From Bandcamp, "1296" saw the Sack of Berwick and the beginning of English invasion of Scotland in what is known as the first wars of Independence. The album is six tracks built around the people and events of this period with some noted absences due to the obvious limitation to tell a story in this medium without it being excessively long. This is an album, not a book, so it won't map the entire multiple-decade conflict but an abbreviated version of history."

"Guardians of Scotland" is the first song. It's a short intro piece, with traditional instruments like the bagpipes, and the tone is ominous. Take up arms now, and fight for your life, your family, and your freedom. "Sack of Berwick" has a bloody battle at its core. The vocals are harsh and angry, like a general shouting commands to his warriors. The clean vocals are just as ominous. The English were ruthless with the Scots. There are stories of them killing women and children, and raping on their war trails. The Scots, though outnumbered, were fighting for their freedoms, and could be considered as two English in one. "Toom Tabard" means "empty coat" and refers to the general ineffectiveness of King John Balliol during this battle year. The tones in this song are hardened but sad, and there are nice symphonic elements in the background.

"Rise of the North" begins with angelic voices like those you might hear in church on Sunday. Oddly, both sides of the battle claimed they were doing it for God. The angry vocals echo the sentiment of rising against the invaders and pushing them back, and the drums replicate the machine gun fire when there we no guns, so the swift swinging of the sword. "King of Scots" probably refers again to John Balliol, who basically lost the battle, and Scotland had no real king until Robert the Bruce a few years into the 14^th century. The music takes you onto the battlefield, where you can witness the carnage first hand. Picture bodies everywhere, some still alive, and the overwhelming stench of death. There is also a sad tone to the music.

"The Treaty" closes the album. It's close to ten minutes in length. Of course, any treaties that were signed were not honored by the English, because they continued to engage the Scots for years to come. The bagpipes play a prominent role in this song, as do shouted, raging vocals and thick drum passages. The song takes a swift turn after the half-way mark, and you can hear the Scots preparing for one final battle, and the end is nigh. As a Campbell, I am very familiar with Scottish history and the battles of the 13^th and 14^th centuries. I love that the album echoed the sentiment of those times. The Scots were simple, but proud people, and not someone you would want to corner. The battle was captured perfectly by RUADH, and I'm glad they took on a subject of historical significance.