Black Metal one-man bands exist since BATHORY came up in the first half of the 80's, with its first release (although Quorthon always claimed that he had a help from drummers to record the albums). From those days on, there are always many works being released in such format. And now, from Ireland, comes FUIL NA SEANCHOILLE, that is releasing its second album, "The Crossing". The musical work of Satyrign (the only member of the band) is based on a form of Old School Black Metal in the vein of those works heard on the earlier years of the 90's, but always with some Folk/Pagan influences. It's far from being something new or different from other works heard before. But it's not so bad.

The great problem is the raw sound quality used on the recording, mixing and mastering of "The Crossing". Anyone who deals with Black Metal knows that a crude sonority can fit on the releases of the genre, but not in such way. To sound crude doesn't mean that the listeners must have problems to understand of what is being done. Musically, there are four songs, and some good ideas can be heard on "The Crossing II" and "The Crossing I" (this order is because it's a cassette release), with very good guitar riffs, besides the rhythm is constant and the vocals barely can be understood. The first "The Crossing I" is a Folk song with female voices (a beautiful song, indeed), and the second "The Crossing II" is a calm instrumental.

Obviously some fanatics for moldy and raw sound qualities into Black Metal will love "The Crossing". But some evolution and a better sonority would help FUIL NA SEANCHOILLE to be on another level. Musical talent for such thing, Satyrign has.