Fuil Na Seanchoille (ROI) | ‘Demo MMVIII’

I’m not indisposed to tapes. I’m just indisposed to the shite contained on them nowadays, largely put there by people who never used them in the first place.

But black metallers will be black metallers, and at least this one plays music worthy of the format.

Openings are inauspicious. ‘As An tOirhear’ sounds exactly like the type of useless identikit BM peddled by a thousand latecoming no-hopers, with a basic repetitive riff and some so-so howling. Strangely though, ones ears being to appreciate it little by little, and its obvious that poor tracklisting is the only flaw: because it gets much better after that.

Demo highlight ‘SeanCríonnact’ shows why. Drenched in reverb, like it was recorded in some unhappy, watery cave, its hypnotic and fast push is packed with intensity. Praise should also be given here for the wild and unkempt guitar solo, which though a mainstay of early (and hence proper) black metal, seemed to desert the genre after the first Mayhem offerings.

This kind of string strangulation only adds to the howl and bark of the vocals, which reach their demented best on the above track. Better yet, unless I’m mistaken, this all sounds pretty real - no drum machines - with a buzzsaw bass and that kind of nasal guitar tone that made the early greats as atmospheric as they were.

This isnt some retro jewel. It’s a competent and atmospheric Irish BM offering, showing promise and a certain dedication. Sad though, that even achiving that much lifts it into some brilliant realm in comparison with this lad’s peers. Ignore most tapes. Pick up this one.

Ciaran Tracey ::: 22/07/09