Really, I have nothing against instrumentals, after all “1776“ (ICED EARTH), “Siberian Winter“ (RUNNING WILD), “Orion“ (METALLICA), “The Day At Guyana“ (AGENT STEEL) and “Funeral“ (ICED EARTH) are awesome instrumental songs. But this doesn’t mean that I need from just one band, an entire album, 9 tracks, 44 minutes of music without vocals.

But it exists! The newcomers SIROCCO from Ireland proofs that on their album “Nemed: An Triu Creathan”. But I ask myself one thing and that is, why are there lyrics printed in the booklet for „Abyss“, „An Triu Creathan“, „Sacrostine“, „Christian Cry“ and „As We Sing“ (Especially this one misses the logic!), when J. Tobin (g, v) doesn’t open his mouth!? Can’t the good man sing or is this a false pressing?

With the music there’s not much to yell about. The sound of the quartet is some kind of Celtic Metal. Sounds stupid, but that’s how the band describes their style and you’ll understand that when you’ve listened to “Nemed: An Triu Creathan”. I’d say you can compare SIROCCO (If they’re fans of the legendary German sports coupe Scirocco built by VW?) musically best with MITHOTYN and other Viking Metal bands. Without a singer there’s less reference.

But the record does have potential, the melodic “An Triu Creathan”, the thrasher “Sacrostine” and the epic “Eblana (The Reproach)” are really great pieces on “Nemed: An Triu Creathan”. Now, the boys should start and sing their apparently existing lyrics for their songs. (Online June 11, 2006)