Irish, blackened, pagan metal act Primordial has re-released their fourth album, Storm Before Calm. Their trademark sound that is indicative of a scorched earth and ashen skies as heard on The Gathering Wilderness and To the Nameless Dead is noticeable on this album, but in a much more raw form.
Comprised of frontman Alan Averill; guitarists Ciáran MacUiliam ; Feargal Flannery, bassist; PĂłl “Paul” MacAmlaigh; and drummer Derek “D” MacAmlaigh; Primordial weaves vicious guitar riffs and driving percussion with black metal vocals to create an evil Celtic knot.Â
The band perfected their sound with subsequent releases when they found the balance between the clean vocal work of Averill and the virtually un-melodic guitar riffs, but on this album, the overall impression is a sleepy one. Part of the band’s trick is the ability to write hypnotic, repeating guitar lines that keep the listener entranced, but here, those lines don’t have the same impact, and Averill’s black metal growl lacks a sufficient punch to remain interesting.Â
I do recommend any metal fan to check the band out, but just not this particular record. The band is better when they crank out their own signature sound, not doing their best imitation of Borknagar.
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