Saturday 22 November 2014

Earth - Primitive & Deadly (Album Review)


Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 2/9/2014
Label: Southern Lord

‘Primitive & Deadly’CD/DD/LP track listing:

1). Torn by the Fox of the Crescent Moon (08:54)
2). There Is a Serpent Coming ((08:06)
3). From the Zodiacal Light (11:29)
4). Even Hell Has Its Heroes (09:43)
5). Rooks Across the Gates (09:03)
6). Badger's Bane (12:27) Vinyl only

The Band:

Dylan Carlson | guitars
Adrienne davies | drums and percussion
Bill Herzog | bass
Brett netson | additional guitars
Jodie cox | additional guitars
Mark lanegan | vocals
Rabia shabeen qazi | vocals
Randall dunn | moog synthesizer

Review:

For all his lethargic tempos, Dylan Carlson is not a man who lets his musical output stand still. Regular as clockwork he churns out Earth albums, always exploring a little bit more of his internal musical landscape. And apparently, it’s a case of blast of the past for ‘Primitive & Deadly’. Having previously filtered country and gospel through his own interpretation of desert dry psychadelica, Dylan Carlson has now turned his attentions to the music of his youth, like Diamond Head and AC/DC.

Not quite the most obvious influences for a band whose chords hang in the air like a heat haze, but that's the genius of Dylan. ‘Torn By The Fox Of The Crescent Moon’ opens this piece, and any seasoned Earth fan will know, there in for something a little different: that opening chord bursts with a menace that hasn't been seen in Earth since their pre-millennial hiatus.

There's plenty of guitar hero flourishes from Dylan, even a touch of soloing on ‘Even Hell Has Its Heroes’. That's not the only thing that harks back to the early days, as Mark Langegan and Rabia Shaheen Qaz from Rose Windows adding their considerable vocal talents to a few tracks with devastating effect. Without the addition of celloist Lori Goldstein, it feels like a back to basics for this now trio, of them taking the opportunity to fill the space they graciously left for a collaborator of such a calibre.

Adrienne Davies and bassist Bill Herzog smoothly fill in the sonic gaps with a glee that's evident right the way through to ‘Rooks Across The Gate’. This is trademark Earth, the hoarse whisper beckoning you to come closer to listen to what they have to say. For those who have the patience to listen to the hidden depths, you will not be disappointed.

Words by: Steve R. Jones

You can pick up a copy here and here

For more information: