Blood for the Blood God
Cruachan · 2014
89 min · 18 tracks · folk metal
A fierce collision of traditional Irish melodies and heavy metal aggression, rich with mythological themes and epic storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Blood for the Blood God — The title track encapsulates the album's ethos, merging aggressive instrumentation with visceral lyrics about sacrifice and battle, making it a centerpiece of their narrative approach.
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Beren and Luthien — This track draws from Tolkien's lore, highlighting Cruachan's ability to weave intricate storytelling within their music, showcasing both lyrical depth and melodic complexity.
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The Sea Queen of Connaught — With its haunting melodies and dynamic shifts, this song exemplifies how Cruachan blends atmospheric elements with heavy riffs, creating a vivid sonic landscape rooted in Irish heritage.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively combines folk and metal elements, though its cohesion is affected by numerous demo tracks at the end.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features fast-paced tracks that blend heavy guitar riffs with traditional Irish instruments, while the second half shifts to slower, more atmospheric pieces.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- epic storytelling through music
- intense journeys of mythology
- dynamic shifts in pacing
- immersive narrative-driven experience
- fierce energy for workouts
Maybe skip if you
- prefer light, casual listening
- seek quick, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When 'Blood for the Blood God' was released in 2014, Cruachan was solidifying their status as pioneers in the folk metal genre, following a career that began in the mid-1990s. This album marked their return after a five-year hiatus since 'The Morrigan's Call' in 2009, showcasing a matured sound while still embracing their Celtic roots.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Eluveitie· Finntroll· Korpiklaani
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Crom Cruach 1:06
- 2 Blood for the Blood God 5:49
- 3 The Arrival of the Fir Bolg 6:27
- 4 Beren and Luthien 5:47
- 5 The Marching Song of Fiach Mac Hugh 3:22
- 6 Prophecy 4:52
- 7 Gae Bolga 4:04
- 8 The Sea Queen of Connaught 7:26
- 9 Born for War (The Rise of Brian Boru) 5:52
- 10 Perversion, Corruption and Sanctity, Part 1 5:51
- 11 Perversion, Corruption and Sanctity, Part 2 4:29
Disc 2
- 1 Pagan 4:21
- 2 Prophecy (demo) 4:52
- 3 The Sea Queen of Connaught (demo) 6:30
- 4 The Marching Song of Feach Mac Hugh (demo) 3:30
- 5 I Am Warrior (demo) 5:12
- 6 Pagan Hate (demo) 5:13
- 7 Voyage of Bran (demo) 4:17
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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