Cruachan have had a testing time prior to the release of Blood on the Black Robe. Vocalist Karen Gilligan left the band leaving Keith Fay to take over the microphone. Having hawked the album around various record labels it now sees the light of day on the ever dependable Candlelight Records label.
Blood on the Black Robe is solid at the very least although by no means the best of the band's career. Muscular is the word I'd use to describe the album, "Pagan Hate" being a good example as well as the instrumental "Brian Boru's March" which is excellent.
The aforementioned Karen Gilligan pops up on three tracks and arguably the best track is "The Voyage of Bran" which juxtaposes guttural male vocals with lighter female sounds. Special mention should also go to the huge sounding "The Column" which must have really annoyed my neighbours when i played it thanks to the booming bass sound.
All-in-all Cruachan have overcome a potentially tricky period of their career and live to fight another day.
Track Listing:
- To War
- I am Warrior
- The Column
- Thy Kingdom Come
- An Bean Sidha
- Blood on the Black Robe
- Primeval Odium
- The Voyage of Bran
- Brian Boru's March
- Pagan Hate
- The Nine Year war
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