes off you are greeted by the growling of the male vocalist letting you know that although this band may play happy sounding melodies they would still like to have a harsh edge at times. 'The Coffin Ships' is a haunting instrumental that employees the use of water sounds to set you in the right atmosphere. Also included is a cover of the old standard 'The Wild Rover' which Cruachan have dubbed 'The Very Wild Rover' due to their adding electric guitars and metal elements to the track.
On the production side of things the vocals seem to be mixed too low into the music on most tracks. This may not be a big deal for most people but upon repeated listenings one may become annoyed by the swaggering volume levels. Track by track the songs sound better and stronger on their own and become lost and seem to drag a bit when listening to the whole album in one sitting.
This is a disc that Celtic lovers can thoroughly sink their teeth into and will appeal for the most part to that audience in particular. For an album like 'The Morrigan's Call' to be able to move you one has to have a desire for traditional instruments. If you are looking for all out balls-to-the-wall metal it’s a safe bet to say you should stay away from this one.
Rating: 7,5/10
Cruachan website
Distributed in Denmark and kindly supplied by Target
Distributed in Denmark and kindly supplied by Target
Buy the album at
Buy merchandise at
Back
All content Copyright 1999-2006 Nocturnalhorde.com. Powered By...
