Band info
Band: HIRAETH
Single: ‘Hiraeth‘
Genre: atmospheric black metal
Release May 31st, 2025
Location: Wales
Review
Today, we are honoured to present HIRAETH‘s debut single, “Hiraeth“. Coming from Cymru (Wales), the band explores Welsh history, mythology, and culture, as well as the struggle for Welsh independence over the centuries, and the devastating impact that colonialism leaves behind, all within a single song. With the meaning of “Hiraeth” to be ‘homesickness tinged with grief and sadness over the lost or departed, especially in the context of Wales and Welsh culture‘, this makes the song all the more hard-hitting, particularly with sections of the song in Welsh.
The stain of English colonialism on Wales is something that has historically been overlooked (and ignored), with many unaware of the history behind it. People of a certain age may remember a certain sketch from the children’s show Horrible Histories about the ‘Welsh not’ – a (usually physical) punishment handed down in schools for those who dared to speak Welsh – and for many of us, it was our introduction into the history of Welsh culture and the violent eradication of it.
With this history in mind, the bilingual approach feels even more poignant, and we couldn’t agree more with the band’s words that Welsh becomes the language of resistance. The instrumental sections add to the atmosphere of loss and grief well too, yet some sections feel more upbeat, adding to the overall message of defiance and persistence.
Even though their offering may be brief at the moment, it is certainly one that leaves an impact, and we can’t wait to see what else HIRAETH have to offer in the future!
Other links and platforms:
BC: https://hiraethbm.bandcamp.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/hiraeth_bm
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/HIRAETH_BM