Druids and Bards by Holy Coves: Album Review

by Damien Reid November 15, 2022

November 15, 2022

Holy Island-based project Holy Coves is back to treat us with their album Druids and Bards, finally released this October. The album piqued my interest in learning more about what went down into the making of it, and it’s amazing to learn how a number of people, with individual talents of their own, came together to make this into a success.

The project dropped 9 distinctive tracks, one after another, namely “Away We Go”, “Desert Storm”, “Small and Nothing”, “Grey”, “Another Day”, “The Hurt Within”, “Welcome to the Real World”, “Until I Fall” and “Taste The Wine”. For the most part, this is heavily British rock derivative with the traditional indie vibe peeking through. Scott Marsden, the heart and soul behind the project, took his troubles with life and the loss of a best friend to involve more people to give us a brilliant record of “Druids and Bards”. The result is full of incredibly powerful and excellent guitar work ranging between jangly and psychedelic, heart-thumping bass and stomping drums, along with luscious industrial synth waves that gave each song its definition. The songs on the album explore a variety of subjects, including love, relationships, difficulties with addiction, and the pursuit of happiness in a world that is sometimes unpleasant and tough.

“Druids And Bards” is one of a kind experience! There’s something cinematic, fatally breathtaking, and overall gorgeous about it as a whole. You should give it a tour of your own to experience the emotions behind the bitter-sweetness of the lyrics and melodies in combination.