Primordial
Redemption at the Puritan's Hand
Rating
Style: Pagan Metal
Release date: 26 April, 2011
Playing time: 63:57
 

It doesn't really get any better than Primordial. Epic album after epic album. They've sat at the top of all forms of metal for many years now, and Redemption at the Puritan's Hand is another notch in their belt of sheer dominance.

The funny thing is this isn't a Primordial album like any other. It's more subdued. They continue to build songs in epic fashion, starting slow, gathering momentum and ending with you on the edge of your seat. There's also a maturity to this album that takes it to another level though. Nemtheanga is on point throughout, and he's the overwhelming wow factor, from the passion he delivers in his vocals, to the actual lyric writing itself. It is extremely powerful stuff.

Musically, it's not quite on par with the past couple of releases, but the downgrade is minimal. This is still an outstanding album on its own. The riffing is interesting, and there are quite a few tracks that slow the tempo down further than you would be prone to expect. There are also more than a few sections throughout that are quite catchy that will register in your mind.

It's a complete album, no filler, and while I wouldn't place it above Gathering Wilderness, To The Nameless Dead or Storm Before Calm, I would say it holds together front to back better than those albums do.

In all, this album is more of an experience than anything else. It's a real look at life through Nemtheanga's eyes, with an epic backdrop and a ton of heart and soul. A must for any Primordial fan, which honestly, anyone who listens to metal should be at this point.


Tracklist
01. No Grave Deep Enough (7:10)
02. Lain With the Wolf (8:25)
03. Bloodied Yet Unbowed (8:47)
04. Gods Old Snake (6:25)
05. The Mouth of Judas (8:53)
06. The Black Hundred (6:19)
07. The Puritan's Hand (8:36)
08. Death of the Gods (9:21)
Label: Metal Blade Records
Distribution: Target (Denmark)
Reviewed by: The Rev
Date: 29 April, 2011
Website: www.primordialweb.com