- September 29th, 2023 –
Record Out Now On Metal Blade Records + European Tour With Paradise Lost Underway!
Photo by Fergal Flannery
Watch / stream PRIMORDIAL’s “How It Ends” video HERE
Dublin, Ireland-based Pagan metal legends PRIMORDIAL have unleashed their moving new video for “How It Ends,” the title track of their tenth studio album, out today on Metal Blade Records!
Having lasted thirty-two years and now returning with their devastating new studio offering, the follow-up to 2018′s critically lauded Exile Amongst The Ruins finds PRIMORDIAL delivering more of their seminal blend of Celtic and black metal, with an extra added urgency, and staring down the apocalypse. “The title is a question – ‘is this how it ends? How it all goes down: culture, language, history, society, humanity…’ – who knows?,” considers vocalist A. A. Nemtheanga. “Regardless of who you are or were, you get one chance at all of this, and it’s asking, ‘is this the end of your town, state, nation? Myths, traditions, relationships…?,’ and I suppose it asks the question, ‘who reacts, who rebels – how does it end now for them?‘”
Working alongside founding members – bassist Pól MacAmlaigh and guitarist Ciáran MacUilliam – and longtime drummer Simon O’Laoghaire, the band started writing in earnest in the Fall of 2022, having lit a fire under themselves to work hastily and productively. The album was tracked at Hellfire Studios on the outskirts of Dublin, produced by the band and engineered by previous collaborator Chris Fielding.
“How It Ends is a very angry, defiant, visceral, and rebellious album,” notes Nemtheanga, “and as we worked, it all began to take more shape and form itself. It may be the note we go out on, but it will be a note of resistance, in musical terms. I think it’s also more metal, And more epic!” It only takes one listen for these claims to be proven true, whether it’s the surging, gruff, dark “Ploughs To Rust, Swords To Dust,” the moody, desperate “Pilgrimage To The World’s End,” or the sprawling “All Against All,” which is drenched in a sinister air and driven by pounding rhythms, wielding a towering climax, How It Ends is a truly thundering offering.
Drawing lyrical influence both from modern and historical ideas, Nemtheanga always gives the listener something to think about. The title track continues the themes that have always been a part of PRIMORDIAL, looking at “the life cycle of people, of nations, of languages, songs, myths and tradition. This song, as much of the album, asks the question, ‘do you have the stomach for the fight? The guts to stand against the crowd? To rebel, to dissent, to stand up to authoritarianism?’“
Watch PRIMORDIAL‘s stunning “How It Ends” video at THIS LOCATION.
Watch the band’s previously released video for “Victory Has 1000 Fathers, Defeat Is An Orphan” HERE and “Pilgrimage To The World’s End” HERE.
How It Ends is available on the following formats:
(Worldwide) – Digital
(US) – Jewel Case CD
(Worldwide) 2xLP in Gatefold, with insert and download card
(EU) – 2xDigipak CD (6-panel digi w/ 12-page booklet) w/ 6-bonus tracks
(EU) 2xLP Special Edition in Gatefold, with insert and downloadcard in slipcase with tote bag, slipmat, double-sided poster (ltd. to 1000 copies)
Order at: metalblade.com/primordial
Yesterday, PRIMORDIAL kicked off their tour supporting Paradise Lost. Additional support is being provided by Omnium Gatherum and Harakiri For The Sky. Find tickets at THIS LOCATION. The band will celebrate the release of How It Ends with a special performance in Dublin at The Academy on April 27th, 2024. Also appearing will be Iceland’s Misþyrming and Belfast’s Darkest Era. Tickets are on sale now at THIS LOCATION. See all confirmed dates below.
PRIMORDIAL w/ Paradise Lost, Omnium Gatherum, Harakiri For The Sky:
9/28/2023 Substage – Karlsruhe, DE
9/29/2023 Komplex – Zurich, CZ
9/30/2023 Kaminwerk – Memmingen, DE
10/01/2023 Schlachthof – Wiesbaden, DE
10/02/2023 L̦wensaal РNuremberg,DE
10/04/2023 Trix – Antwerp, BE
10/05/2023 Garage – Saarbrücken, DE
10/06/2023 MeetFactory – Prague, CZ
10/07/2023 Vienna Metal Meeting – Vienna, AT
10/08/2023 Barba Negra – Budapest, HU
10/10/2023 A2 – Wroclaw, PL
10/11/2023 Capitol – Hanover, DE
10/12/2023 Kronensaal – Hamburg, DE
10/13/2023 Hellraiser – Leipzig, DE
10/14/2023 Turbinenhalle 2 – Oberhausen, DE
10/15/2023 Roanda – Utrecht, NL
End Tour
4/27/2024 The Academy – Dublin, IE w/ Misþyrming, Belfast’s Darkest Era
“As epic as they’ve ever been.” – Metal Injection
“Epic songwriting, cultural aural tapestry, lyrical content surrounding history, heritage, and the struggles of the common man – it doesn’t get more emotional than this.” – Dead Rhetoric
“Full of emotion and mood-building, while still having plenty of metallic kick, this new album finds Primordial in top form.” – Wonderbox Metal
“The music is organic, and the band collectively sounds energized despite the frustrations and concerns at how the world has changed.” – Metal Talk
“…a tremendous album…” – Metallerium
‘‘How It Ends is a massive confrontational beast of an album. Defiant and angry. Set against the ugly violent truth of history and the malaise of the present, it asks the ultimate questions of who will stand and rebel against their environment. PRIMORDIAL makes utterly heavy music that matters, cares, and asks for a return on the investment. Essential.” – Metal Roos
“Mature and deliberate, yet aggressively passionate, How It Ends is another Irish masterclass in extreme metal.” – Ghost Cult
“How It Ends takes us on a story of resistance spearheaded by the powerful and emotive vocal performance…” – No Clean Singing
PRIMORDIAL:
A.A. Nemtheanga – vocals
Ciarán MacUilliam – guitar
Pól MacAmlaigh – bass
Simon O’Laoghaire – drums
https://www.primordialofficial.com
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