Germany's SUIDAKRA has posted a new picture gallery featuring shot from their recent tour through Spain and Portugal. Check it out at this location. More pictures will be added in the coming days.

BW&BK; recently received the following Suidakra press release:

While so-called "pagan metal" bands seem to be popping up around every corner lately, trying to conform to current trends instead of coming up with ideas of their own, SUIDAKRA have stayed true to the sound that they have become known for. Reaching new heights in their fourteen year history, the German Celtic metallers return full steam ahead with their 9th studio album,Crógacht. Combining fast melodic death metal, Irish folk music, and a torrent of harmonies, they prove yet again the ability blend several different influences into their unique sound. To put a spin on things, new elements are introduced, like traditional instruments (bagpipes, banjo, tin whistles), a sixteen member choir and epic orchestral arrangements.

Suidakra have performed numerous live shows, including five stints at the world famous Wacken Open Air festival, as well as completing several tours in Europe and Russia. In March 2009, the band successfully took part in a four week North American tour around the US and Canada. In June Suidakra played 4 highly acclaimed shows in China; after another stop at the 20th Wacken Open Air; Suidakra traveled to the UK for a tour in November with SAXON and ANVIL.

After a brief tour of Spain the guys in Suidakra are making their triumphant return to North America on tour this March with ORPHANED LAND. There will be three dates in the United States one in New York, one in Chicago and one in Austin, TX (during the South By South West Music Festival). The tour will also touch down in Canada in both Montreal and Toronto. Tickets are on sale now.

Guitarist and singer Arkadius spoke about the upcoming North American dates: “We are excited that we are returning to North America for a third time. The last two times we were here were awesome! We are looking forward to kicking some asses again.”

Recorded at Gernhart Studios with producer Martin Buchwalter, Crógacht delivers the most powerful candy for the ears. But the eyes and mind will also be pleased, as famous Belgian graphic artist Kris Verwimp is responsible not only for the magnificent artwork in the digipack and 16-page booklet, but also for the lyrics of this fascinating concept album. Crógacht, meaning bravery, is based in its entirety on one of the most dramatic tales in Irish mythology. It tells the story of the hero Cuchulainn’s epic journey to the Isle of Skye, where he seeks to learn the arts of war from the Scythian warrior woman Scáthach. The decisions he then has to make set the events in motion that will lead up to his son Conlaoch’s tragic fate...

Suidakra dates with Orphaned Land:

March

8 - New York, NY - BB King’s
10 - Montreal, QC - Les Foufones Electriques
13 - Toronto, ON - Wreck Room
14 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
17 - Austin, TX - Red 7

More on Suidakra at this location.