|
CELTACHOR – IN THE HALLS OF OUR ANCIENT FATHERS (7)
In the proud tradition of many an unsigned metal act, Celtachor's nerve-shreddingly rough mix and frantic delivery paint a collectively savage picture that guarantees instant kudos in the black metal stakes. Coming off like an early relic from Darkthrone's influential back catalogue, these Irish players demonstrate passion and potential in spades, with a smattering of horns and whistles thrown in for good measure.
Though widely identified as blackened folk, Celtachor's raw, primal style often requires no such melodic embellishment. While the opening bars of the demo's keyboard-laden intro set a suitably necro tone, the instrumental elements that follow are sometimes awkwardly placed and a tad too perky on occasion. 'Rise Of Lugh' is a low-fi delight of blistering snarls and distorted grooves laid down in fine, fast and loose style. But this promising bout of aggression grinds to a near halt as a whistle solo surfaces for a short interlude that feels awkwardly stranded in a veritable sea of deafening aggression. However, 'In The Hall Of Nuada' offers up an altogether smoother intermingling of folk and metal, with airy whistle notes melting gracefully into wave upon wave of bass-driven distortion.
While there's doubtless room for development here, these young talents have nevertheless captured all the venom, gloom and menacing presence for which black metal is notorious.
Reviewed by Faye Coulman
'In The Halls Of The Ancient Fathers' is out now on Celtachor Press.
You’ll like this if… you're yearning for the blackened, low-fi licks of yesteryear.
|
|
|
CD Reviews 