Cruachan

Cruachan is a Dublin, Ireland-based Celtic and black metal group active since 1992. The band is recognised as one of the founders of folk metal, and its music centres on Celtic themes, Celtic mythology and the use of Irish folk elements. Their style is often described as Celtic metal.

Origins and early development

Keith Fay forms the group in 1992 after earlier forming a Tolkien-inspired black metal band called Minas Tirith in 1991. Around the same period, he begins listening more closely to folk music and is influenced by Skyclad’s debut album The Wayward Sons of Mother Earth, which he sees as a model for combining black metal with Irish folk music. He also names Horslips as a major influence, describing their work in the 1970s as comparable to what Cruachan does.

The band takes its name from Rathcroghan in Ireland, also known as Cruachan. A demo is distributed in 1993, and the band releases its debut album Tuatha Na Gael in 1995. That album attracts attention from Century Media, but the group refuses a contract they consider too restrictive, and the band later disbands in 1997.

Return and releases

Cruachan reforms in January 1999 and signs to Hammerheart Records. The second album, The Middle Kingdom, appears in 2000. By this point, the band moves away from black metal towards a more traditional metal sound.

The next album, Folk-Lore, is co-produced by Shane McGowan of The Pogues. McGowan also provides vocals on covers of two traditional Irish songs, “Spancill Hill” and “Ride On.” “Ride On” is issued as a single and gives the band a small chart presence in Ireland.

Pagan follows in 2004, with cover artwork by John Howe. Keith Fay later criticises its production. The band parts ways with Karmageddon Media in 2005, then records The Morrigan’s Call at the same Sun Studios used for its first three albums. The album is released through AFM Records in 2006.

Drummer Joe Farrell leaves soon after and is replaced by Colin Purcell. In December 2008, vocalist Karen Gilligan leaves, and Keith Fay takes over full-time vocal duties, while John Ryan and John O’ Fathaigh handle backing vocals. A demo recorded in 2010 shows a return to a harder, more black metal-influenced sound, and Candlelight Records UK signs the band in June 2010. Blood on the Black Robe follows in 2011.

Line-up and labels

The group is listed as including John Fay, Keith Fay and John Ryan. Over its career it works with Hammerheart Records, Karmageddon Media, AFM Records and Candlelight Records, and its recorded output includes both studio albums and demo material.