Tuatha De Danann

Source: Dave LaMay By Dave LaMay

THIS BAND IS AMAZING!!!!! An outstanding year of metal has just managed to get even better, thanks to the magnificent traditionally-based folk/baroque metallers Tuatha De Danann. How these 5 Brazilians managed to capture such an electrifying "ye old forest" type of European magic is beyond me, but they have and that's all that matters. "Tingaralatingadun" (whew!) is a beautifully rich and elegant slab of classic metal, and now I'll (try to) tell you why.

Tuatha De Danann has distinguished themselves from their peers by being the heaviest and darkest of metal folksters, but no less melodic and enchanting. Whereas most of their ilk draw upon the more modern, happier power metal, TDDs' roots, much like The Lord Weird Slough Feg, are in the underground 80's movement. The riffing is abnormally thick and powerful, wonderfully juxtaposed by strong lead and harmony guitarwork that will root itself in your head almost effortlessly. The rhythm section has that old-school fatness combined with latter-day skill, delivered with preciseness and loads of punch. Vocalist Bruno Maia is incredible, gifted with a deep (but no too), rich, soul-stirring voice that mesmerizes from the onset.

TDD's approach to their baroque elements is also substantially different from their brethren. Control is the key here. Rather than just simply settling for being "happy" sounding, the band instead perfectly captures a true early-70's "mystical" feel to their acoustic guitar, mandolin, and flute work, much like early Jethro Tull, Krokodil, Uriah Heep, and so on. The result is lilting, darkly beautiful segments (i.e.- "Some Tunes To Fly"- which also includes gorgeous female vocals) that are still very memorable, and thoroughly convincing. The keyboards are very tastefully and judiciously used always, and only, as a mood setter, instead of roaring to front to establish the melodies. Flutes are employed with careful choice and restraint as well, but when they do occasionally appear- What a luxurious joy for the ears and heart!! Why, even the odd bits of chorus have real strength to them, TOTALLY avoiding the Blind Guardian/Rhapsody cheery, bombastic trappings.

Doing reviews of mind-blowing bands and material such as this always pisses me off, because I know the metal masses will continue to stick to their preconceived notions and listen to the unadventurous crap that abounds. Though I've tried, I know that I have not been able to fully convey what high regards I hold for Tuatha De Danann and their latest musical genius. They make my job even harder with all their wonderful contradictions. Though their costumes, artwork and song titles give the appearance of things that have come before, nothing could be further from the truth. Their unprecedented heaviness for the genre, coupled with such a genuine and completely NON-pompous "real" approach to baroque and folk makes "Tingaralatingadum" an all-time metal masterpiece, no matter how unknown the band and their music remain. Please- Somebody, anybody, give this a band a chance, cuz' this is easily the best CD of 2002 I've heard thus far.