London, UK based Folk Doom Metal act Cruel Mother has just unveiled the official music video for their rendition of a traditional English and Scottish Folk song “John Barleycorn taken from their debut EP, “Cut Down For The Earth,” out on April 12th, 2024. Watch the video through the YouTube player below:
About “John Barleycorn“:
“‘John Barleycorn’ [Roud 164], a traditional English and Scottish folk song, tells of the brutal treatment and murder of its namesake; the personification of barley used to make ale and whisky. Each stage of Barleycorn’s life and death – being sown and reaped, roasted in the kiln, crushed between millstones, thrown in the mashing tun – corresponds to stages of the brewing process.
The story has travelled through many creative hands, from poet Robert Burns to novelist Jack London to comedy anthology show Inside No. 9, and remains popular among folk revival artists and pub landlords alike. Different versions portray Barleycorn as variously vengeful, intoxicating (much to his killers’ misfortune) or heroic, whose potency brings happiness and joy to his drinkers by causing them to forget their woes.
The personification invokes the sinister, ritualistic aspect of legendary British folk rituals (the popularly-recognisable ‘wicker man’), but can be interpreted as a joyful drinking song to be sung in the ale house, celebrating the death-and-rebirth cycle of the harvest. Cruel Mother version infuses the folk tale with their signature doom riffs and driving drums to evoke the bouncing rhythm of classic drinking anthems.
Although a metaphor rather than strictly a murder ballad, John Barleycorn is one of composer Becky’s favourite folk ballads as it can be adapted and interpreted in many different ways. With its harvest cycle imagery suggestive of ancient rituals, it’s simultaneously fun, joyful, satirical, mysterious, sinister and disturbing. And of course it relates to one of the band’s shared pastimes – drinking beer! – and we all love a good drinking song!”
Cruel Mother take their lyrical inspiration from printed broadsides and tradition Folk Music, particularly the rich tradition of English murder ballads.
“Cut Down For The Earth” is comprised of six tracks inspired by songs contained in The Roud Folk Song Index, infused with the band’s signature combination of Heavy riffs, crunchy grooves and the melancholic lament of the fiddle.
This follows a great international reception to their first two singles, “John Barleycorn” and “My Name Is Death,” and incredible crowds at their debut performance at Maryland Metalfest III hosted by Retribution Alive earlier this year.
About Cruel Mother:
Cruel Mother was first conceived in 2022 and has existed in its current form since spring 2023.
Over the past year, they’ve refined their soundto create a doom concept band unlike any other. They combine a playful approach to making music with a solemn respect for the real history and human lives at the heart of the ballads they revive.
Cruel Mother is made up of Becky (bass, vocals and main composer), James (guitar and vocals), Kirstie (guitar), David (violin) and Dan (drums). The five musicians bring an unusual and interesting mix of talent to the melting pot, with a wealth of combined experience spanning Classical, Metal, Punk and Ska music.
Blending English Folk with stoner doom, this project is most influenced by Skyclad, Green Lung and 70s English Folk like Steeleye Span, Fairport Convention, Pentangle (and, of course, Black Sabbath – they are still a Doom band).
Purchase and Stream the EP here: https://artists.landr.com/cutdown_promo
Purchase the EP on Bandcamp: https://cruelmother.bandcamp.com/album/cut-down-for-the-earth-2
Tracklist:
01. My Name Is Death
02. The Red Barn
03. John Barleycorn
04. Down The Greenwood Side
05. Will O’ The Wisp
06. Oranges And Lemons
Lineup:
Becky Loughead / Vocals, Bass
James Chester / Vocals, Guitars
Kirstie Summers / Guitars
David Garner / Violin
Daniel Speight / Drums
