TRIDDANA can be properly describe as Celtic-themed Power / Folk Metal from Argentina. I know what it sounds like, Celtic-themed Power Folk Metal from Argentina. What? Why? Isn't that the wrong corner of the world for this style of music to be coming from? Shouldn't this style of music be coming from a place like Ireland, Scotland, or Wales? I certainly understand why this may sound weird, but you will understand after reading this way it makes complete and perfect sense for this style of music to come from the South American continent. Argentina, in many ways, is similar to the United States in the sense that the nation has been built up and fueled by immigration in the same way that it has here in the US.

Of course we know about the Spanish immigrants that came over to Argentina and established their language and culture as the dominant one. However, there was also a small contingent of immigrants from the United Kingdom that brought their own culture to add into the melting pot that is Argentinian history. On top of that, it was Celtic culture that reigned supreme in the Iberian Peninsula during the time of the Roman Empire where Hispanic culture was birthed and ultimately spread to the New World. So by all rights, TRIDDANA has a robust link to its Celtic roots in the Old World and embraces them completely. This combination of Old World roots and New World flamboyance makes for a very potent combination that is both exciting and entertaining to the listener.

This is my first time hearing of and listening to TRIDDANA, so of course I did some digging into the band's history and discovered everything to learn about it. Much of that can be read elsewhere online, because for me, solely focusing upon the backstory and personnel changes can be a distraction from the music itself. But it seems that after the turbulent early years, the lineup has solidified with all of the key players that are needed to make some amazing music. In regards to remixing and remastering the album, I have somewhat mixed feelings about it. Not necessarily because the quality of the work that has been done is lacking in any way. It has more to do with the fact that the first pressing of "Ripe For Rebellion" sounded excellent already.

As a fan, you might be left wondering, "Wait! Why mess with something that already sounds great?" But as an artist myself, I completely understand why the remix and remaster was done. I have had multiple conversations with friends of mine that are in Metal bands around the world about this very subject. Almost all of them have shared with me at one point or another that they would love to re-record their debut albums due to the fact that listening to them now, they hear so many rookie mistakes. I'm sure that the members of TRIDDANA feel similarly about this, as well as giving Juan José a chance to firmly establish himself as the lead singer. His Bruce Dickinson-inspired vocals fit like a velvet glove from start to finish, and if you didn't know the band's history, you would think that he was the lead singer from the get-go.

One point that I have to give a lot of credit to TRIDDANA for is the fact that when it comes to things like government and religion, it retains the angst confusion that is rife in most Irish Folk Music. Songs like "The Dead End Verse" perfectly capture the feeling of how most of us Irish feel about religion. We have seen an empirical neighbor historically try to (and in many ways succeed in) oppressively grinding us into submission. When studying the history of the Celts of the British Isles, it should surprise you very little to understand why we have an aversion to anyone telling us Celts what to do. In many ways, we always keep a part of the Old Ways within us. This is why "All Souls Night" by Loreena McKennitt doesn't sound weird or juxtaposed on this album. It fits perfectly and belongs here.

Overall, it's not surprising to see why "Ripe For Rebellion" made waves in the Metal scene the way it did when it was first released. For a bunch of Argentinian lads, they made this American of Irish / Scottish ancestry feel like he was listening to an album made by some of my Celtic brothers. There's no trace of that awkward sense of in genuine weirdness that is found on some Celtic Metal albums where the musicians have no link to the Celtic corner of the world. The Celtic link here is strong and alive, and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this album. Just like their compatriots in BOUDIKA that I reviewed earlier, the Argentinian Heavy Metal scene is a quiet powerhouse that can make some of the best European bands a bit nervous when they have to go onstage after them. This is an important step for TRIDDANA because now that all of the right people onboard, there is no more question as to who will be involved as they move forward. And yes, as always, BUY THIS ALBUM!!!