Origin: Ireland  
Genres: Folk Metal
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Page online: July 19, 2004
Last update/review: April 4, 2023

Cruachan

Of the several bands that profess to be folk metal, Cruachan is arguably one of the folkiest -- many bands in this field are first and foremost metal bands with varying folk influences, but Cruachan almost does it the other way around, as their heavily Celtic folk aspect is as predominant as the metal aspect in their sound. The band has been active since 1992, when they formed as a result of the disbandment of another band (Minas Tirith), with many having come and gone over the early years. The folk sound can be startling upon first listen, especially if one is expecting a harder metal style, but Cruachan capture the Celtic ethos perfectly, and their blend of traditional melodies with metal is impressive and quite interesting.

Current Members

Keith Fay

vocals/guitars/keyboards

Audrey Trainor

violin

Joe Farrell

bass

Tom Woodlock

drums

Former Members/Guests

Karen Gilligan

vocals/percussion

John O'Fathaigh

flute

Jay Brennan

guitars

Kieran Ball

guitars

Dave Quinn

guitars

John Clohessy

bass

Eric Fletcher

bass

John Ryan Will

keyboards/backing vocals

Jay O'Niell

drums

Colin Purcell

drums (ex-Dreamsfear)

Mauro Frison

drums


Discography



Tuatha Na Gael  
1995
  1. I am Tuan
  2. The First Battle of Moytura.
  3. Maeves' March.
  4. Fall of Gondolin.
  5. Cúchulainn.
  6. Táin Bó Cuailgne.
  7. To Invoke the Horned God.
  8. Brian Boru.
  9. To Moytura We Return.
  10. Return ('97 demo)
  11. Erinsong ('97 demo)
  12. Ó ró sé do bheatha bhaile ('97 demo)
  • Keith Fay
  • John O'Fathaigh
  • Jay Brennan
  • John Clohessy
  • Jay O'Niell


The Middle Kingdom  
2000 Hammerheart
  1. A Celtic Mourning.
  2. Celtica (Voice of Morrigan)
  3. The Fianna
  4. A Druids Passing
  5. Is Fuair an Chroí
  6. Cattle Raid of Cooley
  7. The Middle Kingdom (1min .mp3 sample)
  8. Ó ró sé do bheatha bhaile
  9. Unstabled (Steeds of Macha)
  10. The Butterfly
  11. To Hell or to Connaught (digipak bonus)
  • Keith Fay
  • Karen Gilligan
  • John O'Fathaigh
  • John Clohessy
  • Joe Farrell


Ride On  EP
2001 Hammerheart
  1. Ride On
  2. Maeves March 2001
  3. Sauron
  4. To Hell or to Connaught
  • Keith Fay
  • Karen Gilligan
  • John O'Fathaigh
  • John Clohessy
  • Joe Farrell


Folk-Lore  
2002 Hammerheart
  1. Bloody Sunday
  2. Victory Reel
  3. Death of a Gael
  4. Rocky Road
  5. Ossian's Return
  6. Spancill Hill
  7. Children of Lir
  8. Ride On
  9. Susie Moran
  10. Exiles
  11. Horned God
  • Keith Fay
  • Karen Gilligan
  • John O'Fathaigh
  • John Clohessy
  • Joe Farrell


Pagan  
2004 Karmageddon Media
  1. Michael Collins
  2. Pagan
  3. The Gael
  4. Ard Ri Na Heirann
  5. March To Cluain Tairbh
  6. Viking Slayer
  7. 1014 AD
  8. Some Say The Devil Is Dead
  9. 1000 Years
  10. Lament For The Wild Geese
  11. Erinsong
  12. Summoning Of The Sidhe
  13. The Fall Of Gondolin
  • Keith Fay
  • Karen Gilligan
  • John O'Fathaigh
  • John Clohessy
  • Joe Farrell


The Morrigan's Call  
2006 Karmageddon Media
  1. Shelob
  2. The Brown Bull of Cooley
  3. Coffin Ships
  4. The Great Hunger
  5. The Old Woman in the Woods
  6. Ungoliant
  7. The Morrigan's Call
  8. Teir Abhaile Riú
  9. Wolfe Tone
  10. The Very Wild Rover
  11. Cuchulainn
  12. Diarmuid and Grainne
  • Keith Fay
  • Karen Gilligan
  • John Clohessy
  • Joe Farrell


A Celtic Legacy  COMPILATION
2007 Karmageddon Media


Blood On The Black Robe  
2011 Candlelight
  • Keith Fay
  • John O'Fathaigh
  • John Clohessy
  • John Ryan Will
  • Colin Purcell


Blood For The Blood God  
2014 Trollzorn
  1. Crom Cruach
  2. Blood for the Blood God
  3. The Arrival of the Fir Bolg
  4. Beren and Luthien
  5. The Marching Song of Fiach Mac Hugh
  6. Prophecy
  7. Gae Bolga
  8. The Sea Queen of Connaught
  9. Born for War (The Rise of Brian Boru)
  10. Perversion, Corruption and Sanctity - Part 1
  11. Perversion, Corruption and Sanctity - Part 2
  • Keith Fay
  • John O'Fathaigh
  • Kieran Ball
  • Eric Fletcher
  • John Ryan Will
  • Mauro Frison
2014 Readers' Album #73



Nine Years Of Blood  
2018 Trollzorn
  1. I Am Tuan
  2. Hugh O'Neill - Earl of Tyrone
  3. Blood and Victory
  4. Queen of War
  5. The Battle of the Yellow Ford
  6. Cath na Brioscai
  7. The Harp, the Lion, the Dragon and the Sword
  8. An Ale Before Battle
  9. Nine Years of Blood
  10. The Siege of Kinsale
  11. Flight of the Earls
  12. Back Home in Derry
  • Keith Fay
  • Kieran Ball
  • Eric Fletcher
  • John Ryan Will
  • Mauro Frison


The Living And The Dead  
2023 Despotz
  • Keith Fay
  • Audrey Trainor
  • Dave Quinn
  • Joe Farrell
  • Tom Woodlock



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