no problem

SO: So I heard the first reactions for “To The Nameless Dead” are even better than the reviews for your last album. Did you see this coming and what do you expect to happen with the new album?

We always just focus on what we are doing and don’t really pay attention to what the scene is doing at anytime really. We make the albums, do the best we can at that time and then after that its up to the label but so far the reactions are very positive. I don’t know what to expect, time shall tell.

SO: In the liner notes you mention that some kind of overall motive on the new album is nationhood. I don’t know how this term is used in Ireland, but with our German history in WW2, it would be very difficult for a German band to use that motive, because you would at once be connected to the political rightwing and being a fascist. Is that similar in Ireland, do you have to defend and explain your ideas a lot in interviews?

Sometimes, sometimes not. The concept of nationhood is something that goes back hundreds if not thousands of years. I’m not talking about world war two, or even world war one. I am talking about the concept itself, why a people believe a land belongs to them and the sacrifices people make trying to create a future for themselves that often never happens. I’m not really concerned with people who will make knee jerk preconceptions without taking the time to understand the concept, the lyrics or ask me. I don’t feel I have to defend anything. These are universal questions, from Peru to Palestine that I am asking and no one is going to tell me how I can and cannot relate to my culture. If we live in a society where everyone is afraid to ask any kind of logical questions about culture, politics, theology, history for fear of being labelled right or left then we are indeed doomed. Anyone who might accuse me of these things should take a look at Irish history before they open their mouth. Step right up I’ll talk rings around anyone…

SO: In your liner notes you wrote “No compromise. Not then. Not now. Not ever.” I guess doing music is somehow always a compromise. If you have a label, they are your business partners and you have to find a way, so that everybody is happy – or what were you referring to with that part of your thankslist?

it’s really very simple. We have never compromised anything in this band for anyone. We do what we want when we want to. We have always followed our own path from day one. I don’t understand what you mean by doing music is always somehow a compromise ?, maybe if you compromise yourself, your vision and your beliefs towards what you create. We on the other hand don’t.

SO: In your music and lyrics you very much reflect your roots, your country… its myths… traditions…. This is quite the contrary to most people these days, it seems that the biggest part of the so called western-civilized part of the world wants to be exchangeable, they want to eat the same food, wear the same clothes, buy the same Swedish furniture and listen to the same music. Did you grew up in a very traditional family?

Primordial essentially stands opposed to this 3 minutes, MTV pop culture. This faceless mono-culture where people are forced to consume through fear and ignorance in the pursuit of one multi-national globalized world. You cannot step into the future without knowing where you came from and if you can try and understand that and affect positive change in your country, to those surrounding you then you are a better human being then most. Think about what you do before you go to the “mall” and buy something from the chain store. You are killing the old city centres, people’s native livelihood. Maybe everything is too late but I’m not going to go quietly and without a fight…

SO: In the liner notes to the song “Traitors Gate” you ask a question, that many people asked themselves before “what is it within a people that they believe a land is theirs ?” I never understood why people claim certain rights (and refuse to admit them to others) just for the sheer luck or coincidence of being born in a certain country. Do you think this behaviour will blur with the following generations or will this never end?

That’s exactly the question I am asking, one of the themes of the album. I don’t necessarily have the answer and the band is not my political soapbox. The fact that you are thinking about it means I have done my job. It’s all part of trying to understand the human condition. Things do become blurred but people have long memories. Just look at the history of my country. One modern way of looking at patriotism and nationalism for example is sport. Do you support your country in football ?….this emotional response can go some way perhaps explaining a few things.

SO: “Heathen Tribes” is a kind of look back over your shoulders to all the places you saw and people you met on the tours with Primordial. So do you enjoy touring or is it more like the last lines of that song, returning back home to Ireland is also always a good part of it?

it’s a very simple song mentioning some of the great places we have been, feelings we have had while we were there, great people we have met. Of course we love touring and playing live, travelling and meeting people. This is why you play Metal in the first place. We are privileged and we never loose the hunger.

SO: Acoustic guitars are quite important in “Heathen Tribes”, will you bring them to your live-shows too?

perhaps an acoustic simulator o)

SO: While hearing your album I sometimes were reminded on doom- and/or Postcore-bands. What are your musical favourites these days and do you think that they influence Primordial?

Of course we listen to bands like this, One of the most important influences originally was Candlemass and of course Black Sabbath. The doom scene as a whole I find a very pure and inspiring scene. However I/we do listen to bands like Isis, High on Fire, Neurosis, Cult of Luna, Capricorns, Converge, Mars Volta etc. I would admit I don’t know a whole lot about “post-core” but I like a lot of bands from that scene. I think they gave Metal some extra diversity and a shot in the arm.

SO: The last album was produced by Billy Anderson, who also worked i.e. with Neurosis and The Melvins. Why did you decide to change the producer now with the new album?

For The Gathering we experimented with a lot of things. This time we wanted to get away from the city and big names. So with a little help from the guys of Rise Above records we found somewhere new in Foel Studios and someone new to engineer in Chris Fielding. It worked out really well…

SO: Is it possible for the band members to earn a living by the band, or do you have “daytime”-jobs?

No we don’t earn a living, we never did and we are far far away from that. Sometimes we get a little here and there, its more a bonus when we do !. Another reason why we were never compromised as a band, we never have to make an album, or go on tour or play festivals to pay the bills. We do it because we choose to.

SO: I really like the artwork of you last album “The Gathering Wilderness”. It was somehow simple, but at the same time it fitted the sound so well and with the crows there was also a connection to some Irish myths. The artwork of the new album has a similar mood, although it has a totally other motive. It looks like a detail of a statue or something. Is this a famous piece of art or something that was especially created for your album?

No it’s nothing to famous to be honest. Just an idea that me and Paul from Scald who did the cover came up with. I’m quite inspired by neo-folk music and their aesthetics and I wanted something simple and iconic. No muscle bound warriors or dragons or whatever o). I think it fits the concept really well.

SO: Ten years ago you released a split-10” with Katatonia. Are you still friends with the guys and what do you think about the direction their sound took over the years?

I used to write with Anders a lot back in the early 90s and they made some of my favourite music back then, Brave Murder Day is a classic. I followed them until Last fair deal gone down and still really enjoyed that. They always did their own thing. Must check out their last few albums and see what they are up to and have a beer sometime !. Their demo from 92 is still one of the best demos ever made I think…

SO: I don’t know if you do read books, comics or watch movies a lot, but if so, I guess you would like the work of Neil Gaiman, Mike Mignola or Tim Burton, for they also often use myths in their works - are you familiar with them?

I actually had to google Mignola and Gaiman to see who they were ! so I guess not. Although I recognise some of their work. I was never really into graphic or fantasy novels when I was young. I remember reading the Sandman series ?. with Rorshach ?. not really my thing but I admire their creativity. Tim Burton of course I know and really like some of his films. Last one I really liked was Big Fish. Guess there have been some more since then.

SO: The album will be released in the middle of November, when will you be touring Germany and do you already know about some festivals for 2008?

I do know about some festivals and they are mounting up but some of them I can’t mention at the moment. I guess it will all become clear over the next few months !.

SO: In an old Primordial-interview I read, that you paint backdrops and side fills for other bands. Do you still do that, and if yes, what were your last jobs for bands?

I don’t get much time anymore with the band and studying full time but sometimes I do them. Mainly for Irish demo bands to be honest although I have done some stuff for Death Angel, Melechesh and bands like that.

SO: So, those were my questions for today, hope they weren’t too boring. All the best for you and Primordial, hope to see you at the Summer Breeze Festival (again!). Take care, Tom

No problem. Thanks for your time, effort and dedication.

No compromise. Not then. Not now. Not ever.

Vae Victis

N.