---

Cnoc An Tursa are natives of Falkirk, Scotland, who have just re-issued their album, "The Giants of Auld" through Candlelight Records. For the most part, they offer black metal sounds and some rough hints of folk metal riffings. Their lyrics are derived from Scottish folklore and poetries of Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and John Stuart. The lyrics are beautifully crafted and good pieces of literature, I must say.

"The Giants of Auld" possesses a uniform pace and the riff-works surge forward as the album progresses. I’m still very impressed with their ability to meld these assorted songs to make them consistent and whole. It is clear Cnoc An Tursa has the tools for fusing various elements with ease and they  gain ground especially in the execution of the keyboards in Culloden Moor (1:32), the thrilling yet simplistic rock–esque throughout Ettrick Forest In November and the “dark melodic ballad” (almost used the word “doomy” here, that’s just silly) in The Spellbound Knight.

I admit the vocals are monotonous at times but the whole album is pretty much listenable. In my scrutiny to find Cnoc An Tursa’s design for song writing, I’ve found that the recipe is not complex, yet effective and is easily implemented - as the songs are simple and easy to understand. But perhaps the album deserves your attention, exclusively. Cnoc An Tursa does have more than a thing or two to offer. Track 8: Winter – A Dirge was essentially a sure bet for me.

---