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By JEFF MAKI
Ireland's Primordial had early beginnings of death and black metal. They have experimented and evolved over time to the point that they have strayed far from their roots. Their new release, To the Nameless Dead, is a vast soundscape full of heart, soul and emotion. Sadness and sorrow weep from every guitar riff and lyric. A.A. Nemtheanga's melancholic vocals have a feel of desperation and strife, like he is fighting for something he truly believes in with every last breath. The ambiance of the album has just as much to do with the overall concept as it does with the band's turbulent history. A detailed biographical timeline accompanied the promo album and reading it almost brought tears to my eyes. No one in the band ever passed away to my knowledge, but Primordial has endured hardship after hardship, mostly due to the struggle of trying to make it as a metal band (canceled tours, legal issues, lack of promotion, etc.) But the one thing that Primordial has gained from this is determination and this is a theme of the album. The band is determined to remember our past and the importance of the people who fought and died to give us the lives that many of us lead today; remembrance of all our nations' histories and the importance of standing up for what our ancestors believed in. Thus, the album's title is a tribute to those forgotten, The Nameless Dead.
Musically, mood and atmosphere are the main role-players on the album. Primordial don't provide that headbanging riff or mosh-inducing breakdown on a regular basis. Instead, they create a massive wall of sound, something of a mix between black metal, folk and sludge. Their country's heritage and influence can be heard in several areas, as well. “Empire Falls” is a powerful opener, with Nemtheanga's unmatched intensity driving the song. Wow, this guy can sing. And these are not merely songs, but epics; the average length is around seven minutes. Picking and plucking out specific parts of songs or accurately describing Primordial's sound is just as hard as pronouncing the member's names—and that's a compliment. All I can say is that their sound is experimental yet undeniably heavy. The only bands I can think of to compare them to are Therion, Satyricon and Cult of Luna. Primoridal climbs to new territory in the standout “Heathen Tribes.” Starting as an Irish folk song, it builds with rhythm and acoustic guitars before climaxing with amazingly distinct riffs. You'll want to play this one over and over. It sounds like nothing I've heard before. Distortion opens “Traitors Gate” and gives way to fast black metal passages. This is the heaviest song on the album. The powerful guitar chords of the eight-minute closer, "No Nation on This Earth, end To the Nameless Dead in triumphant fashion.
Primordial is unique in that they are one of the few bands that lets emotion drive their music. The album is a strong and important statement, both musically and conceptually. I'm sure the struggle will continue for Primordial, but they have won this battle. Fortunately for the metal world, there is still a war to be won.
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