Review: Primordial - Redemption At The Puritan’s Hand

Country: Ireland
Genre: Celtic/Folk/Black Metal
Release Year: 2011
Label: Metal Blade Records
Format: CD, LP

I still remember my astonishment when I first listened to Primordial two years ago, and more specifically ‘The Gathering Wilderness’. I had never heard anything like that before, and even though it sounded different and strange, still it was incredible. They manage to combine black and folk elements along with stories and tunes from their Celtic roots, in their music creating a magical fusion and trademark sound.

Having 6 masterpieces in their arsenal, Primordial had set the bar very high, especially with their last album in 2007, ‘To The Nameless Dead’ which is arguably their best.  I had my doubts whether Alan and his company would manage to release something as good or better than their previous release, nevertheless they have never failed their fans so far, so I would not expect anything less than great.

The chills I get from the first song(‘No Grave Deep Enough’) when Alan screams ‘O, Death where are your teeth’ is the only sign I need to confirm that Primordial have yet again produced another diamond. ‘Redemption at the Puritan’s Hand’ is just another typical Primordial album with no experimentations whatsoever. It may not be perfect as their previous albums, but it still is a great release. It gives you the feeling of walking hopelessly alone in a misty forest and the path seems endless. It may take some time to digest itself in your mind, but the more you listen to it, the more you will like and appreciate it. So you should definitely give it a chance, fan or not.

My favourite tracks from the album are ‘No Grave Deep Enough’, ‘The Mouth of Judas’ and ‘Death of the Gods’. For those in England, we will get a chance to see them in May, in Manchester(4th) and in London(5th).


‘So rise my brothers, rise from your graves
No grave is deep enough to keep us in chains’

Alexandros ‘Noullis’ Vacanas
March 2012