Scottish metallers Cnoc An Tursa have returned with their third full-length album, “A Cry For The Slain”. After diving into their new record and preparing the review for Metal Revolt, I had the great honor of speaking with Reni McDonald Hill about the band’s return, the creative process behind the album,Scottish legends and what lies ahead for Cnoc An Tursa. Enjoy!
Hails and thank you for taking the time to speak with Metal Revolt! How are you?
We are doing great thanks, keeping ourselves very busy putting the finishing touches on our final rehearsals for our first performance in almost nine years at ‘’A Weekend of Darkness’’ in Fell Foot Wood, Cumbria.
After several years of silence, Cnoc An Tursa return with “A Cry For The Slain”. How does it feel to finally release your third full-length album?
It feels like a huge relief to have finally recorded and produced a full album independently. After putting in a great deal of effort and working through a steep learning curve, we’ve achieved the sound we always had in mind—and we intend to carry this approach forward into our future projects.
You are not afraid to bring epic and melodic elements into your music, while still keeping the black metal spirit alive. Can you tell us more about the creative process within the band? How do you usually compose your songs?
Typically, we begin our songs with guitar, layer in synths, and finalize the vocals last, creating rough demos that we refine over several weeks or months based on the desired vibe and atmosphere, sometimes adding or removing elements as needed.
I stepped away from the computer this time round and focused on more natural music creation, whether it was jamming on my guitar in my garden and recording riffs quickly on my phone, or drawing inspiration from watching horror movies…. staring at Cubase just doesn’t spark creativity for me these days lol
What is your favourite part from “A Cry For The Slain”?
The outro, “The Nine Maidens of Dundee,” is one of the finest piano pieces I’ve ever composed and serves as a perfect conclusion to the album, I’m also really pleased with the fantastic contributions from female vocalist Katie Wills on several tracks—something we’re keen to explore even further in future releases.
How would you personally describe the sound of Cnoc An Tursa to someone who has never listened to the band before?
That’s a tough question since every album and song feels distinct, we don’t adhere to a strict writing style or rules; we simply express whatever flows naturally at that moment. Reflecting our organic writing process, though if I had to describe it, I’d say it’s a blend of Pagan Black Metal meets the Scottish rock band Big Country.
Your music is deeply connected to Scottish folklore, myths and history. How do you choose which myths or legends will become songs?
As a distant relation to Clan MacDonald, the story of the Caoineag and the Massacre of Glencoe has always held deep personal significance, and it felt natural to draw inspiration from it for a song.
I used to camp in Glencoe during my teenage years, and knowing its history—and my own connection to it—always made the experience feel especially eerie.
In our hometown of Falkirk, the ‘’Kelpie’’s are commemorated through two striking 100-foot-tall sculptures. A kelpie, rooted in Scottish folklore, is a mythical shape-shifting water spirit, often depicted as a horse that inhabits rivers and lochs. These sculptures reflect that legend while also serving as a tribute to Scotland’s industrial heritage, where horses once played a vital role in transporting goods along canals and supporting agricultural work—particularly fitting given their location beside the Forth & Clyde Canal.
As an avid hill walker in the Cairngorms, it also made perfect sense to cover a song inspired by ‘’Am Fear Liath Mòr’’. It’s a presence that always comes to mind when I’m out walking in that region—especially in misty conditions, where the atmosphere can quickly become very unsettling.
I’ve always had a passion for old Hammer horror/vampire films, so discovering that Scotland has its own vampire legend—the Baobhan Sith—naturally inspired me to explore that theme as well.
How important are myths and Scottish history in your personal lives, beyond the music itself?
Myths and Scottish history are extremely important to us, not just as a source of musical inspiration but as a core part of who we are. They connect us to our heritage, our identity, and the landscapes we come from. Scotland’s history is rich with stories of struggle, resilience, and culture, and those themes resonate deeply on a personal level within the band.
For listeners outside Scotland, some of these names and stories may be completely new. Do you enjoy the idea that your music can also become a gateway for people to discover Scottish folklore and culture?
Absolutely—we really value that aspect of what we do. The idea that our music can act as a gateway for listeners outside Scotland to discover its folklore, history, and culture is something we genuinely enjoy and take pride in.
A lot of these stories, whether they’re rooted in myth, legend, or real historical events, aren’t widely known beyond Scotland. If our music sparks someone’s curiosity to look deeper into those themes, then that’s incredibly rewarding for us. It means the music is doing more than just being heard—it’s helping to share and preserve a cultural identity.
Looking back at the long road of Cnoc An Tursa, what does this new chapter mean for the band?
This new chapter feels like a real turning point for us. We’ve put a lot of time and effort into refining our sound and reaching a place where we’re truly happy with what we’re creating, and now it feels like the right moment to take that out into the world. More than anything, this phase is about getting back on stage and playing as many live shows as we can. That’s always been a huge part of who we are as a band—connecting with people directly, bringing the songs to life, and sharing that energy in a live setting.
Thank you so much for your time! Send a message to our readers!
Cheers mate!
Reni McDonald Hill
A huge thanks to Reni McDonald Hill and all the band, Cnoc An Tursa for honoring us with this interview! “A Cry For The Slain” is out now through Apocalyptic Witchcraft Recordings and is highly recommended for everyone!
