Primitai - Violence Of The Skies
Album review by; DeeDee
This is the Sixth full length album from Primitai, who have been stalwarts of the British metal scene, since their conception in 2003. Based in the London area and fronted by Guy Miller on vocals and Srdjan Bilic on Guitar, this latest offering ‘Violence Of The Skies’ can be seen as a concept album in many ways, with lashings of synthesiser and classical moods. The idea is that of escaping a dying earth and living in Space, while suffering the loss and harsh reality of trying to survive. The result is Primitai moving upwards and developing their basic Heavy Metal foundations with more melodies and an increase in musical technicality.
‘Stars Are My Guide’ makes an entrance with pulsating tones and a sense of determination. Heavy and forceful the drums of Jon Warren come crashing in, before the sheer and dynamic vocals are released upon the unsuspecting listener. All this pristine resonance culminates in a very classic type of finish and it continues into track two ‘The Uprising’, which has just been dropped as a single. More of a flow with a faster gear change; this is as smooth as silk on the ear. The eponymous song ‘Violence of the Skies’ is sturdy and has the most delectable hook. Lower chords and a graceful rhythm give it an air of majesty and there is a superb guitar solo thrown in mid way, to break it up. The drums are thudding through my headphones with so much clarity; it’s a really colossal production. The first single off the new album was ‘Valley Of Darkness’ which has a moody and intense introduction, slow and succulent vocals echo with accompanying eerie strings. The track soon gains motion and the wheels start to turn, the balance and changes in tempo are outstanding. Eventually it levels out and becomes even more serene and again the guitar adds plenty of gloss. The classic metal sound of ‘Warriors Of Time’ bends the direction of the album. The Serbian partnership of Mladen Pecovic, providing a guitar solo and Vladimir Djedovic (The Tilt) with the synthesiser arrangement fits in tightly and with a load of thumping bass from Scott Miller to lift the spirit, I just adore the result. ‘Innocent’ contains messy guitar and a multitude of thrash shredding. It was written by the bands’ other guitarist Sergio Giron, who is based in Spain at the moment due to Covid restrictions. Slightly off the wall and full of surprises, it’s really clever.
The band get Saxon’s Paul Quinn to add his wizardry on ‘Put To The Sword’, from hearing the initial stick beating, it’s apparent that the monstrous energy emitting from this number will lead to totally pulverised metal heaven. Wow, the pace is relentless and thunderous, while the strong vocal presence of Guy Miller holds it all together with a rousing chorus. ‘The Cold Surface of The Moon’ reflects just that, but with a heavy ambiance and some serious riffs. Menacing and with injections of the finest British Metal, it’s a keeper. ‘I’ll Live Again’ carries on with the pounding axe effect and reaches some higher levels. It has some quieter interludes and gentle moments but the guitar solos win it for me. Track ten ‘The Storm Kings’ has another prestigious guest, this time by way of Tom Draper, from Carcass, who lends a couple of hands for another epic guitar solo. Well, you just have to listen to it, an incredible feat of musical engineering and hats off for this collaboration. Penultimate track is ‘The Huntress’ over 4 minutes long and a further demonstration of how Primitai can absorb themselves into your head. The orchestral finale at nearly Seven and a half minutes in length is ‘Prophecies’, which means a prediction of the future and in this case I can predict the album ‘Violence Of The Skies’ is going to rise high in the charts for Primitai, who will get some well deserved credit for their work.
What an amazing piece of work, Primitai can boast as having more elements than the periodic table. This new album is a lot stronger than its predecessor ’The Calling’ from 2018 and its mind blowing as just how much is encapsulated in these 12 original songs.
4.5/5
Released by Roar - Rock of Angels Records ‘Violence Of The Skies’ is out on 26th March
Pre-order;
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Art by Stan Decker (Megadeth, Dragonforce)
Keep up to date with Primitai;
https://www.facebook.com/primitai
New single and video “The Uprising” out now
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