Mael Mordha
Manannán ()
Wydane przez Grau RecordsRok wydania Kraj IrelandNapisał Wouter8
Formed in 1998 with the intent to merge doom metal with traditional Irish music and instruments. Together with Primordial to only Irish band of meaning within this particular genre. In sheer doom metal terms the tempo is quite high and in fact dubbing them Celtic metal would be far more appropriate. The dramatic vocals of Roibéard Ó Bogail are acquired taste and they are similar to those of Australian prog/folk metal act Ironwood. The atmosphere is rich with "Manannán" and one can instantly imagine the rugged Irish landscape when listening to this record. Ó Bogail's range isn't quite as wide as the wailing chants of Robert Lowe (Solitude Aeturnus) or Messiah Marcolin (ex-Candlemass), his proud Irish intonation is akin to Primordial's Alan "Naihmass Nemtheanga" Averill and thus very commanding. The Irish instrumentation is fitting and not the point of focus unlike many other popular folk/pagan metal acts of today. Compared to this band's prior two record the piano has been moved to entirely to the back. A track like 'Our Ancestors Dwell Here' is even slightly black metallish in its dark melodies. The band's doom nature with pulverizing riff work and weighty arrangements still is heard through out 'The Gaelic Twilight' and 'The Summoning'. Those coming to "Manannán" expecting a pure doom record will be surprised, nevertheless Mael Mordha have delivered an exemplary dark and brooding Celtic metal record that should have their more folk – and polka oriented brethren taking notice. This is the future of folk metal.
www.grau.cd/label
