By: Cnoc an Tursa

Release Date: April 24th, 2026

Format Used: Digital

Rating: 3.5/5

Ah yes, the Scots, an unruly bunch bunch of Mountain Celts who felt that a single hillfort would not suffice to protect them from the invaders besieging them since the Romans was thoroughly cowed by the ginger maniacs and built a wall to keep them in. How unfortunate that the English were not so easily beaten back. Yes the plight of the Scots is indeed sad, and it is therefore appropriate that Cnoc an Tursa’s latest release has a sorrowful, melancholic sound that permeates every song. We also see the clean female vocals – because apparently we need that beauty and the beast vocal gimmick here – in addition to the slight metalcore leaning rasps that has marked Cnoc an Tursa’s debut album as well.

Every song on this release is long. I have personally find it dragging in places and I am a certified alumi of mage college! The songs have enough variety and creativity but the sections of the song tend to plod a little bit as we sit on the opposite end of our seats awaiting the next lead or vocal section. The atmosphere is more than decent, and it reminds me a lot of Saor, another band with “scottish sensibilities” – so to speak.

One strong element of the album is that we do have keyboards and other musical ornamentation clearly audible in the mix. And this is no small feat mind you, as some Folk Metal bands – who do this as their forte – do not always have all the little embellishments pop up. I do find the clean vocals thrown in to add to the overall experience, even if I feel like the contrast isn’t as stark as you would have with say even more guttural death metal vocals.

Their lyrics have less swaggering nationalistic pride this time around, and there are some interesting forays into mythology and folklore. I’m not sure how to feel about “Am Fear Llath Mór” – have the Scots finally discovered I open portals into the mists of their highlands to abduct the frail and the weak? I would need my acolytes to look into this, but at least from the song it appears that they have not yet guessed at my nefarious purposes yet. Regardless, the eerie subject-matter and more lamenting tone of the obligatory pride songs make this album feel much fresher than it would otherwise.

Between this album and their debut, I feel Giants of Auld is still stronger. I will be looking at their sophomore effort next just because this album is good enough to make you want to see if the last part of the trinity also holds up. If you like atmospheric Black Metal, give this release a listen.