Mael Mórdha

Mael Mórdha

Mael Mórdha is a Dublin, Ireland-based doom metal and folk metal group active since 1998. The band is associated with Gaelic doom metal, combining doom metal with traditional Irish laments. Its line-up includes Roibéard Ó Bogail, Gerry Clince, Dave Murphy and Shane Cahill.

History

Formed in January 1998, Mael Mórdha develops a distinctive sound through Irish folk elements and heavy metal. The band begins recording in 1999 with its first EP, The Path to Insanity. This is followed in early 2000 by The Inferno Spreads, which includes the track “Atlas of Sorrow”; that song later appears on Sentinel Records’ In Unison compilation the same year.

The group concentrates on live performance across Ireland and then records Caoineadh na nGael, which receives positive attention, including recognition from German Metal Hammer and Rock Hard. It then writes and records Cluain Tarbh in late 2003. After this release, the band signs to Dutch label Karmageddon Media, which issues its debut album, Cluain Tarbh, in 2005. An alternative version of the title track is also released on a limited 7-inch split with Primordial through Sentinel Records.

Mael Mórdha later records a demo of material for a new album in November 2005, and this leads to a contract with Grau Records in February 2006. Grau releases Gealtacht Mael Mórdha in 2007, followed by a re-released version of Cluain Tarbh in 2008, with re-recorded versions of “Tá Mael Mórdha ag Teacht” and “A Path to Glory”. The band records Manannán in spring 2009 and Grau releases it in 2010.