im fine thanks

So, Primordial’s new album “To The Nameless Dead” is in front of us. First, I would like to congratulate you on another gem in your discography. Primordial always had some good critics, but this time things are really going over the top - # 1 in sound checks in Rock Hard, Metal Hammer, Legacy... Do you still care about such things after 17 years of Primordial? You proved long time ago that this band is not about fame and being “the next big thing”.

it is gratifying when you get positive critical acclaim but as you say its not the reason why we started the band so it doesn’t bother us that much although its an interesting thing to be a part of right now.

In my previous question I wanted to say that “To The Nameless Dead” is the best Primordial album (since it is still fairly new and very exciting to me), but than I realized that I simply can’t put my finger on any of your albums and say “This one is the best!”, and all my friends share this opinion. Are you confortable with it or would you rather be in “Slayer’s mode”(you know, Reign in Blood… ;) )?

I think that’s the best way to be. Some bands have one stand out album then try and follow it up for years and years while losing their energy. I agree with you, we get stronger and stronger.

So we can agree that Primordial is doing fine these days, and thank Satan for that : ). Did Metal Blade helped much in that? Are you happy with the way things are going with them? At least, they helped you to reach the wider audience and to break out of that “best kept secret in metal” mold, me thinks…

yeah signing with them has made a big difference. We aren’t really an underground band anymore and slowly but surely more mainstream people are beginning to hear about us. I don’t have any complaints right now.

I love the production of the new album, man! It has that “wall of sound” feeling, and yet it is dirty and old school metalish. Who did the production this time and how did the work on album went on?

a guy called chris hastings from the band agents of the morai engineered it in foel studios in north wales. Its an old studio with lots of old gear and we approached it in an old school way. You can hear that. We didn’t want to simply sound like we recorded in 82 but to have a modern feel as well but far away from the plastic sound of most modern metal records. it was recorded and mixed in 13 days.

Title of the album is a little bit unusual. I see it as your tribute to all the nameless heroes, “small-big” people (as we would say in Serbia, I hope you understand me…), and also the cover don’t show the face of the warrior. Elaborate on this a little bit…

the titles of our albums are always unusual. Basically its some form of homage to the nameless dead who gave their lives in the pursuit of some greater ideal or their country that we in the modern age take for granted. I think its more suggestive that you don’t see the full cover, it fits perfectly.

The overall feeling of “To The Nameless Dead” is less melancholic and more aggressive and warlike than last time (this time you are in the front rows of the battle instead of mourning over the losses…just joking ;) ).  Intentional or not? Do you have some masterplan how is Primordial album supposed to sound or you just go with the flow?

there is no masterplan whatsoever. What comes out comes out. There is no magic formula and we don’t sit around planning our next move. If we write a song liked traitors gate in rehearsal it just happens.

This album reminds me on “Spirit The Earth Aflame” and “Storm Before Calm” in one aspect – the opening track of the album “Empires Fall”is true scorcher and it takes no prisoners. Don’t you fear that the listener will lose attention after such a powerful opening and that the album will lose the necesarry balance?

I never really thought about it. If you are kind of person who looses attention after one track then I don’t think primordial is the right band for you. I just felt we had to open the album with the most direct song and as you say take no prisoners from the start. You have to view the album as a whole with highs and lows, light and shade.

Let’s talk about your collaborations with other bands – you did guest vocals on Marduk – “ROM 5:12” and Desaster – “Satan’s Soldiers Syndicate” (both albums are KILLER! ). Are you good friends with those guys and do you have good memories from work with them? Also I’ve heard that split with Rotting Christ is in plan… A bit unusual move, maybe…? Did you miss the smell of your stuff on “black gold” : ) ?

yeah I wouldn’t generally do vocals with a band I wasn’t friends with or had some common ground with. This is true of both of these bands. I might do a few more things like this but I don’t want to become the guy who everyone in a certain scene calls to do some backing vocals o). im friends with Rotting Christ since 91 and they have been consistently one of my fave bands since 89 so it would be an honour to do something with them. There is a plan, we just haven’t figured it out yet. Underground things like this for the dedicated are special.

Primordial has the reputation of great live band (sadly, I have never witnessed your live attack, so do me a favour and come to Serbia, man! Seriously, think about that a little bit…). I’m interested in one thing – can you still find the same drive and desire after hundreds of gigs? Do you still feel the boiling of blood for the smell of amps and sweat as you (probably) did in the beginning of Primordial?

of course. We aren’t complacent. We didn’t grow up spoilt by either gigs or our society. We still have the hunger. Now we are older we cannot play as many shows as we used to but we will still do what we can. Of course we would love to come to Serbia. You never know. I still get excited when I see a new killer live band or my fave old bands. Its important to be pro-active about music or else you get tired and jaded.

I know that you are still passionate metal fan, so I would like to hear your opinion about some random Metal issues – first of all : were you satisfied by latest Manowar release? I think it is by far their worst album… Second : do you think that Watain is the most important Black Metal band right now? I saw them live some months ago, and I can tell you that I never saw such a possessed BM band! And third and the most important question : King Diamond – God? If you ask me – 666 times HELL YEAH : )

The new Manowar album is dreadful. The story is paper thin and aimed at 15 year olds. I love old Manowar and even liked Warriors but this one is like a kids storybook. I also wish they would let Scott play the damn drums and stop with this damn drum machine. However they are still a big band and the Metal world needs them. Watain are definitely taking things to another level because they go out on tour a lot and are raising the bar in the live arena, unlike many other black metal bands. For example I prefer Funeral Mist and even the new Marduk but Watain is an excellent band and they inject some new demonic life into the scene. I’ve had some interesting conversations with those guys, we may not see eye to eye on everything but they believe what they believe and you can hear that. More power to them. I love Mercyful fate of course but I haven’t liked a KD solo album since The Eye even though people keep telling me the new one is great. I wish they would make another MF album instead as 9 was killer.

Primordial is definitely the most popular Irish band in the world of Metal. Can you tell us something about the state of Irish scene, did your success (and also break through of bands like Mourning Beloveth, Cruachan…) gave it some momentum?

I guess we opened a few doors and continue to do so. If we are the standard bearers then so be it. The Irish scene is growing all the time and very healthy right now.

OK, that’s all I had to ask you, hope we will have another chance for conversation, but next time in person. Thy last words...

No compromise. Not then. Not now. Not ever

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