Aisling | Trath Na Goath

Aisling’s first demo blew my head off back in 2001: a storming take on black folk, which was benefitted rather than compromised by a certain naivete and honesty of expression. It’s odd how the most unlikely foreign bands can adopt a specifically Irish ethos and aesthetic, and though the Irish-Italian connection has always been a strong one, not least here in Belfast itself, a quick scan down the lineup reveals a full compliment of Italian nomenclature - intriging then that they fixate upon a specifically Irish national identity, but highly rewarding in that they exhibit many of the best musical trappings of the pagan/folk style that Irish bands can’t even yet master.

I’ve been keeping regular tabs on the band, being confident that their next offering would be the start of some truly impressive things for them. It must be said though that this is a substantial U-Turn from their debut, and sadly I think I prefer it more. The metal on here is reasonable but not exceptional, but the folk aspect is delivered in highly impressive fashion. In contrast to the first, where the attack was fierce and fast, we now have a more melodic approach with more musical exploration going on. But the real joy of this brief demo is the skill in which the softer sections have been worked in, with their varied and toneful selection of instrumentation giving a genuinely evocative and melancholy feel to the proceedings.

In fact so good are the flute passages that they even conjure Bréton folk moods with as much panache as any Irish stylings. In truth then their influences are Celtic in the general sense, though the lyrics are at times delivered in Gaelic, and this is genuinely rivetting to hear. But we’re here to review Metal after all, and while credible and executed tolerably, their metallic component just needs a little more bite. In its defence though, a decent stab at the pagan/folk niche, which will likely have high appeal to those versed in the style.

3.6/ 5. -Ciaran Tracey::: 19/06/04