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Cruachan

Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Suggest New Bands and Artists
Forum Description: Suggest, create polls, and classify new bands you would like included on Prog Archives
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=66253
Printed Date: March 19 2024 at 03:28
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Topic: Cruachan
Posted By: SouthSideoftheSky
Subject: Cruachan
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 08:47

Hi all, by an accident I recently came across this interesting Irish band that have been around since the early 90's (and with roots into the 80's). I first listened to their album Folk-Lore a few days ago and I really like it! But the other albums I've heard so far are actually quite awful! On Folk-Lore they mix Irish/Celtic Folk music with melodic heavy Rock to great effect. The other albums I have heard mix Irish/Celtic Folk music with Black Metal and is not my cup of tea at all!

Here is a Spotify-link to the band http://open.spotify.com/artist/6QpbkfyEQJ3JiQw2AbTRUH - Cruachan

What do you think about their Prog credentials?



Replies:
Posted By: Windhawk
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 08:49
I wouldn't mind seeing them in here, based on the album by them I reviewed for Prog Ears a few years back.

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Posted By: SouthSideoftheSky
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 09:20
From the bands website:

"Cruachan combine modern rock /metal with traditional Irish music, but there is a lot more to them than just that: elaborate classical pieces, ancient medieval tunes etc.  They also use real instruments rather than relying solely on a keyboard or sampler. The use of these instruments also adds an element of curiosity in live shows due to each member's ability to play a variety of instruments. Some of the traditional instruments they use are: Tin whistle, Irish Flute, Bódhran (an ancient hand-held goatskin drum), Uilleann pipes (or elbow pipes, like the traditional bag pipes, but instead of blowing, a bellows is used to pump air into the bag), Harp, Bouzouki (originally a Greek guitar, it has been adopted into Irish and Scottish music) Cruachan's original metal style could have been classed as Black metal, but the band have now opted for a more conventional heavy metal sound, although the black influences are still evident and the whole ethos is still there. Cruachan consider themselves as modern day bards or storytellers. They tell the old Celtic myths and legends of their proud past, or the tales of hardship and rebellion that Ireland endured, through the medium of music.. To put it all simply…..Cruachan are storytellers…no more, no less."


Posted By: Easy Livin
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 10:16
Nice name for a band. Any idea of the source? There's a place called Cruachan in Scotland.


Posted By: SouthSideoftheSky
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 10:30

Hi Bob, I found the following (wikipedia):

Cruachan [kroo-a-han or also kroo-an] is a heavy metal band from Dublin, Ireland  that has been active since the 1990s. They have been acclaimed as having "gone the greatest lengths of anyone in their attempts to expand" the genre of folk metal.  They are recognised as one of the founders of the genre of folk metal. With a specific focus on Celtic music and the use of Celtic mythology in their lyrics, Cruachan's style of folk metal is known as Celtic metal. The band named themselves after the archaeological site of Rathcroghan  in Ireland also known as Cruachan.

The archaeological site in question is believed to be the place for http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cruachan,_Ireland - "Cruachan, the ancient capital of the kingdom of Connacht in Ireland"


Posted By: lucas
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 10:41
this must be a joke

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"Magma was the very first gothic rock band" (Didier Lockwood)


Posted By: SouthSideoftheSky
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 10:48

Here is an interesting interview with the band's leader:

http://www.rock-impressions.com/cruachan_inter1e.htm


Posted By: Citizen Erased
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 11:11
Originally posted by Easy Livin Easy Livin wrote:

Nice name for a band. Any idea of the source? There's a place called Cruachan in Scotland.


Near where I live. Smile

The band are just hilarious though and not at all prog.


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And lo, the mighty riffage was played and it was good


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Posted By: toroddfuglesteg
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 11:49

Yes, I have been past Cruachan on my bike rides (push bike !) from Oban to Glasgow.  

Cruachan is a mountain where the Gods had indecent fun back in the good old days. Now, it is a Hydro electric scheme with a huge dam and all that. The place is very gothic though. Hence it's popularity in Hollywood. 



Posted By: Easy Livin
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 13:08
Cheers SSotS, thanks for that! Digressing shamefully, the Hydro scheme Torodd mentions is interesting in that it actually uses more power than it generates. The water is pumped back up into the loch using surplus overnight power, so it can generate again during peak demand. It acts as a sort of battery for the grid.
 
Sorry for the diversion!


Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 13:10
Ahhemmm... Stern Smile




Wink


Posted By: Easy Livin
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 13:13
Embarrassed


Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 13:18
Tongue

Here's the MySpace, so that we may start investigating this suggestion: http://www.myspace.com/cruachanfanpage - http://www.myspace.com/cruachanfanpage


Posted By: SouthSideoftheSky
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 14:47
Originally posted by harmonium.ro harmonium.ro wrote:

Tongue

Here's the MySpace, so that we may start investigating this suggestion: http://www.myspace.com/cruachanfanpage - http://www.myspace.com/cruachanfanpage


Ride On is a very good song featured on myspace, start with that one! Smile

For those who have Spotify, there are several full albums available there (see link above).



Posted By: SouthSideoftheSky
Date Posted: April 01 2010 at 14:50
Originally posted by Easy Livin Easy Livin wrote:

Cheers SSotS, thanks for that! Digressing shamefully, the Hydro scheme Torodd mentions is interesting in that it actually uses more power than it generates. The water is pumped back up into the loch using surplus overnight power, so it can generate again during peak demand. It acts as a sort of battery for the grid.
 
Sorry for the diversion!


I have to visit Scotland someday! LOL


Posted By: harmonium.ro
Date Posted: April 02 2010 at 05:43
Having listened to the samples on MySpace, I think the only team that would take this band would the the Prog Metal Team. I'm heading this suggestion in their direction. 


Posted By: UMUR
Date Posted: April 02 2010 at 11:01
Cruachan are now added to the PMT chart on ProgFreak for evaluation.


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Posted By: cacha71
Date Posted: April 02 2010 at 15:12
Originally posted by SouthSideoftheSky SouthSideoftheSky wrote:


Hi all, by an accident I recently came across this interesting Irish band that have been around since the early 90's (and with roots into the 80's). I first listened to their album Folk-Lore a few days ago and I really like it! But the other albums I've heard so far are actually quite awful! On Folk-Lore they mix Irish/Celtic Folk music with melodic heavy Rock to great effect. The other albums I have heard mix Irish/Celtic Folk music with Black Metal and is not my cup of tea at all!

Here is a Spotify-link to the band http://open.spotify.com/artist/6QpbkfyEQJ3JiQw2AbTRUH - Cruachan

What do you think about their Prog credentials?

I agree with this initial assessment.  They have produced two good albums with more complex and varied structures which in my opinion do have some prog credentials, The Middle Kingdom and Folk-Lore, but the rest or the material?  definitely not!  I kind of hesitated between "not prog at all"  and prog related, and finally went for prog related in recognition of those two albums.


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http://www.last.fm/group/Progressive+Folk


Posted By: SouthSideoftheSky
Date Posted: April 03 2010 at 09:29
Originally posted by UMUR UMUR wrote:

Cruachan are now added to the PMT chart on ProgFreak for evaluation.
 
Great! Smile


Posted By: SouthSideoftheSky
Date Posted: April 03 2010 at 09:32
Originally posted by cacha71 cacha71 wrote:

Originally posted by SouthSideoftheSky SouthSideoftheSky wrote:


Hi all, by an accident I recently came across this interesting Irish band that have been around since the early 90's (and with roots into the 80's). I first listened to their album Folk-Lore a few days ago and I really like it! But the other albums I've heard so far are actually quite awful! On Folk-Lore they mix Irish/Celtic Folk music with melodic heavy Rock to great effect. The other albums I have heard mix Irish/Celtic Folk music with Black Metal and is not my cup of tea at all!

Here is a Spotify-link to the band http://open.spotify.com/artist/6QpbkfyEQJ3JiQw2AbTRUH - Cruachan

What do you think about their Prog credentials?

I agree with this initial assessment.  They have produced two good albums with more complex and varied structures which in my opinion do have some prog credentials, The Middle Kingdom and Folk-Lore, but the rest or the material?  definitely not!  I kind of hesitated between "not prog at all"  and prog related, and finally went for prog related in recognition of those two albums.
 
I have not heard The Middle Kingdom yet, but I have now listened to Pagan and I think that is a good album too. Though far behind Folk-Lore. If the band is added I will probably rate Folk-Lore with four stars and possibly Pagan with three despite the somewhat weak production of the latter.
 


Posted By: Citizen Erased
Date Posted: April 05 2010 at 07:37
Originally posted by toroddfuglesteg toroddfuglesteg wrote:

Yes, I have been past Cruachan on my bike rides (push bike !) from Oban to Glasgow.  

Cruachan is a mountain where the Gods had indecent fun back in the good old days. Now, it is a Hydro electric scheme with a huge dam and all that. The place is very gothic though. Hence it's popularity in Hollywood. 



Obanite over here. Smile

I only drive past it though because I'm lazy and unfit. Tongue


-------------
And lo, the mighty riffage was played and it was good


<a href="www.last.fm/user/jonzo67" targe


Posted By: SouthSideoftheSky
Date Posted: May 01 2010 at 10:42

I don't mean to nag, but how is it going with the evaluation for Prog Metal? Wink

In the meantime, I have listened more to their Pagan album. It has grown on me, I would probably rate it with four stars, the same with Folk Lore.



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