Hand Of Kalliach is a folk metal band from Scotland that formed in 2020. “Corryvreckan,” is their second full length album; they have also released two EPs.
According to their Facebook page, they are labeled as atmospheric Celtic melodic death metal…and I would say that is a pretty dead on description of their sound. The album is absolutely dripping in atmosphere. But it also has a very dense, solid sound that is built around riffs and growls. Combining their death metal side with their folk tendencies results in “Corryvreckan” being a rather heavy release but one that has a cinematic, adventurous sound.
This album is definitely heavier than a lot of folk metal but diverse and dynamic enough to capture the attention of even those who may scoff at the idea of the genre being this intense.
The production of the album is spot on and very near perfect for what I’m looking for in this style of metal. The guitars and bass have a very rich, solid tone and it is captured perfectly. The folk, and especially the more ethereal parts, courtesy of Sophia, stand out against the rough grain of the metal just fine and have no problems being heard.
What I appreciate the most about the album is how melancholic, dark and serious it is. A lot of folk metal bands spend time talking about beer and have too many goofy or overly melodic moments. “Corryvreckan” is melodic when it needs to be, it is folky, but it’s just as opposite of that when it needs to be as well.
The lyrics/subject matter center around a witch named Cailleach (hence the band’s name), who is an ancient god of winter in Scottish Celtic mythology. She lives at the bottom of the Corryvreckan (hence the album title), a whirlpool.
There is more to the legend that I won’t spoil for you but I found the subject matter to be very interesting and the witch, which is thought of as both malevolent and benevolent, is reflected in the music very well. This album can be gentle as a stream or as dangerous as a, well, whirlpool.
The album opens with “Three Seas,” a song that brings about a stormy atmosphere with the gentle undertones of Sophia’s amazing voice. The song has a steady build up, the rumbling of that storm as it moves inward. By the 2:15 mark it is a full blown hurricane, complete with John’s thunderous death growls. Both he and Sophia showcase excellent vocal abilities in their styles. Sophia’s bass guides the songs well, her playing fitting into the album’s much needed variety of styles and moods. John plays the other instruments—this husband and wife duo really know their craft.
The later half of the song has a lot going on: keys, riffs, growls, and pounding drums but it never sounds messy or convoluted. This can be applied to the album as a whole, it always unfurls in a very organic and organized fashion despite all the different elements required to make it work.
“Dìoghaltas,” begins in a much more vicious way, with John going straight for the throat with both his vocals and his instruments. Sophia’s own bass is massive, providing an insanely strong rhythm while still adding so much to the atmosphere. Her vocals arrive moments later—haunting, evoking the arcane and the mysterious.
Folk infused metal doesn’t always need long buildups or stretched out structures, as evident by “Deathless,” which hits as hard as anything I’ve heard this year. I love Sophia’s vocals riding on top of the ridiculously heavy riffs….it just works and it works well. I love the riffs after the 2:04 mark and just how intense the song gets. The atmosphere grows very dense before giving a brief respite….only to return to a true banger of an ending.
“Unbroken You Remain” is one of the best songs on the album and really represents what this album is all about. The beauty and beast that is nature and its guardians is reflected within this song which goes from cut throating to beautiful and back again in just over four minutes.
The final song is “Of Twilight and the Pyre” and it is perhaps my favorite. The clean intro is gorgeous and Sophia’s voice sounds so far away, like some sort of ghostly being just beyond a veil. The keys are imaginative and sent me to a place far away yet somewhat familiar. When John joins the fray, the two distinct moods join as one force. Both get ample breathing room, creating a song that is as deep as the ocean.
Hand Of Kalliach’s “Corryvreckan” is quite a surprise to help begin the year of 2024. It has been a long time since I cared about most folk metal but this album has definitely rekindled my love for it. No matter what subgenre you call it, “Corryvreckan” is one badass slice of metal and a definitely highlight for the month of January.
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