Rating: 9.5/10
Release: 20 April 2018
Label: Trollzorn Records

The Emerald Isle will be owning folk metal this spring surely (and possibly 2018 at this point) with epic releases by Cruachan and Primordial. You will all be sorry if you forget the release from the mighty Celtachor in that discussion as they are on the same level as them with their 3rd full length album. Entitled “Fiannaoicht”, the album features 10 tracks for their label Trollzorn and totals about 57 minutes in length. I cannot count how many times I have listened to the last album (2015’s “Nuada Of The Silver Arm”) and have been living vicariously thru their other endeavors, most notably vocalist Stephen’s Laochra epic folk project and guitarist Fionn’s black metal project Gaoth. Well now they have unleashed their crowning achievement with “Fiannaoicht” where all the various pieces have come together in an incredible epic of an album. Firstly, it is a concept album once again, delving into Irish mythology once more (for more info check out the interview our intrepid Jano did with them) which is equally as interesting and diverse as Norse mythology. I am not a huge fan of the “Concept” album tag….thematic might be better but splitting hairs am I. What has made Celtachor more immense this time around is the solidification of the lineup which now includes a full-time violinist in Liam Henry. Yes, they are a tad folkier with his addition which blends nicely in with Stephen’s whistle. I think it would be easy to say they fit somewhere in between Primordial and Cruachan sound wise but I would say Borknagar is a nice comparison to them as well with a Celtic vibe of course. Style wise they have the same bombastic nihilistic approach albeit maybe less doomy as previous releases but have added some new wrinkles, most notably more of Stephen’s clean vocal style which adds a new texture and brings the stories of the songs even more to life. From the beginning of “Sons Of Morna” the transporting of your soul into the ancient past of Ireland is immediate and hypnotizing. After a few listens the tracks reveal themselves even more with numerous items to notice…….where it is obvious to hear the brilliant main riffing by Fionn and David in every track as always, the battery of Robert on bass on Anais on drums is in sync from the get go, adding the right amount of structure and abandon. The subtle layered vocals (and not so subtle parts) and especially some of the solo parts whether guitar, violin or whistle (and I’m sure there are other folk instruments in here as well) are all enchanting….examples include the beginnings of “Tuiren” and “The Battle On The Shore”, the beautiful acoustic stripped down “The Search For Sadbh” “Tears Of Aoife” and “Great Ships Came Over The Waves”. Don’t worry there is plenty of heavy on here, but I think the changes, while on paper may not seem to be for the heavier, they absolutely are. Write great songs, play them superbly and the heaviness will come. I have listened to this numerous times already and hear something new every time….the hallmarks of an amazing album. The productions and mix are spot on without a lot of extra frills to get in the way and with every aspect finding space to breathe. With a beautiful cover designed by Anais, the tracks on “Fiannaoicht” forge a new path in the history of Irish folk metal and should be on many a top list this year and if not then you are missing out on one of the best for 2018.

Tracklist

1. Sons Of Morna
2. King Of Tara
3. Tuiren 09:19
4. The Search For Sadbh
5. Caoilte
6. Great Ships Came From Over The Waves
7. The Battle On The Shore
8. Tears Of Aoife
9. Cauldron Of Plenty
10. Dubh, Dun Agus Liath