There’s another massive release day on the horizon and today I’m excited to preview one such album and artist for you all. The second LP from Irish death and black metal project Coscradh is out tomorrow through 20 Buck Spin, titled Carving The Causeway To The Otherworld. Packed with heritage and history, this ruthless collection offers intrigue at every corner. You’ll hear a wide range of stylistic influences throughout, and combining that with the conceptual nature of this album results in something that’s easy to get lost in. For now, to help us familiarize a little more before it’s official release, Ciarán Ó Críodáin (guitars, vocals, lyrics) stepped in to respond to our Profile questions. Give the below a read and hit that Bandcamp embed for a preview, or check out the full album stream through 20 Buck Spin here. Enjoy!

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How and when did you first get into playing music, or metal more specifically, and how did your band get its start?

Personally? It was Slayer that did it.

Bandwise, we started in 2014 with a vision of creating something horrid in the vein of the more hideous bands of the black and death genres. Originally we sounded very primitive, with a more recent upgrade in musicianship and writing, but I believe we still abide by the same ethos.

How would you describe your band and what you play to someone who is completely in the dark?

Black/Death Metal, which pulls from many other genres at times, and goes hand in hand with the Gaelic/Celtic historic and mythologically themed lyrics.

Is there one (or more) thing about your latest / upcoming album or about your band that no one will find in any interview or review that you care to divulge?

There was an overall vision when it came to this album, but when it came to writing there was no singular formula to composition. Every song was written completely differently, eg, prepared in advance, jammed out, written firstly with drums/guitar, or with both guitars. This might have partially lended to the end result.

Any funny stories from playing shows / tours / festivals, etc?

Apocalyptic three-day festival, Old Grave Romania was chaos! A large venue, packed to the gills with a young and enthusiastic crowd of foaming lunatics who lost their minds waiting for every band. Palinka shots being forced on you at every corner. Half of the band ended up falling down into a gully at one with the remainder in total ruins lost in the city in the freezing winter… Untold damage done, but we managed to perform either way, and hope to return again someday.

What do you see as some of the great things happening in and around the metal scene (yours or just in general) and what are some of the worst things happening right now?

The best: All of the bands in the Irish underground scene are all doing their own thing, with very little overlap in terms of sound. Omnicidal Vow, Morbid Romance, Divil in a Tower, Cutthroat, Callous Master, Incessant, Hasturian Vigil, Verminous Serpent, Ancient Malice, Sacrilegia, Zealot Cult, Dread Sovereign, Unyielding Love, Vircolac, Slidhr, Malthusian, and of course the elder statesmen Mourning Beloveth and Primordial… and worst: A huge amount of overlap in band members. We don’t have enough musicians in the scene for these bands to survive without a lot of inter-dependency.

Most folks have passions for a cause or causes that are close to them. What, if any, are some of the most important issues (social/political/humorous/etc.) for you / your band and how do you insert those issues into your music?

In the past few years in Ireland there has been a revival of our national language under way, especially with younger generations, we are obviously 100% on board with this and try to be a part of it even if in a small obscure way.

Do you have day jobs or hobbies you want to share?

Hiking in the wilderness and visiting historical locations of battle, ritual and ancient spiritual sites, collecting lost tales and folklore in the process.

Any specific long term goal(s) in mind?

As we always try to do, we aim to keep the show on the road, while we continue writing.

When you’re not obsessing over your own material, what are some of your favorite albums to listen to currently?

Recently (or always) spinning: Pherenelith, Katharsis, Concrete Winds, Primordial, Stocktons Wing, Rory Gallagher, Qruxqour, Varathron, Macabre Omen, Hasturian Vigil, Corpus Offal, Civerous, Angelcorpse, Absu, Swallowed

What is the near future outlook for you or your band? Any specific events on the horizon that the masses should be aware of?

TBA in time, but we’ll be touring this year and the next!

Summarize your band in one word.

Abominable.

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Many thanks to Ciarán Ó Críodáin and Coscradh for the time!

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Carving The Causeway To The Otherworld is out on February 20th through 20 Buck Spin. For more information on Coscradh, head over to their website.