Reviews: Ruadh, Asidhara, The Shunkos, Penny Coffin (Reviews By Matt Bladen)

Ruadh are a band so Scottish you can smell the Tartan, the only thing that would make them more Scottish would be adding narration to their concept albums from any numerous Scottish actors but my money would be on Brian Cox. All of the albums are conceptual dealing with Scottish history and the battles against the English for independence. 1296 especially is based around the English invasion and the first wars of independence, an entire decade of war, and the most famous event for non-Scots being the 1296 Sack Of Berwick, the first ‘proper’ track on this album after the triumphal intro Guardians Of Scotland. 

Now I’ve mentioned before how I enjoy the symphonic, blackened folk metal of Ruadh being a fellow Celt, the pipes, strings and synths all add to the cinematic quality of the records, with this fourth album being the best usage yet, vocally the squawks are joined by bellows as Tom Perret the creative force behind Ruadh, flexes his vocals brilliantly as well as writing, mixing and producing the record, all layovers from his time as one man unit. However with Alan Buchan (guitar), Kim Copland (bass) and Mihai Puscasu (drums) now part of the recording line up as well as the live one, there’s a bit more creative flexibility as they can play their own way against Perret’s writing, making 1296 more collaborative and exciting than previous records. 

I really enjoyed Eternal, the last Ruadh record but 1296 is better, making an impression from that intro, King Of Scots rattles out of your speakers with tremendous force, black metal blastbeating away with an untold might, while Toom Tabard airs on power/melodic death metal territory with its anthemic stride. The six songs here just feel epic, sweeping Scottish vista conjured in the mind’s eye as the sound of swords clash, anguished voices crying out in opposition to an oppressive government wanting to interfere in Scottish affairs. 

726 years have passed and nothing much has changed, however on 1296 the victory is for Scotland albeit through the development of the Longbow, perhaps not the best bargaining tool today. Put 1296 on loud and indulge in the history and histrionics. 9/10

Asidhara – Echoes Of The Ancients (Self Released)

With all this talk of the new Metallica album its’ sometime easy to forget there is still antagonistic, aggressive thrash being made. It’s even being made in your local area. Asidhara are a Cardiff based thrash band whose debut EP Echoes Of The Ancients contains the same blood-soaked battle thrash to bands such as Power Trip and High Command. Frantic, steel wielding riffs, nasty, snarled vocals and lots of blast beats come at you on tracks such as Enter The Eldritch God, before they shift focus to a steady stomp groove for some perfect cross over pitting, the solos melodic but short making a point before getting back to the savage riffs. 

Speaking of Metallica the final song The Battle Hymn Of Il A’tir has that atmospheric middle section they used to love in the 80’s where it all slows down and the guitars can solo in wah-wah reverbed glory before the noise picks back up, the production from Woodcroft Audio, fantastic. Echoes Of The Ancients in more ways than one as the lyrics hark back to fantasy and history but the music wears its influences proudly. Excellent thrash from these local lads. 8/10 

The Shunkos – The Shunkos (Lavender Sweep Records)

As the 1 minute 28 seconds of Uni Mate, the first track on the self titled EP from these Port Talbot punks gets going I was half expecting a Dee Dee Ramone-like shout of “1,2,3,4!” as The Shunkos play the same kind of four on the floor, sneering, sarcastic punk as the New York band. Coming from the same kind of urban sprawl too, their lyrics are based in reality making light of situations and characters with attitude and cheeky grin. 

Shouted gang vocals and simple riffs come on 83 (the only song about a bus route you’ll hear this year), while there’s some surf rock on Meal Deal, the second longest song here behind Beer & Gear, which rounds out this EP with some Chuck Berry-esque rock n rolling. Youthful exuberance meets an understanding of the punk scene, The Shunkos will be rabble rousing near you soon. 7/10

Penny Coffin - Conscripted Morality (Dry Cough Records & At With False Noise)

Death metal, it's a funny old thing, Penny Coffin are at the more extreme end, the concussive blasting of Bolt Thrower, Hail Of Bullets etc is the trench where they lay their bodies down. This second album is blistering from the first moment, sharp DM riffs, grinding, mechanical guitars and artillery-like drumming barrages, with vocals that are indistinguishable, it’s a load of seething metal that unleashes itself across 4, quite long songs. 

Now Penny Coffin manage to put some variation into every song so it’s never monotonous but unless you like punishing grooves Conscripted Morality maybe a little too much to handle. Also as note, due to the varied way of recording this record, in various times places and capacities according to their bandcamp, it means that it’s quite raw so if you listen to it through a 1 channel device like a phone which doesn’t have stereo speakers, you won’t hear the vocals or leads, just chugging. 

So stick on the headphones or play through a proper speaker, letting Penny Coffin bash you around the head. 6/10