To mark the primary launch on vinyl of Irish black metalers Horrenda‘s second full size, Díoltas, we’re streaming in full this blistering experimental black steel assault, and letting the band take us by way of a track-by-track dialogue of the reissue. Initially launched independently on cassette and CD in 2020, this freshly remastered vinyl model finds the sextet—Darragh “Outis” O’Connor (guitars/backing vocals), Arron “Nomad” O’Shaughnessy (lead vocals), Keith “Donn” Smith (bass), Mark “Morrdok” O’Brien (guitars), Cormac “Desolatus” Jordan (guitars), Matthew “Dearg” McKenna (drums)—in filthy type throughout all ten tracks. The vinyl launch arrives on Might 30 by way of Fiadh Productions and may be preordered on the hyperlink within the Bandcamp participant beneath.
“Balor”
The album opens with “Balor,” named after the Irish mythological large and god of destruction. This observe units a foreboding tone with aggressive guitar riffs and relentless drumming. Lyrically, it evokes destruction and malevolence, utilizing Balor’s fury as a metaphor for purging trendy Eire of its corruption and religious decay.
“Dian”
“Dian”—that means “robust” or “intense” in Irish—sustains the album’s ferocity, mixing uncooked black steel with haunting melodic undertones. The observe balances brutality with eerie concord, reflecting the persistent wrestle on the coronary heart of its lyrical themes.
Dian Cécht was a god of therapeutic, particularly the doctor of the Tuatha Dé Danan, the center break part is a few reflection on how Eire can heal itself by returning to its previous.
“AxeWound”
A brief, visceral burst, “AxeWound” delivers sharp, unyielding instrumentation that evokes violence and betrayal. Influenced by Swedish melodic demise steel pioneers At The Gates, it additionally employs a chord motif well-liked in Irish steel, notably by Useless Label. This tune marks Horrenda’s first official music video, which follows The Morrigan—the Celtic goddess of conflict and destiny—as she pursues and possesses lead singer Arron “Nomad” O’Shaughnessy.
“Díoltas”
The title observe, “Díoltas”, provides an expansive, multi-tempo journey by way of vengeance, chaos, and resurrection. With its dynamic shifts in temper and construction, it evokes a descent into the Irish underworld and a symbolic return. This is without doubt one of the album’s most bold and atmospheric items.
“Craven X Horrenda”
This collaboration with Craven, a one-man Irish darksynth-industrial act, provides a recent dynamic to the album. Craven’s aesthetic—steeped within the occult, 80s horror, and decaying latex—melds with Horrenda’s black steel roots to create a singular hybrid. The result’s unorthodox but fascinating, reflecting each acts’ distinct but suitable energies.
“Doom Tranquility”
“Doom Tranquility” juxtaposes notions of serenity with unrelenting aggression. A staple of the band’s reside reveals, this observe explores the paradox of discovering interior peace amid chaos. The blistering riffs and thunderous drums mirror a wrestle for readability and energy by way of turmoil, making it a defining second on the album.
“Shot at Daybreak”
This observe confronts the execution and betrayal of the 1916 Easter Rising leaders. Quick-paced and emotionally charged, it channels the injustice and ache of these occasions by way of biting guitar work and forceful rhythms. A strong tribute, “Shot at Daybreak” stands out for its historic weight and emotional resonance.
“Nerve Fuel”
Because the album’s lead single, “Nerve Fuel” engulfs the listener in a suffocating soundscape that mirrors the horrors of chemical warfare throughout World Battle I. Certainly one of Horrenda’s most potent anti-war statements, the observe critiques the dehumanizing equipment of contemporary battle, emphasizing the struggling inflicted upon the various for the pursuits of the few.
The relentless instrumentation—marked by pummeling drums and claustrophobic guitar layers—captures the panic and disorientation of fuel assaults on the battlefield. Notably, the principle riff originated from lead guitarist Darragh O’Connor’s first band, Valcata, and was featured on their re-released 2025 demo from “Nightmares and Guarantees”. This connection provides a further layer of historical past and evolution to the observe. The accompanying music video amplifies the tune’s bleak themes with stark, haunting visuals.
“Primordial Realizing”
This observe delves into historic Irish knowledge, suggesting a deep-rooted data fading within the face of modernity. Atmospheric and experimental, it stretches the band’s sonic boundaries whereas remaining grounded in black steel. It’s an introspective, virtually religious second that connects Eire’s mythic previous to its conflicted current.
“Sluagh”
A standout observe for each the band and followers alike, “Sluagh” faucets into one of many darkest corners of Irish mythology as metaphor for inner strife and wrestle. The Sluagh are stated to be the stressed spirits of the lifeless—souls denied peace, wandering the skies in quest of the residing to hold away. Horrenda channels this chilling legend to additional the album’s overarching themes of vengeance, unrest, private wrestle and the enduring weight of ancestral reminiscence.
Musically, the observe embodies a brooding, otherworldly environment, mixing haunting melodies with punishing riffs to evoke a way of creeping dread. Its layered composition and mythological inspiration make it one of the vital emotionally resonant entries within the Díoltas narrative.
