The Tribes of Witching Souls
Tuatha De Danann
In the 90's, parallel what was happening in Europe, a new Metal genre was being created by a Brazilian band from Varginha (MG). As SKYCLAD was building Folk Metal, the Brazilian pioneers of TUATHA DE DANANN were beginning to mix influences from Heavy/Power Metal with some extreme Metal influences and a lot of Celtic/Folk music. And after years without a new studio album (after 2004, only a live acoustic home video was released), they came back on 2015 with the album "Dawn of a New Sun", and to make the happiness of their fans, the Brazilian bards are releasing now an EP called "The Tribes of Witching Souls".
The main difference of the trio for other bands from the same genre is that since their 1995 Demo "The Last Pendragon", the influence of Progressive Rock music is presented on their work (you can find traces of JETHRO TULL's influences on some moments). The created something of their own, and here is presented in a lapidated form, in a more accessible format with great melodies (the extreme grunts are punctual on the EP). But don't be deceived: under the melodies that catch the listener by the heart easily there are a great set of musical arrangements. It sounds easy to understand, but under a lay of charming details. And that's good, tender and unique.
The production was done by the founder Bruno Maia, who had Brendan Duffey making the mixing of "The Tribes of Witching Souls", "Turn", "Warrior Queen", "Your Wall Shall Fall" and "Conjura", and the mastering of the album, and Fabrício Altino (who played drums for the band on this EP) made the mixing of "Outcry" e "Tan Pinga Ra Tan". Their efforts built a very good sound quality that is heavy, but clean and that allows the listeners to understand and absorb what the band express on the songs.
Having special guests that are known as Martin Walkyier (the founder of SKYCLAD and the godfather of Folk/Pagan Metal) on the vocals on "Your Wall Shall Fall" (an aggressive song, with excellent Folk elements in the middle of the guitar riffs), NERVOSA's singer Fernanda Lira on the vocals of "Tan Pinga Ra Tan" (a classic song of their first album that here is in an introspective and orchestral version), the EP is amazing. Along with these two above, the other best ones: "The Tribes of Witching Souls" (that is a song in the traditional way of the band, bearing a fine mix between Heavy/Power Metal melodies with Folk/Celtic elements), the modern energy of "Turn", and the introspective and charming "Warrior Queen". And as bonus tracks, the Demo versions for "Rhymes Against Humanity" (that is from 2004) and the instrumental form of "The Tribes of Witching Souls".
Yes, TUATHA DE DANAAN shows on "Tribes of the Witching Souls" that they still have place in Metal world, that their work is unique, and that Metalheads can trust on their name.
10 / 10
Masterpiece
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"The Tribes of Witching Souls" Track-listing:
1. The Tribes of Witching Souls
2. Turn
3. Warrior Queen
4. Your Wall Shall Fall
5. Conjura
6. Outcry
7. Tan Pinga Ra Tan
8. Rhymes Against Humanity (Demo 2004) (bonus track)
9. The Tribes of Witching Souls (Demo Instrumental) (bonus track)
Tuatha De Danann Lineup:
Bruno Maia - Vocals, flutes, guitars, acoustic viola, bouzouki, mandolin, banjo
Giovani Gomes - Bass, harsh vocals
Edgard Brito - Keyboards
More results...