In times of showy vanity, Primordial are refreshingly unassuming and let their actions speak for themselves, instead of succumbing to cascades of smug self praise. For all this, their goals are no less ambitious, however: ‘Storm Before Calm’ investigates some central questions of humanity; it deals with the role of the individual in the greater scheme of things; questions the relevance of human legacies and focuses on the issue of finding one’s place amongst the great worldly forces. Consequently, the central theme is the individual, yet one who is respectful of nature and its powers, and is aware of its origin. Primordial’s belief in cyclical existence contends that everything is part of a much greater whole and will eventually return to its starting point: the earth. Primordial heralds this realisation with constant intensity, yet maintains an ever increasing level of originality, follows a different path, and is far removed from any colourless Zeitgeist. As the metaller frequently murmurs portentous phrases such as, “once upon a time everything was better, harder, grimmer and nastier”, into his long bushy beard, and many artists only see development as the betrayal of old the ideas, this Irish group turns all sorts of expectations on their heads. The sixth release (including the mini CD ‘The Burning Season’ and the ‘Dark Romanticism’ demo) puts all previous albums in the shade, in terms of grimness, lack of compromise, strength and spirituality, yet is more than just an act of desperation inspired by nostalgia. The hearts of the musicians still beat for the heroes of the ‘80s, but one should not attempt to reduce Primordial to the characteristics of this era; the primeval ‘The Heretics Age’ would crush all such intentions with the force of a wave in a raging storm. The roaring outbreak pounds against ones skull, leaving you momentarily staggering in awe, and then quickly gives way to the widely praised and unmistakable Primordial trademarks: pride, strength and melancholy. All the ingredients have, despite the harsh basic character, been refined. As Alan, singer and lyricist, so aptly puts it, “There’s no calm without the storm”. ‘Storm Before Calm’ is the heart of a storm promising change; ‘Fallen to Ruin’ alternates between epicness similar to that of ‘A Journey’s End’ and the unchained passion of ‘Spirit the Earth Aflame’. The traditional Mags Academy Studios production lends the vocals warmth, the guitars a wonderful bite and the drums determination. ‘What Sleeps Within’ reveals its strength in the title and is a passionate confession: “One must be the fire” - hissing vocals, the violent passion of Black Metal and much soul underline an honest desire. ‘Suns First Rays’, a purely acoustic instrumental, herald the awakening of a new day to astonishing clarity and signals the gradual arrival of calm: ‘Sons of the Morrigan’ rises up a final time, with metallic force, as from the depths of the earth, before ‘The Hosting of the Sidhe’ lays the beautiful and stirring words of the Irish poet William Butler Yeats down on a heavily woven sound texture. Stunning! (Graded 9/10, Album of The Month)

Marcel Tilger