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Report: First-Ever Gaelic-Speaking Heavy Metal Band To See Light Of Day

January 5, 2004

Murdo MacLeod of Scotsman.com is reporting that two Gaelic-speaking metalheads are organizing the first ever Gaelic-speaking heavy metal band, which will play a mixture of their own compositions and top metal hits, translated into Scotland's oldest living language.

ARMACHDAN LÈIR-SGRIOSAIL (Weapons of Mass Destruction),headed by Alasdair MacCaluim from East Kilbride, are working on composing Gaelic metal songs and translating a number of rock classics, including "Metal Gods" (Diathan Iarunn) by JUDAS PRIEST and "Die Die Darling" (Faigh Bàs, Bàs, Bàs a Leannan) by METALLICA.

MacCaluim said: "We have a name, we have a logo and we are tuning up our musical skills to get this off the ground. We reckon the time is right for us and we believe that Gaelic needs to feel some heavy rock."

No date has been set for a first gig, which is expected to take place within the next year.

Colin Somerville, Scotland on Sunday's music critic, said: "By singing in Gaelic they are limiting their market somewhat and I am not sure how Gaelic words will gel with the whole heavy rock sound. A bit of heavy metal will certainly liven up the Mod."

He added: "The name is good, the reference to weapons has that metalness about it, and it has political and rebellious overtones."

MacCaluim, who keeps snakes at home, added: "There is a huge heavy rock scene in the Gaelic communities, but until now they have sung in English. We want to show that Gaelic music is not just confined to singing about the past and to being about cozy melodies."

The number of Gaelic speakers has declined to fewer than 60,000 and the language has been seen as struggling to bring its vocabulary up to date, having to borrow words for the likes of television, computer and helicopter.

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