Cruachan (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Headquarters | Dublin , Ireland |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
| Website | www |
Cruachan (; deriving its name from the archaeological site Rathcroghan) is a folk metal group originating from Dublin, Ireland, active since the 1990s. Widely acknowledged as trailblazers in the folk metal genre, their music centers on themes from Celtic music and Celtic mythology, with their sound often categorized as Celtic metal.
History
In 1991, Keith Fay established a black metal project named after Minas Tirith. Inspired by folk influences and Skyclad’s 1990 release The Wayward Sons of Mother Earth, Fay sought to merge black metal with traditional Irish folk elements. The following year, he formed Cruachan and circulated a demo in 1993. Fay has credited the Irish rock band Horslips as a significant influence on their style.
Cruachan’s debut album, Tuatha na Gael, arrived in 1995 but was hampered by substandard production quality. Despite this, it garnered the attention of Century Media Records. However, the band declined a contract due to unfavorable terms that would have ceded control of their music to the label. After unsuccessful negotiations, the group disbanded in 1997.
Reuniting in 1999, Cruachan signed with Hammerheart Records and released The Middle Kingdom in 2000, marking a shift toward more traditional metal sounds and adding vocalist Karen Gilligan. Their subsequent album, Folk-Lore, was co-produced by Shane MacGowan of The Pogues, who also lent his vocals to two traditional cover tracks. The single "Ride On" achieved chart success in Ireland.
Their fourth studio effort, Pagan (2004), featured cover art by John Howe but was criticized by Fay for its production quality. After parting ways with Karmageddon Media in 2005, Cruachan recorded The Morrigan's Call at Sun Studios; it was released in 2006 through AFM Records. Fay regarded this album as their strongest work to date. Shortly thereafter, drummer Joe Farrell departed and was succeeded by Colin Purcell.
In December 2008, vocalist Karen Gilligan amicably exited the band; Keith Fay assumed lead vocal duties with John Ryan and John O' Fathaigh providing backing vocals.
A 2010 demo saw a return to a heavier black metal approach, which led to a recording contract with Candlelight Records UK. Their initial installment of the "Trilogy of Blood," titled Blood on the Black Robe, was released in 2011.
In February 2011, Keith Fay survived a serious assault in Dublin.
By 2014, Cruachan had left Candlelight Records to join Trollzorn Records, a label specializing in folk and pagan metal genres. That year involved extensive touring throughout Europe and Israel while working on their album Blood for the Blood God, which was released in December 2014. Due to recording obligations, they declined an invitation to participate in Paganfest USA 2014.
John Fay departed again in June 2016 after having contributed as a guest musician on previous releases.
On 27 April 2018, Cruachan unveiled their eighth studio album, Nine Years of Blood, a concept work centered around the Nine Years' War (Ireland), concluding their "Blood Trilogy." Later that year, bassist Eric Fletcher left and was replaced by Rustam Shakirzianov.
In 2020, multiple lineup changes took place: Rustam exited following a performance at 70000 Tons of Metal, with former drummer Joe Farrell returning on bass. Drummer Mauro Frison left mid-year after recording the single "The Hawthorn." Additionally, fiddle player John Ryan and guitarist Kieran Ball departed. New members Tom Woodlock (drums), Audrey Trainor (violin), and Dave Quinn (guitar) joined the ensemble.
At the start of 2020, Cruachan parted ways with Trollzorn Records and secured a multi-album agreement with Sweden’s largest rock label, Despotz Records. That year saw the release of the single "The Hawthorn," with their ninth studio album planned for late 2022.
On 1 October 2022, Cruachan submitted an entry for Ireland's selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, though they did not advance to the shortlist. Towards the end of 2023, they submitted another track aiming for consideration in Eurovision 2024.
On 17 January 2023, the band announced their ninth studio album titled The Living and the Dead, scheduled for release on 24 March 2023.
Members
Current
- Keith Fay – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, bodhrán, mandolin, percussion, bouzouki (since 1992)
- Joe Farrell – bass guitar (from 2020 onward); previously drums (1999–2007)
- Audrey Trainor – violin (joined in 2020)
- David Quinn – guitar (active since 2020)
- Tom Woodlock – drums (member since 2020)
Former
- John Clohessy – bass guitar (1992–2012)
- John (O'Fathaigh) Fay – tin whistles, Irish flute, keyboards, percussion (periods: 1993–1997, 1999–2002, 2003, 2008–2016)
- Jay O'Neill – drums and percussion (1993–1997)
- Steven Anderson – guitar and vocals (1993–1994)
- Darryl Conlan – guitar (1992–1993)
- Leon Bias – guitar, mandolin, bouzouki (1994–1995)
- Collette Uí Fathaigh – keyboards (1994–1995)
- Jay Brennan – guitar (1997)
- Aisling Hanrahan – vocals (1997)
- Karen Gilligan – vocals and percussion (1999–2008)
- Edward Gilbert – banjo, guitar, keyboards, tin whistle (2001–2003)
- Colin Purcell – drums and percussion (2007–2012)
- Kieran Ball – guitar (2012–2020)
- Mauro Frison – drums and percussion (2012–2020)
- Eric Fletcher – bass guitar (2012–2018)
- Rustam Shakirzianov – bass guitar (2018–2020)
- John Ryan – violin, banjo, bouzouki (2004–2020); tin whistle (2004–2008)
Timeline
Studio albums
- Tuatha na Gael (released in 1995)
- The Middle Kingdom (2000)
- Folk-Lore (2002)
- Pagan (2004)
- The Morrigan's Call (2006)
- Blood on the Black Robe (2011)
- Blood for the Blood God (2014)
- Nine Years of Blood (2018)
- The Living and the Dead (2023)
Singles
- "Ride On" (issued in 2001)
- "The Hawthorn" (2020 release)
Demos
- Celtica (1994)
- Promo '97 (from 1997) – included with a 2001 bootleg edition of Tuatha na Gael
- Untitled demo (2010) – resulted in a new contract with Candlelight Records
Compilations
- A Celtic Trilogy (2002) – boxed set featuring the first three albums as picture LPs; limited edition of 500 copies
- A Celtic Legacy (2007)