Cernunnos is an 11-track album that centers on a composition inspired by an ancient Druid deity. Representing the darker aspects of Nature, Cernunnos is the Guardian of the Gateway to the Underworld and the Lord of the Hunt. In lore, he is said to rule over the calendar of the Celts from November until May, representing the end of Summer and the harvest, and the transition into the dark half of the calendar. This epic piece is essentially a tone-poem in five parts, depicting various aspects of his existence.
The album also features tracks that further display the diversity of this band. Port Fairy Suite takes listeners on a journey through 4 different musical styles, changing tempos and time signatures multiple times along the way, and features a mandolin that at one point sounds more like a hammer dulcimer. Knot Free explores the band’s experimentation with time, which meshes a clever 5/4 hornpipe with a tune in 7/16 time, led by 2 different bagpipe harmony lines. An Inquisitive Kangaroo has a Metanoia presents a couple of modern jigs that include intricate bagpipe harmonies and play around with musical phrasing.
While the bands’ foundation is rooted in tradition, they explore alternative methods of presenting old musical styles in new ways. Salute to the Cathedral Trees is a modern piobaireachd, an ancient form of bagpipe music, presented with beautiful accompaniment that supports the tonal structure of the piece. A growing percussive base drives the second part of this piece that is traditionally performed only as a solo bagpipe.
Lucid Druid is a grassroots act based in Florida. The music on this album was composed by piper, Adam Quinn, and arranged by Lucid Druid, except for Death of a Space Piper, which is a twisted cover of the classic track by Rare Air, composed by Grier Coppins. This album was recorded live in a domed church with wooden ceilings and floors that really helped capture the fullness of sound across the band. The general ambiance of this album is quite energetic, but passes through a vast myriad of musical motifs. As always, Lucid Druid takes the listener on an interesting, beautiful and unpredictable journey through sound…
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