Cruachan - Tuatha Na Gael - guest review
Cruachan - Tuatha Na Gael - guest review
Tracklist
01. I Am Tuan02. The First Battle Of Moytura
03. Maeves' March
04. Fall Of Gondolin
05. Cúchulainn
06. Taín Bó Cuailgne
07. To Invoke The Horned God
08. Brian Boru
09. To Moytura We Return
10. Return [2001 re-release bonus]
11. Erinsong [2001 re-release bonus]
12. Ó Ró Sé Do Bheata Bhaile [2001 re-release bonus]
Guest review by
Ernis February 25, 2007
"I Am Tuan", the song which starts the album is a clear and peaceful introduction. Uillean pipes create indeed a very Irish atmosphere that seems to invite the listener to imagine the nature and character of Ireland itself. The second song, however, will already take the listener to a vigorous ride to the first battle of Moytura as it is written in the title of the song. "Tuatha Na Gael" has more black metal influences than the later released albums of the band. The overall impression is more rugged and harsh. One can notice this when listening for example to the songs "To Invoke the Horned God" and "The Fall of Gondolin" and their remakes that appear on the albums "Folk-Lore" and "Pagan". Many believe that it is the absence of Karen Gilligan's smooth vocals that causes the difference.
It can still be said that the band has stayed true to the black metal style combined with Celtic sounds. However, they do have paid more attention to stressing the light folk element on their later albums. Cruachan's ability is to create a fine sound that loads the listeners with energy. One of the highlights of "Tuatha Na Gael" is "Cuchulainn", it is probably the best song ever created to be played in a pub.
With this album, Cruachan introduces their selection of lyrical themes. From fantasy and Tolkien's works to the history and mythology of Ireland. An aspect they will develop further on their later albums.
The 2001 bootlegged re-release of the album includes also three tracks which appeared on the band's self-financed demo of 1997. Songs "Return", "Erinsong" and "Ó Ró Sé Do Bheatha Bhaile" feature the tender female vocals by Aisling Hanrahan.
To sum up, it can be said that "Tuatha Na Gael" is a jewel among the fine albums the band has created. It is a perfect representative of their personal style and has also a face of its own. This merry album is enjoyable for every fan of Cruachan and a fine experience for any person who likes folk metal all in all.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 8 |
| Songwriting: | 8 |
| Originality: | 9 |
| Production: | 6 |
Written by Ernis | February 25, 2007
Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
Comments
Comments:
6
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38 users
 Posts: 13287 |
Posts: 13287
after proofreading this - your review made me want to look into the band.. and I quite like what I am hearing.. I will look into them more some time in the future
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 Posts: 3585 |
Posts: 3585
Good review, you rated everything like I would do, except maybe production. This is definetely not my fav Cruachan album but it is ok, maybe little high rate but review is awesome.
---- They say that we are gone but I can't let you down The heathen faith will rise again we won't fail now I know we cannot die forever is our time Give my people back to me free from Christianity!!!!
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 Posts: 4788 |
Posts: 4788
Best Cruachan album. It has a special thing the other albums lack!
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Posts: 2955 Quote: Heh, I thought the same thing. Its the highlight of the album imo, along with ''To invoke the horned god''. Erinsong is also beautiful.
----  ---- member of the true crusade against old school heavy metal, early 80s thrash, NWOBHM, traditional doom, first and second wave black metal, old school death metal, US power metal, 70s prog rock and atmospheric doomsludgestoner. o/
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 Posts: 64335 |
Posts: 64335
Just read this, dude you must write more, sad you left this site. Like I told loving celtic things makes this special 
---- I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens. Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"  I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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Posts: 6817 Written by Bad English on 20.03.2016 at 14:34 Didn't leave bub... It's just that I've been lazy... plus I've got work and studies and all that jazz going on...
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