Good lord, what a not-at-all-intimidating bunch these guys are. Either way, hey! It’s Thursday, and that means it’s time for another #tbt. With St. Patrick’s Day coming up next Tuesday, I was feeling like celebrating with a throwback to something Celtic-flavored. And really, there’s no better way—no more lolarious way—to do so than Cruachan.

In case you’re not familiar, (and why would you be?) Cruachan’s back story is kind of hilarious. The band formed in Dublin in the early ’90s, out of the ashes of founding guitarist/vocalist Keith Fay’s Tolkien-themed black metal band, Minas Tirith. (Yes, you read all that correctly.) After their debut album Tuatha na Gael attracted attention from none other than Century Media Records, the band promptly freaked out over the label’s proposed contract terms and, instead of signing, broke up for two years. Bold strategy, Cotton!

The band reformed in 1999, with a new female vocalist, Karen Gilligan. Since then, they’ve released six further studio albums, including 2006’s The Morrigan’s Call, which featured some of the most hilariously un-sexy cover art I’ve ever seen. (Coincidentally [?], the band left their then-label, Karmageddon Media, following the album’s release.)

So let’s get into the actual Throwback Thursday tune, shall we? “Michael Collins” kicks off Cruachan’s 2004 album, Pagan, and good lord, what a ridiculous tune. After some (admittedly) pretty awesome Celtic-flavored melodies kick things off, Gilligan launches in on vocals with what surely has to be one of the best Geddy Lee imitations I’ve ever heard. Then, inexplicably, at around 2:50, the song turns into…a thrash tune? Huh? For literally no apparent reason at all, Fay jumps in and decides he wants to try an …And Justice For All-era Metallica kind of thing. Oooooookay then.

Perhaps it’s better that we don’t completely understand “Michael Collins.” I won’t try to any further, as I’d like to continue appreciating it for the cheesy bit of hilarity that it is. So instead, I’ll just let you listen to it:

That’ll do it for this week’s edition of Throwback Thursday. Check back later on for more!

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Keep it heavy,

-Dan

Live. Love. Plow. Horns Up.