Interview Primordial

Your music is not exactly standard, but very specific. What were the influences that made you decide to go for your very particular sound and songs on this album?

The same as they always were. We evolved here on an island out on the edge of Europe, away from the scene. We aren’t interested in trends of scene politics or what other people are doing.

Does it also come close to, or has it something to do with your Irish identity?

Of course, being Irish influences us in every way, our way of thinking and the way we relate to the world. The history, politics and culture of our country has made us what we are. However the themes within Primordial are universal. From Peru to Palestine you should be able to see yourself and your own culture within what I write.

The black metal part of your sound seems to be fading during the years, in favour of the folk and heavy metal. Would you agree? And if so, what is the reason that you are slowly moving in that direction?

No reason. Nothing is analysed or planned. What we write is what we write. I think however there is still Black metal in Primordial. Listen to a song like Traitors gate for example then listen to Fuil Arsa from the first album which sounds more like a normal 4/4 rock song…you can find exceptions to every rule.

I can imagine it’s hard to find new angles for new songs. Is it difficult to avoid repeating yourself?

When you sound original and have an established your own sound its not as difficult as perhaps making 6 albums of Dark Throne worship. We don’t really think about it we just write when we have to and we are our own biggest critics…

I think it is the best album you have made so far. How do you measure your own progression over the years and how aware are you of the fact this album is better than the former one?

Again I don’t know which one is best, we do the best we can when we make one. I’m proud of them all for similar and varying reasons. You must evolve as human being, this influences you as a musician and creative person.

How important was the producer for this album and what is the biggest difference between this album and the earlier albums, because I believe you have the absolute perfect sound for your music on this album.

We had a very definite idea what we wanted with this album. An old school sounding album but one that didn’t sound like it was recorded in 1981. I can’t stand the modern digital, plastic sounding metal productions. Chris who engineered the album understood our vision and we worked hard on real drums and fired up the old analog desk.

Could you tell me what subjects you use in the lyrics on 'To The Nameless Dead'?

Nationhood, movement of borders, language, loss of faith, war, sacrifice, defiance, rebellion, resistance, selling of cultures, rewriting of history, the end of the age of Empires, martyrdom…

Are there any things you would never sing about?

How about anything that power metal bands generally sing about ?...angels or fucking unicorns…

Singer A. A. Nemtheanga puts a lot of emotion in the way he sings. Does it all mean that much to him and/or does he have such a vivid imagination that he can see himself in the middle of what he is singing about?

I say what I mean and mean what I say and when you feel like this the song’s are part of you and vice versa. No more and no less.

When you're not playing music, what kind of pastimes do you have and do you have some interesting hobby’s?

Studying, art, history, travelling, keeping fit…

How do you spend the empty hours Between the shows? You must be able to minimize the boring waiting hours somehow?

They are indeed often boring hours, hopefully you are in an interesting city and can go to a museum  or see some sites or take in some of the cities atmosphere. Often sadly you are in the middle of an industrial estate on the outskirts of some urban wasteland but sometimes you get to be somewhere interesting. Or else I meet people I know or put my mp3 player on and head off on my own.

I have seen several of your shows and the energy that you give on stage is immense. How are you able to do that night after night?

First answer is that I’m quite fit which helps, second answer I guess is that the most amount of days we might ever play on a tour is about 20. Whether I could do 3 months of touring like bands in the 70s and 80s used to do I don’t know.

I can imagine that at one point you might have a bad day. How you make sure the audience doesn't see and feel that?

Having grown up in Ireland in the 80s and beginning to play gigs in the early 90s in the floor of pubs with no pa or monitors we are not spoilt and used to making the best out of difficult situations. You can have a great gig in front of 50 people on the floor of a squat...

How important is the show element of a performance for you? Have you done anything in particular to renew or enhance the show?

We have been thinking about that and what to do but we aren’t sure yet. The show is important and is the real test of a Metal band, that’s when you should come into your element.

A band is very much in the hands of their fans. How important are they to you? How much do you respect them?

Of course they are the reason why you are out there touring. We are very lucky to not be another run of the mill band, this band means something to people. They identify with us because they know we mean it and we are real. For that we are immensely thankful…

Do you communicate a lot with them?

Of course. We don’t hide in the backstage. You will often find me hanging out in the crowd or just visiting festivals as a fan.

Well. I think we have more than enough that I have asked you. I am looking forward to your answers.

Thanks for your time.  No compromise. Not then. Not now. Not ever.

Thanks a lot and good luck to Primordial!

Sjaak Vesters