Band:	Ruadh
Album:	The Rock Of The Clyde
Style:	Atmospheric black metal, Folk metal
Release date:	May 2020

01. Embers
02. The Rock Of The Clyde
03. Winters Light
04. Fields Of Heather
05. Only Distant Echoes Reign (Part 1)
06. Only Distant Echoes Reign (Part 2)

I enjoyed it at least.

There is something about folk and black metal that when combined correctly can make for a lethal sound, the atmosphere of folk mixing with the ethereal of black metal to create a two pronged attack; as you drift in a sea of atmosphere, the current and waves keep you alert and responsive throughout. It is on The Rock Of The Clyde that Ruadh refines this mix that he came close to perfecting on Sovereign.

I must confess I am not a aficionado of either genre; I dabble with folk and enjoy the odd band, and flirt regularly with black metal, but since I discovered Ruadh last year I found the combination of both to be greater than the sum of their parts. While not a total neophyte I can't claim this is the most unique sounding album given I am not massively versed with either genre. This however does allow me to recommend this album to those who are like myself, dabblers in both genres and waiting to find a pier off which to dive off of to fully immerse yourself in rather than stand at the edge and dip a toe in occasionally.

The central component of Scottish lore isn't something unique to Ruadh, given that Saor predates him, but it sounds fresh and vital here, painting pictures in your mind as you listen along to the odes to the landscape and rich history of the glens and fields that have built up over the centuries. It's as if Bob Ross was Scottish and a fan of black metal, so well led you are in picturing the landscapes conjured up by the music. It is the clear love of his homeland that has inspired Tom Perrett, the Scottish musician behind the one-man project Ruadh, to create such albums as he has so far.

The opening two tracks of "Ember" and "The Rock Of The Clyde" are probably my favourite moments of the album, pulling you in slowly before biting down hard, starting off on a good footing. Given that they total 20 minutes together, you have plenty of time to acquaint yourself well with the sound of the album; long folk passages and instrumentation that segue in and out of black metal adrenaline shots, which empower the folk sound rather than overshadow and engulf it.

The record excels when the balance is more black metal added to folk metal than vice versa, with "Winters Light" being the most generic sounding song on the record; it isn't bad by any means, but it switches up what was already a good sounding formula with nothing gained in return, although not a lot is lost at least. "Only Distant Echoes Remain" Parts 1 and 2 serve as a prelude and full track; while Pt. 1 is pure folk, it serves as a soft introduction and has a charm to it that avoids the pit that "Winters Light" fell into. Coupled with Pt. 2, which separates both elements to allow them to breathe before smashing them together in a crescendo, it shows how the formula can be tinkered with to elevate the record rather than serving as a bump.

In the grand scheme of things, I could be well off the general consensus, as my finger is so far off the pulse of both genres I would pronounce healthy bands DOA and those with a weak pulse to be vital and roaring with health. All I can say is that for my 2 cents, The Rock Of The Clyde is worth a go if you are a fan of this genre and want a more underground act to listen to.