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Unearthing The Metal Underground: The Irish Metal Scene
Every week in Unearthing the Metal Underground, we take a look at three quality bands that haven't gotten as much exposure yet as they should. This week we'll dig into three rocking outfits all hailing from The Republic of Ireland.
Great Britain may be more well known for their heavy metal, but a short trip West finds that the Republic of Ireland has just as strong a heavy metal background. One could even argue that the Irish metal underground is much more varied than the British, boasting a large number of thrash, black, death and in particular doom metal bands. This week we’ll be taking a look at three of the country’s lesser known bands.
Mael Mordha
Proudly claiming themselves to be the world’s only Gaelic doom metal band, Dublin’s Mael Mordha, who take their name from the King of Leinster who led a gruesome rebellion against the High King of Ireland, Brian Ború in 998, formed exactly one thousand years after their namesake’s revolt. They signed with German label, Grau in 2005 and released their first full length album, "Cluain Tarbh" the same year, along with a split record with fellow Irishmen Primordial. Since then, the band has released two more studio albums, with the most recent being, "Manannan" in 2010.
Mael Mordha - "The Serpent And The Black Lake"
Mael Mordha - "Godless Commune Of Sodom"
Enemy Logic
County Cork based Enemy Logic on the other hand, are a much more modern affair in many ways than Mael Mordha. The group originally formed as a more hard rock tinged outfit called Windfall in 2002 but began to incorporate more of their hardcore and death metal influences in 2008 and changed their name to Enemy Logic the same year. Since then the band has released two studio albums, "Bones As Armour" in 2009 and "Breakdown Of The Bicameral Mind" last year.
Enemy Logic - "Scatter The Ashes"
Enemy Logic - "The Savage Mind"
Mutilated Messiah
Considering Ireland’s strong link to Christianity, one would imagine that death metal outfit Mutilated Messiah may find it hard to get booking sometimes. Nevertheless, the band have been going strong since 2003, experiencing only one member change. The band released a few demos and a split EP with Nunslaughter in 2007, before releasing their debut full length album, "Total Fucking Slaughter" last year, which featured such charming song titles as "Blow The Goat" and "Motorcunt."
Mutilated Messiah - "Lucifer"
Mutilated Messiah - "Gut The Priest"
The Republic Of Ireland is certainly one of the more interesting places in the Western world in many aspects, but the Irish metal scene is one which deserves great interest. Please feel free to comment about your favorite Irish bands in the comments below, and check back in next Monday as continue to unearth more underground metal bands.
Ollie Hynes has been a writer for Metal Underground.com since 2007 and a metal fan since 2001, going as far as to travel to other countries and continents for metal gigs.
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16 Comments on "Unearthing The Irish Metal Underground"
Member
3. writes:
Noice. I'm sad there aren't many big Irish bands, Gama Bomb, Cruachan and Primordial are the only ones that spring to mind.
Think I had a few tracks of Suidakra and Mourning Beloveth, but they didn't get much love.
More local, Adrenaline and Acidtone, both split up, but they were some funky stuff
Member
Former Contributor
7. writes:
Have seen Primordial and Gamma Bomb on their most recent trips across the pond. One band who comes to mind;even though their not metal;is punk legends Stiff Little Fingers. Old school;street scrappy punk rock from the North. An influence to Boston punkers Dropkick Murphys. NP: Suspect Devise : Stiff Little Fingers.
8. writes:
Alter of Plagues are another fantastic Irish black metal band, suprised they weren't mentioned.
Wounds are another great band, sound like Iggy POP meets burzum, loads of energy
The scene isn't exactly shining, very hard to get the punters out, but there are gems to find
Member
Member
10. writes:
I live in Waterford in the south of Ireland and a few years ago the metal seen was thriving with alot of local bands from cork and surrounding counties,one of the local promotional companies got the band Proven to come over and play a show.
then like a puff of smoke it just stopped,was really weird.
Some good band for anyone who is intrested to listen.
Five Will Die ( Cork), Red Enemy(Cork),Thoughts of Ruin(Waterford),Two Tales of Woe(Limerick).Brigtania(Kerry)
Member
Member
14. writes:
Clurichaun and city weezle. City Weezle are based out of paris but simon is from Tipperary. Think mr. bungle shaking hands with primus after meeting up with the melvins in king crimosns house.
Clurichaun, in my humble opinion, Have the best riffs in irish metal, and without a doubt one of the best guitarists. More straight forward and moshier. Both on myspace, both defo worth a look.
16. writes:
I can't enter web address as they'll be blocked, so just enter the names in BOLD below into google and they should be top of the list.
Check out 'METALIRELAND' website for info and updates on all metal releated activity in Ireland.
You can also check out the 'IRISH-METAL ARCHIVE'.
All bands featured have either downloads or streams to all or most of their music linked on the site. And all are with full permission from the featured bands.
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1. deathbringer writes:
Excellent find w/ Mael Mordha. Loving the doom.