By: Anders

Posted: Sep 11, 2005

Gripping like not many things in this world, is a nice general description for Primordial's music. The band hailing from Ireland, really know how to write great catching tunes, which won't let the listener go, before the listener has been through his or hers entire emotional register. Not much music works like that, a shame really, but this of course make releases like this more appreciated.

Primordial has their offset in black metal influenced melodies, infused with folk musical ways of composing their material. The melodies, together with the awe inspiring hooks, are why the music is as gripping as it is. Together with the magnificent voice of A.A. Nemtheanga. Huge and passionate, grim and soothing at the same time. Both the vocals and the music are full of melancholy and paint huge spheres of the ancient times and moves the listener deep. When one listens to the music, it's like being transported into another dimension, everything present stops to exist, and nothing matters, besides the message from Primordial.

It's been awhile since I have come across as moving music as this. All the elements the band uses, are working together and creates a higher wholesome. All the great and noisy guitar riffs and the great melodies. The straight ahead to percussion-like drumming is great, the sound of the drums are laidback, very organic, with the snare drum as the leading pacer. The bass are rumbling, almost hidden behind the wall of guitars, keeping the rhythm tight. On top of it all, the vocals, huge, emotional and straight in your face, when it is at its best, it makes it shiver down your spine. The production is raw, organic and has a nice raw edge, suiting the music perfectly.

This is for sure one of the best and most lasting releases this year so far. And if you don't believe music can't be as gripping, touching and emotional, that it can't bring a small tear in the corner of the eye, you for sure haven't given this album a good listen. Just give 'The Coffin Ships' a spin, feel the atmosphere, be dragged into the vortex of melancholy and feel the effect of the sorrowful voice…

Rating: 9½/10

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