An exciting and original musical project that has come to light from Palmerston North. Heavy Blarney is instigated by Bing Turkby. “…Starting in 1996 as one man, a wig and a tape deck,” these days find the author/musician/conjuror surrounded by a talented team of miscreants, resulting in an album of energetic Celtic rock titled ‘From Bog To Swamp’, blarney injected with electric guitar and drums which is worthy of both a bouncy jig and a good headbang.

Irish music charged with a dose of Palmy swamp rock, this is an album of storytelling. Traditional mingled with original tunes, singing songs about the journey of his ancestors to Palmerston North. An album which is unique and off-beat in the best kind of way, a swiftly moving arrangement of Celtic instruments such as whistles, fiddles and redpipes are combined with drums, banjos and guitars to create an astoundingly robust sound with plenty of depth as well as a lively rhythm.

Described as “…a lovely old traditional heavy metal ballad of pain and suffering,” Heavy Kitty is a standout track that is dark and heavy, complemented by the richness of bass.

‘From Bog To Swamp’ has a uniquely Kiwi edge to it, most clearly evident on last track Pepeha which tells a tale of the mighty Manawatu river in te reo.

Distinctive and eclectic, Heavy Blarney have managed to combine completely different genres into something oddly remarkable.