Northern Irish Pagan/Celtic Metal pioneers WAYLANDER return with their new single “Mallachtaí”, out on October 21st, 2026 via Rockshots Records. Accompanied by an official lyric video, the track offers another glimpse into the band's forthcoming sixth studio album, “Mac Tíre - Son of the Land”, scheduled for release on November 6th, 2026.
“Mallachtaí” explores the formidable power of satire within ancient Ireland's Bardic tradition when words could serve as potent weapons capable of shaping reputations and influencing society. The song draws attention to the authority once held by bards and druids, revealing a fascinating dimension of Ireland's cultural past.
As the band explains:
“Mallachtaí deals with the power of satire which the bards and druids held.”
Watch the official video below:
Through their distinctive fusion of extreme metal and traditional Irish instrumentation, WAYLANDER transform this historical theme into a musical expression of the identity and beliefs that have long inspired their songwriting.
The single is taken from “Mac Tíre - Son of the Land”, the follow-up to 2019's “Ériú's Wheel”. Unlike its predecessor, the new record does not follow a single overarching concept. Instead, its nine compositions explore different aspects of Ireland's ancient past, from mythological figures and mysterious landscapes to forgotten customs and the enduring bond between people and the land.
Formed in Northern Ireland in 1993, WAYLANDER stand among the pioneering acts of Pagan and Celtic Metal. Throughout their career, the band have built a distinctive musical identity, earning a loyal international following through albums such as “Reawakening Pride Once Lost”, “Honour Amongst Chaos” and “Ériú's Wheel”. With their forthcoming release, they continue to develop their sound while remaining faithful to the spirit that has defined their music since the beginning.
TRACKLIST:
01. When The Land Speaks 04:12
02. Macha 05:28
03. Ages of Éireann 05:50
04. Hy Brasil (Isle of Mists) 05:47
05. Sliabh Gullion 06:16
06. Our Once Wooded Isle 06:44
07. Mallachtaí 04:52
08. Signs and Symbols 06:22
09. She of the Sorrows 07:58
TOTAL 51:29
“Mac Tíre - Son of the Land” will be released on November 6th, 2026 via Rockshots Records.
Pre-order "Mac Tíre - Son of the Land":
https://rockshots.eu/products/waylander-mac-tire-son-of-the-land-cd
For Fans Of: Skyclad, Eluveitie, Korpiklaani
ONLINE
LINEUP
Ard Chieftain O’Hagan - Vocals
Tor Dennison - Electric Guitars
Connor Murray - Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Lee McCartney - Drums and Percussion
Dave Briggs - Whistles, Irish Bouzouki, Bodhran, Uilleann Pipes, Backing Vocals
Saul McMichael - Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Backing Vocals
BIOGRAPHY/LOGO
Waylander is a Celtic folk metal band formed in 1993 in Armagh, Northern Ireland. Combining the aggression of extreme metal with traditional Irish folk music, Celtic mythology, ancient history and pagan traditions, the band has established itself as one of the pioneering acts of the Celtic folk metal movement.
Founded by vocalist Ciarán "Ard Chieftain" O'Hagan, Waylander began developing its distinctive sound during the early 1990s. Their debut demo, "Once Upon an Era", appeared in 1995, followed by "Dawning of a New Age" in 1996. The addition of traditional instruments, particularly the tin whistle, helped define the band's musical identity and distinguish them from other emerging extreme metal acts.
In 1998, Waylander released their debut full-length album, "Reawakening Pride Once Lost", through Century Media Records. The album established their reputation within the underground metal scene through its combination of harsh vocals, aggressive guitar riffs, traditional melodies and lyrics inspired by Ireland's ancient Celtic heritage.
Their second album, "The Light, the Dark and the Endless Knot", followed in 2001 through Blackend Records. Despite numerous lineup changes and internal difficulties, the band continued performing and developing its musical approach.
After several years, Waylander returned with "Honour Amongst Chaos" in 2008, released through Listenable Records. The album marked another important chapter in their career, featuring an increasingly sophisticated integration of traditional folk instrumentation and extreme metal. Their fourth studio album, "Kindred Spirits", arrived in 2012, further expanding their melodic and atmospheric elements while maintaining their characteristic intensity.
In 2019, Waylander released "Ériú's Wheel", an ambitious concept album inspired by the ancient Celtic seasonal calendar, exploring the relationship between nature, mythology and the changing seasons.
Throughout their career, Waylander have performed at numerous European festivals, including Bloodstock, Summer Breeze and Hammerfest, helping introduce their distinctive interpretation of Irish folk metal to international audiences.
With their powerful combination of harsh vocals, heavy guitars, traditional Irish instruments and deeply rooted Celtic themes, Waylander remain an important name in the development of Celtic folk and pagan metal. Their music continues to celebrate Ireland's cultural heritage while preserving the raw energy of extreme metal.
DISCOGRAPHY
Demos:
Once Upon an Era - 1995
Dawning of a New Age - 1996
Full-length albums:
Reawakening Pride Once Lost - 1998
The Light, the Dark and the Endless Knot - 2001
Honour Amongst Chaos - 2008
Kindred Spirits - 2012
Ériú's Wheel - 2019
Mac Tíre – Son of the Land - 2026
GENRE/COUNTRY
Celtic Folk Metal
United Kingdom
