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 metallic 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 through Fiadh Productions and may be preordered on the hyperlink within the Bandcamp participant under.
“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 non secular decay.
“Dian”
“Dian”—which means “robust” or “intense” in Irish—sustains the album’s ferocity, mixing uncooked black metallic with haunting melodic undertones. The observe balances brutality with eerie concord, reflecting the persistent battle 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 loss of life metallic pioneers At The Gates, it additionally employs a chord motif fashionable in Irish metallic, notably by Useless Label. This track marks Horrenda’s first official music video, which follows The Morrigan—the Celtic goddess of warfare and destiny—as she pursues and possesses lead singer Arron “Nomad” O’Shaughnessy.
“Díoltas”
The title observe, “Díoltas”, presents 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 contemporary dynamic to the album. Craven’s aesthetic—steeped within the occult, 80s horror, and decaying latex—melds with Horrenda’s black metallic roots to create a singular hybrid. The result’s unorthodox but charming, reflecting each acts’ distinct but appropriate energies.
“Doom Tranquility”
“Doom Tranquility” juxtaposes notions of serenity with unrelenting aggression. A staple of the band’s dwell reveals, this observe explores the paradox of discovering internal peace amid chaos. The blistering riffs and thunderous drums replicate a battle for readability and power 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 Gasoline”
Because the album’s lead single, “Nerve Gasoline” engulfs the listener in a suffocating soundscape that mirrors the horrors of chemical warfare throughout World Conflict I. One in every of Horrenda’s most potent anti-war statements, the observe critiques the dehumanizing equipment of contemporary battle, emphasizing the struggling inflicted upon the numerous for the pursuits of the few.
The relentless instrumentation—marked by pummeling drums and claustrophobic guitar layers—captures the panic and disorientation of gasoline assaults on the battlefield. Notably, the primary 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 an extra layer of historical past and evolution to the observe. The accompanying music video amplifies the track’s bleak themes with stark, haunting visuals.
“Primordial Understanding”
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 metallic. It’s an introspective, virtually non secular 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 battle. The Sluagh are stated to be the stressed spirits of the useless—souls denied peace, wandering the skies searching for the dwelling to hold away. Horrenda channels this chilling legend to additional the album’s overarching themes of vengeance, unrest, private battle 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 crucial emotionally resonant entries within the Díoltas narrative.
