primordial

Archive | Interviews | Kerrang Spain interview, Jan 2005

- You had had ups and downs, but finally you had got to sign with a serious label Which have the professional advantages been? And the personal advantages?

We certainly have, so far everything is so much better you would not imagine. For once I don't have to worry that people are not doing their jobs properly you know. However for me it almost feels like vindication for not giving in, for not letting the bastards grind us down over all the years and now here we are stronger then ever with more rage and fire then ever before. It's a strange world.

- What did you feel when you knew that Primordial was the first Irish metal band with a musical contract?

Well there were bands in the 80s who did released independent albums but from our generation it was special but you know the fact we were from Ireland we never let it hinder us, we simply concentrated on overcoming what we had to overcome here and make songs good enough that I knew we would get signed no matter where we were from

- "The Gathering Wilderness" is ready. Which are the differences with other Primordial records?

Well as you know its on metal blade which is a huge difference. Every primordial album is like a new chapter in the same book, we know what makes our band our band and we don't stray from that too much, but we don't repeat ourselves. However the one main difference with this album is really that we wanted a more live sound, something like standing in our rehearsal room with us. And I think we achieved that.

- How have you felt working with Billy Anderson?

Fine, he's a crazy guy but brings great energy to things and he has some great ideas. Of course there are problems. There always is but you just concentrate on overcoming every obstacle you can and working within your time and money.

- Lyrics have a great depth. What is the message that you want to transmit?

Difficult to say you know, when I write its because I have to write I don't really think about what will end up in a primordial song or anything like that. There are so many influences and inspirations so its difficult to talk about one particular message but for us relating to your culture, your heritage and history is very important and if we can make some people perhaps think of that then that is something. Apart from that I think we can speak for on this new album the alienated, the desperate, those without hope, those who feel such rage that their liberties have been stripped from them.

- Nemtheanga isn't only the singer. How can he represent the band facing the public with a constant poetry? Is he accompanied by the Gods or by the Muses?

Haha, I don't know if I am my friends. The normal 9-5 world just doesn't seem for me. I'm a restless spirit.

- Primordial's music and lyrics are joined to your Celtic roots. Has that been of use to attract the attention in Ireland, a country with a little metal tradition?

Well I always say we play music because we have to its in our blood and our culture we don't do it because we might as well or for the sake of a good tune you know. And the marriage between the kind of metal we play and our cultural heritage seems perfect for us. It could not be any other way. We say what we mean and mean what we say and what we stand for is this cultural awareness.

- Have you any European Tour for "The Gathering Wilderness"? Will you have some gig in Spain?

I hope so, we've been a few times and I like it down there. There are lots of talks but nothing confirmed right now. Hopefully very soon we can announce something.

- You had a European Tour with Immortal four years ago. How was the experience?

Great, cool guys good crowds. There wasn't 5 bands on the bill just us and them and every night was a party. We play hard and party hard you know. I have no complaints or regrets.

- In Spain, your jobs aren't very famous. What would you say to Spanish guys for they listen, for example, "The Gathering Wilderness"?

Well what can I say ?, its very simple. if you want the same old standard boring industry crap, the same plastic hollow bands singing about nothing then turn the page now. If you want some real music that stands for something very real that is genuinely different and original. The answer is Primordial.