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PRIMORDIAL ‘The Gathering Wilderness’ Metal Blade(2005)
The story of the Irish Metal outfit Primordial is similar to that of their
troubled nation: an uneven battle with 'outside factors' which had the power
to decide the band’s future, and led them to an everyday struggle for
survival.
If in the year 2005 you think that things are quite difficult for
the Metal bands that originate from the island of the bards, imagine how
much harder it was back in 1987, when Ciaran Macuilliam (guitars) and Paul
MacAmhlaigh (bass) first put together a band, which changed quite a few
names before its members finally settled on the name Primordial.
The 'baptism' took place in late 1992, one year after A.A.Nemtheanga
(vocals) decided to join in. The reason why I make this special reference to
the band’s frontman, is because I strongly believe that it was his presence
in the line up that brought a breath of fresh air to the band, and gave
Primordial’s music this unique colour and character that is still present
today, after almost fourteen years.
Now everything was ready for the quintet to conquer the world, but little
did they know about all the difficult times that lay ahead. What do I mean
by that? Do you know many bands that had to wait for their third studio
album, (for Primordial, the amazing 'Spirit the Earth Aflame' (2000)), to be
released in order for them to make their first ever European tour? And we
are talking about a band that already had two very good albums in their
arsenal, 'Imrama' (1995) and 'Journeys End' (1998).
Yes, it is true that Lady Luck did not favour this band at all, but one thing that the Irish
noisemakers didn’t do was to quit the dream. After having changed quite a
few labels and been through hell and high water, Primordial have finally
made the big step by signing a contract with Metal Blade, with which they
are about to release their fifth full-length album that’s entitled 'The
Gathering Wilderness'.
Before I start boring you with my impressions and general analysis of this
new album, I have a little confession to make. I had a very bad experience
with the band’s previous studio album 'Storm Before Calm' (2002), maybe
because I expected to hear something different than what had been produced
by these Irish troubadours. That album never found any space in my CD
collection, and that made the prospect of making a review of their latest
release even more challenging.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is with great pleasure that I present you with what
I consider to be one of the band’s best efforts to date - equally
mind-blowing as 'Spirit the Earth Aflame'. 'The Gathering Wilderness' is a
sixty-minute audio documentary which presents the story of the Celtic
civilization, served with unique Metal melodies that can be as melancholic
as the ones of early Anathema, but also equally aggressive and frustrating
as those of Bathory and Celtic Frost. The seven lengthy compositions that
are featured here have compiled a musical web that will without a doubt trap
many unsuspecting music fans.
The band’s Achilles’ heel has always been the production quality of their
albums, something that no longer seems to be the case. Billy Anderson
(Neurosis, Brutal Truth) has done a very good job by giving these seven
compositions all the strength and might that they really need. As far as
the actual songs are concerned, I am extremely satisfied with every single
composition, whether it is the atmospheric/Celtic folk influenced 'The
Gathering Wilderness' or the Bathoresque 'The Song of the Tomb'.
Primordial gave much emphasis to creating long but very interesting
compositions, combined with the poetic and quite intimate lyrics of
A.A.Nemtheaga.
It is my obligation though to mention that this album has
what I consider being the best song ever composed by this band, and that is
'The Coffin Ships'. The lyrical context of this song is deeply disturbing.
It refers to the ships that used to carry the Irish immigrants to the 'new
world' - people with hopes for a better future, most of which left their
last breath on these floating tombs. I am not of Irish origin, but this
composition left me highly troubled - something that only true music can do.
'The Gathering Wilderness' is a very imposing album that should always win
the battle of preference over many other releases of this similar musical
genre. I think that this is the right time to finish this lengthy review,
but not before I make a final wish. May this be the beginning of a new
'life' for this highly underrated band, and hope that they always find the
strength to confront this rapidly decaying world and the sad little
creatures that call themselves human beings!
*****
Review by John Stefanis
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