Crógacht
Encyclopedia
Crógacht is the ninth studio album by the German melodic death metal band Suidakra
. This album features a greater Celtic sound and theme than earlier works. In particular, it builds on the sound formed in the previous album, Caledonia
, notably through the additional introduction of a sixteen-member choir as well as traditional instruments, such as the tin whistle
, banjo
, in addition to the bagpipe featured in both albums. Contrasting these new influences, Crógacht maintains the well-grounded melodic death sound that SuidAkrA began with in earlier albums.
. It tells the story of the hero Cuchulainn
’s journey to the Hebridean
island of Skye
, where he seeks to learn the arts of war from the Scythian warrior woman Scáthach
. The decisions he then has to make set the events in motion that will lead up to his son Conlaoch
’s tragic fate.
Suidakra
SuidAkrA is a melodic death metal band from Germany with Celtic folk influences. During their fourteen-year career, they have performed over 200 live shows for several European and Russian tours, as well as a North American tour...
. This album features a greater Celtic sound and theme than earlier works. In particular, it builds on the sound formed in the previous album, Caledonia
Caledonia (album)
Caledonia is the eighth studio album by the German melodic death metal band SuidAkrA. The lyrical themes of Caledonia are the mystical side of the tribe of the Picts, their war against the attacking Roman Empire and the co-incidence of these two completely different worlds.Caledonia was recorded...
, notably through the additional introduction of a sixteen-member choir as well as traditional instruments, such as the tin whistle
Tin whistle
The tin whistle, also called the penny whistle, English Flageolet, Scottish penny whistle, Tin Flageolet, Irish whistle and Clarke London Flageolet is a simple six-holed woodwind instrument. It is an end blown fipple flute, putting it in the same category as the recorder, American Indian flute, and...
, banjo
Banjo
In the 1830s Sweeney became the first white man to play the banjo on stage. His version of the instrument replaced the gourd with a drum-like sound box and included four full-length strings alongside a short fifth-string. There is no proof, however, that Sweeney invented either innovation. This new...
, in addition to the bagpipe featured in both albums. Contrasting these new influences, Crógacht maintains the well-grounded melodic death sound that SuidAkrA began with in earlier albums.
Release history and tour activity
Crógacht was recorded and mixed between 10 November 2008 and 30 November 2008 by Martin Buchwalter at Gernhart Recording Studio in Siegburg, Germany. The album was released on February 20, 2009 in Germany, and on 3 March 2009 in the United States. In early 2009, SuidAkrA supported its release on a North American tour.Concept and storyline
"Crógacht", the Irish word for bravery, is based in its entirety on the Irish folktale, Aided Óenfhir AífeAided Óenfhir Aífe
Aided Óenfhir Aífe is a story from the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology.It is a sequel to Tochmarc Emire , in which the Ulaid hero Cú Chulainn, while training in arms overseas, left the warrior princess Aífe pregnant...
. It tells the story of the hero Cuchulainn
Cúchulainn
Cú Chulainn or Cúchulainn , and sometimes known in English as Cuhullin , is an Irish mythological hero who appears in the stories of the Ulster Cycle, as well as in Scottish and Manx folklore...
’s journey to the Hebridean
Hebrides
The Hebrides comprise a widespread and diverse archipelago off the west coast of Scotland. There are two main groups: the Inner and Outer Hebrides. These islands have a long history of occupation dating back to the Mesolithic and the culture of the residents has been affected by the successive...
island of Skye
Skye
Skye or the Isle of Skye is the largest and most northerly island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The island's peninsulas radiate out from a mountainous centre dominated by the Cuillin hills...
, where he seeks to learn the arts of war from the Scythian warrior woman Scáthach
Scáthach
Scáthach is a figure in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology. She is a legendary Scottish warrior woman and martial arts teacher who trains the legendary Ulster hero Cú Chulainn in the arts of combat...
. The decisions he then has to make set the events in motion that will lead up to his son Conlaoch
Connla
Connla or Conlaoch is a character in the Ulster Cycle of Irish mythology, the son of the Ulster champion Cú Chulainn and the Scottish warrior woman Aífe. He was raised alone by his mother in Scotland...
’s tragic fate.
Track listing
- "Slán" – 1:49
- "Conlaoch" – 5:18
- "Isle of Skye" – 6:00
- "Scáthach" – 5:09
- "Feats of War" – 2:47
- "Shattering Swords" – 4:15
- "Ár Nasc Fola" – 3:02
- "Gilded Oars" – 5:36
- "Baile's Strand" – 7:20
Personnel
- Arkadius Antonik – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, vocals, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, banjo - Marcus Riewaldt – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Lars Wehner – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, backing vocalsBacking vocalistA backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists... - Axel Römer - bagpipes, tin whistle
- Martin Buchwalter – mixingRe-recording mixerA re-recording mixer, formerly known as a dubbing mixer, is a person who is part of a post-production sound team and works specifically with dialog, music and sound effects to create the final soundtrack for a production...
- Kris Verwimp - lyricsLyricistA lyricist is a songwriter who specializes in lyrics. A singer who writes the lyrics to songs is a singer-lyricist. This differentiates from a singer-composer, who composes the song's melody.-Collaboration:...
, cover artCover artCover art is the illustration or photograph on the outside of a published product such as a book , magazine, comic book, video game , DVD, CD, videotape, or music album. The art has a primarily commercial function, i.e...
work, album conceptConcept albumIn music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing... - Tina Stabel - vocals on Feats of War
- Miriam Hensel - additional guest vocals on Shattering Swords