Cluain Tarb - Mael Mordha

One of the comparatively few Irish metal bands in my ludicrously vast collection, Dublin's Mael Mórdha instantly contrive a sense of the exotic by refusing to venture outside of Gaelic language and themes in their nostalgic, nationalistic take on gothic doom metal. The music isn't depressing along the lines of Anathema or My Dying Bride, but also isn't too flamboyant and fantastical like Candlemass, lying somewhere in-between and also acting as a satisfying smorgasbord of current metal trends. The heavy framework will keep this powerful enough for death metal fans without scaring away newcomers with anything too harsh, and the strong Celtic folk angle is ...  Read the complete review