Mael Mordha – Manannán

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The return of the province Leinster King is a fact! MAEL MORDHA are back with the third full-length release and seems that the Gaelic Doom Metal has not stop flowing inside their veins. After “Cluain Tarbh” and “Gealtacht Mael Mordha”, it’s turn for the Irish God of the Sea, ‘Manannán’ to take the scepter and reign beyond the bloodstained land of Ireland, once and for good and replace the order. MAEL MORDHA continue in this album to give away pure and solid folk Metal tunes, embellishing with the genuine Gaelic Doom that gained many metalheads ten years ago. In “Manannán” we meet the most warlike MAEL MORDHA mood, bloody and heavy as hell that you can discover from the first listening.

The lyricism and the melancholic aggression a warrior’s battle comrade are the main ingredients of this album, being noticeable more than every previous MAEL MORDHA work. In the 45 minutes of “Manannán”, you’ll find 8 epic tracks, prone to pagan Black Metal (blame the guitars shreds), full of soul pain and large-heartedness that once could meet in a cold-grounded battlefield. Ó Bogail’s solemn reading is in great shape as always, being the twin brother with the guitar parts that are boisterous and merciless. The melodic parts are less in comparison with the previous MAEL MORDHA albums and the PRIMORDIAL-esque influences are quite remarkable, giving the ideal warlike atmosphere in the album’s entity. The muted mourn of “The Summoning” and the bloody charge of “The Doom Of The Races Of Éire” are some of the best moments of “Manannán”, with the tin whistle giving the finishing touch, colorizing the sonic battleground.

The wind seems to blow upon the war-painted faces and mess the hair of the north warriors, as pain’s ugliness obliterates all the other emotion from their souls. The only comfort is the familiar whistling in “Our Ancestors Dwell Here” and the clarion tune in Ó Bogail’s voice that break my heart during the self-titled track. Hence, the following “A Nation In Ruins” was judged necessary for the upcoming album’s burst; closer to MAEL MORDHA’s classics, this one carries the Irish heart further from the melody turning it into a flag for the followers. “Back To Éire” closes the concept story of “Manannán” and gives the baton to MORDHA fablers to add new chapters with a powerful ally the lucid production which once again set all instruments as it should do.

If this quintet crosses your country, don’t miss the live experience with MAEL MORDHA. I can not forget their amazing performance here in Greece, 2 years ago, where they managed to rouse all the PRIMORDIAL fans following them. MAEL MORDHA are unique in what they are doing, even if many journalists insist to compare them with other folk bands like SKYCLAD, BATHORY or SOLSTICE. Hail to Manannán!

*Rob, I’ll always consider you as my brother! Thanks a lot for the communication and the inspiration of MAEL MORDHA’s music.

Slan agus Beannacht