(3 / 5)
Celtic trio Chasing Abbey are set to release their debut album “Cyber Celt” on the 18th September via their independent label Culchie Kid Records. Originally from Tullamore in the heart of Ireland, the band formed in 2016 and is made up of multi-instrumentalists, producers and vocalists Ronan Bell, Jonathan Byrne and Ted Conway.
They blend traditional celtic instruments with modern electronic production to create genre-blending music that stays true to their roots. The band also include the Gaeilge language in the lyrics, taking inspiration from their peers including Kneecap, Lankum and The Mary Wallopers.
“Kneecap reignited the flame, in a way,” sys Ted Conway. “We feel it’s our responsibility to use that to progress our culture and tradition in the same way we’ve been doing it through our music, and it’s often easier for us to express that in our native language.”
Cyber Celt is their first full length album in a 10-year-career, but the band has built up a loyal fanbase with their earlier single and EP releases, which were more dance floor fillers than political rally cries. This new body of work may come as a surprise to some listeners.
The 11 tracks are written and produced by the band, with politically-charged lyrics that reflect on the current global state, but also pay homage to their ancestry.
Musically, the banjos and percussion come to the forefront. The beats are dark and hypnotic, if a little samey. The Gaeilge lyrics add real weight and drama, all delivered deftly. The vocals are quite monotone ,but this does seem to be a creative choice to drive home the message of each song, almost a war cry.
The track “Greedy Pigs” took inspiration from Ted’s experience working as a butcher with his uncles and grandfather. “I noticed there was always one pig that bullied the rest and ate all the food. His greed could not be satisfied. I see a lot of parallels in today’s world – greed for the sake of it, greed that cannot be satisfied or quenched and the song draws on those observations,” Ted explains.
Although this album may be polarising to fans who have been around since the beginning, this music is sure to deliver live. The dark energy and chanting choruses are ready to be shouted back, in solidarity with eager fans.
By Fran Parry
(1 / 5) ‘Dull Zone’
(2 / 5) ‘OK Zone’
(3 / 5) ‘Decent Zone’
(4 / 5) ‘Super Zone’
(5 / 5) ‘Awesome Zone’
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