Artist - Primordial
Album - The Gathering Wilderness
Label - Metal Blade Records (2005)
Reviewer - Eric Beyer
If you like story telling then you have found the right place. Primordial brings in a unique taste of songwriting and storytelling of possible folklore from their native country of Ireland. Listen closely and hear cunning elements placed beautifully in this ever dark album. With an average track length of probably eight to eight and a half minutes, you have time to learn from them and read about their images and portrayed in these songs.
These long time friends of nearly 20-years, since formed into a powerful musical group destined for attention, bring to the table what seems to be a dream come true. Starting as we all do, learning a new instrument and desiring to play and play, but these guys understand their instruments and have learned how to use them to create these amazing sounds. On vocals is A.A. Nemtheanga, also a great metal logo artist, brings in a vocal style that stands above many others. Ciaran MacUiliam and Michael O’Floinn on guitars create melodies and riffs elemental to their sound and the sounds of their roots. Paul MacAmlaigh on bass carries in that low end for these guys making a nice balance for the sounds this band delivers. Simon O’Laoghaire on drums has some amazing stuff going on, even some very rhythmic and percussive fillers not normally heard in metal of any kind.
This album is a beautiful piece with depth far beyond what I have seen thus far. I intend on listing to this album until I completely understand it. I am mystified…captivated by it. I hope you can experience the same.
Track Listing:
1. The Golden Spiral
2. The Gathering Wilderness
3. The Song of the Tomb
4. End of all Times (Martyrs Fire)
5. The Coffin Ships
6. Tragedy’s Birch
7. Cities Carved in Stone
