Nine Years of Blood
Cruachan · 2018
48 min · 12 tracks · folk metal
A thunderous blend of traditional Irish folk melodies and heavy metal riffs that evokes a rich tapestry of historical narratives.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hugh O’Neill - Earl of Tyrone — This track captures the essence of political struggle through its powerful instrumentation and narrative-driven lyrics, highlighting O'Neill's role in Irish resistance.
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The Battle of the Yellow Ford — The song blends traditional Irish instruments with heavy guitar riffs, vividly recounting one of Ireland's significant battles while showcasing the band's signature sound.
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Queen of War — Featuring anthemic choruses and dramatic storytelling, this track personifies war itself, creating an unforgettable connection between music and historical context.
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Nine Years of Blood — As the title track, it encapsulates the album’s themes and serves as a poignant reflection on the sacrifices made during a tumultuous period in Irish history.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends folk melodies with metal effectively, showcasing strong compositions and distinct thematic elements.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a powerful orchestral introduction that sets a historical tone, followed by heavy guitar riffs that intertwine with traditional Irish instruments.
- Several songs incorporate traditional Irish folk melodies, creating a dynamic contrast with the metal elements, particularly in the choruses.
- The final track is a slower ballad that reflects on themes of homecoming, providing a poignant conclusion to the album's narrative arc.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- short bursts of historical narratives
- cathartic anthems for battle preparation
- dynamic shifts between intensity levels
- intricate melodies with heavy energy
Maybe skip if you
- prefer relaxed, mellow sounds
- seek lengthy experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Nine Years of Blood' was released in 2018, Cruachan was celebrating their 25th anniversary as a band and had established themselves as pioneers within the folk metal genre. This album came after their previous release, 'Blood for the Blood God', marking a return to the band's roots with a focus on Irish history and mythology.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Eluveitie· Finntroll· Korpiklaani
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 I Am Tuan 2:37
- 2 Hugh O’Neill - Earl of Tyrone 4:37
- 3 Blood and Victory 4:43
- 4 Queen of War 6:16
- 5 The Battle of the Yellow Ford 4:50
- 6 Cath na Brioscai 5:46
- 7 The Harp, the Lion, the Dragon and the Sword 5:28
- 8 An Ale Before Battle 0:27
- 9 Nine Years of Blood 1:35
- 10 The Siege of Kinsale 5:01
- 11 Flight of the Earls 4:05
- 12 Back Home in Derry 2:57
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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