3 years after the release of their debut album “Pledge Nothing but Flesh“, the Irish duo Scáth Na Déithe came back on the 30th of January with the sophomore album, “The Dirge of Endless Mourning“, via the German label Vendetta Records.
Several things have changed in the past 3 years, and the most important thing is the absence of Stephen Todd, who’s been the band’s drummer since their beginnings. According to the band’s statement, for the recordings of this new album he’s been replaced with Tom Woodlock (zhOra), so it remains to be seen if Stephen will return at some point or not.
Another thing is that the band has inked a deal with the label Vendetta Records, who has already released the debut album on vinyl 2 years ago. And last but not least, there’s also been a change in production/album mastering, as this time they worked with Colin Marston from The Thousand Caves instead of Necromorbus Studios.
What has not changed though is the person behind the graphics, so Luciana Nedelea has again done a tremendous job with the cover art, as she previously did for the band’s 1st album. Usually the music goes hand in hand with the covers, and this album makes no exception so I am really glad their collaboration continued.
“The Dirge of Endless Mourning” contains 4 very long tracks but unlike the “Pledge…” album, there are no intros or interludes to be found. The band does not venture on different paths and does not approach different musical territories than before, but instead they take their music to another level of atmosphere and feeling. After a few listens I instantly felt immersed in an ocean of depression and uncomfortable solitude, which lasted quite some time after the music ended. And that is really scary.
The debut track “The Maligner’s Tongue” is maybe the faster one on the album, and Tom really proves his blast beating and double bass skills from the very start. Cathal Hughes‘s cavernous vocals envelop you in a morbid shroud from the very first lines, “A warped memory, tarnished simulacrum / Twisted portrayal of opposing vehemence”, paving the way for what is to come.
“Misery Beyond Time” follows next and starts with a very slow drum part accompanied by some guitar lines that pledge nothing but sorrow. Despite the heaviness of the sound, there is melody and emotion in the music and that is best felt during the slow passages, when the storm calms down and the dust settles over the desolate musical landscape. The last minute of this track is the best example and you can think of it as some kind of an unsettling outro, chosen to “break” the album in two.
“Ochón” and “Remnant Understanding” are the longest tracks on this album and their length somehow brings a violent closure to this dark voyage through Irish folklore and sinister tales. Alternating between the blackened death metal parts and the funeral doom-like passages, the two musicians created a murky landscape filled with sorrow and desperation while still maintaining a certain beauty in this utter darkness that is “The Dirge of Endless Mourning“.
Even if quite long, the tracks are not boring and the whole structure is in fact one solid and mournful album, with multiple layers of rhythm and sound. Add to that Cathal‘s lyrics and tormented voice and then you’ll have the full black and white, dusty picture of some long forgotten faces brought back to life through the power of music.
3 years ago, when I reviewed “Pledge Nothing but Flesh“, I wrote that “I urge you to play the CD at maximum volume but beware, there’s a lot of insanity on this record, use it at your own risk.” “The Dirge of Endless Mourning” is no different and you will hear that “insanity” from the the very beginning, all through the whole 44 minutes of this beautiful album.
This second album is a very consistent album and with it, Scáth Na Déithe has reached the desired maturity while also becoming one of the best bands in the genre. Considering their length, I strongly believe it is not easy to create songs like these ones, but Scáth Na Déithe has again pulled it off. And their releases are the best proof of that.
“Life begun and grown from the coffin, Life’s procession in funeral disguise
Death a mystery to those below, Death a border grown dim with time“.
“The Dirge of Endless Mourning” track list:
1. The Maligner’s Tongue
2. Misery Beyond Time
3. Ochón
4. Remnant Understanding
Scáth Na Déithe line-up:
Cathal Hughes – vocals, guitar, bass, keys
Tom Woodlock – drums
Band contact:
https://www.facebook.com/scathnadeithe
https://scathnadeithe.bandcamp.com/releases
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