Primordial - Redemption at the Puritan's Hand

\r\nThey haven’t released one bad album and I wouldn’t expect them to start doing so now.
\r\nAfter the overwhelming "The Gathering Wilderness"(2005) and "To the Nameless Dead"(2007), one would expect it just can’t get any better with these dudes, but the Irish Primordial make a dynamic comeback with their 7th album, "Redemption at the Puritan’s Hand". Not only do they prove that they have not fizzled out after their previous top releases, but their music has continuously matured, giving us great compositions.
\r\nYou see, their music, which revolves around Celtic black metal, is like the finest wine the bravest warriors of Ireland would drink. Primordial, ladies and gents, are in great shape!In a few words, when it comes to "Redemption at the Puritan’s Hand", we’re talking about an intense, dark, dramatic, raw and atmospheric album which bears that melancholic passion which detains and mesmerizes until it’s over...As frontman Nemtheanga writes, "The theme here, Death. Mortality and how we handle it. The themes of religion, mortality and death occur over and over again along with continuing themes of alienation, martyrdom, sacrifice, violence and retribution... Don’t expect fantasy or escapism. No remorse, no regret."
\r\n
\r\nThe album starts off with a marching intro, giving us a small taste of what’s to follow.
\r\nThe emotional singing, along with the agony and anger, goes amazingly well with the black metal vocal backups; so well that one is almost shocked with the feelings it brings out. Be patient. The opening track "No Grave Deep Enough" is only the beginning!
\r\nWhat to expect? Simple but extremely effective riffs. Melodies that captivate until that familiar voice we know and love comes along. What is truly remarkable is the dovotion heard in each word Alan-Nemtheanga-Averill sings, the same devotion that is heard in every instrument, resulting in a natural, authentic and slightly frayed sound, with a heavy and dynamic production. Everything is in place.I can’t find anything that is not magnificent here.
\r\n"Bloodied Yet Unbowed" impressed me, as did "God’s Old Snake" which begins with awesome riffing and again, dynamic drumwork from Simon O’Laoghaire who is back with the band after the unfortunate moment they had in Greece which led to his departure, so Primordial remain... Primordial.Following, is the "ballad-esque" "Mouth of Judas", a melancholic song that lacks no intensity, and with an ending that doesn’t even prepare you for the exciting fast-paced "The Black Hundred" that follows.
\r\n
\r\nAfter that, it’s "The Puritan’s Hand". Somewhere here your soul is struggling with it’s crushing weight. You’re in pain fellow reader, you’re in pain and you like it. And since you like it, let’s go on to the final track of the album which is also the longest. The 9 minute "Death of the Gods" closes "Redemption at the Puritan’s Hand" after succeeding in sinking you into the passion and the feeling of damnation that’s hidden in this album.
\r\nPay close attention to the cover and don’t be fooled by all the white. This is about the exact opposite.We’re talking about a massive album. Some might arguably consider this one as Primordial’s best album to date. For some others such as myself, it’s almost as awesome as thier previous kick-ass releases.
\r\nI urge you to listen to it and draw your own conclusions but mark my words, "Redemption at the Puritan’s Hand" will be one of the best that 2011 has to offer.\r\n

\r\n

\r\nJohn "Inversed"? \r\n

\r\n