Ireland's Cruachan have held the torch for Pagan/Celtic Metal since 1992 and have certainly had their ups and downs as a band. Today's offering, the 2001 single Ride On, is a definite UP. The featured song is a cover of the beloved Christy More/Jimmy McCarthy classic and features guest vocals by a certain gentleman by the name of Shane MacGowan. You may have heard of him. Mr. MacGowan also co-produced the album Folk-Lore, from which this single is derived. Cruachan has always been a band I've wanted to have greater affinity for, they've had a series of label and production problems through the years, but I always feel that sooner or later they will create a monumental Celtic Metal album. Even if my faith is misplaced, they have created something special here.
