With
Primordial and Winterfylleth both releasing new albums in 2014, it was a great
thing to see two bands like this on the same bill, to share material from their
latest releases. Having shared the bill in Manchester several years prior to
this run of gigs, the veterans Primordial released another in a long line of
stiring albums with 'Where Greater Men Have Fallen'; whereas Winterfylleth
released one of the absolute best albums of 2014 with 'The Divination of
Antiquity'.
With
Winterfylleth in the main support slot, Malthusian opened up the evenings
proceedings. Shrouded in murky blue lights for most of their thirty minute set,
the band mixed things up between blackened doom tempos and pure black metal
blasts, to warm the growing crowd admirably. The guttural vocals and chugging,
doomy pace were excellent throughout and set the scene for a great night.
One
of the great plus points of the nights gig, was the lengthier set time for
Winterfylleth. Having had their slot on the recent tour with Behemoth limited
to a mere 20 minutes, the band had time to really showcase their great talent.
With new guitarist Dan Capp stepping in for the run with Primordial, the band showed
why they are one of the leading lights in UK black metal.
Opening
with the title track from the bands latest release, Winterfylleth’s no frills
stage presence is one of the bands endearing features. There is no need for
black metal’s well known clichés to mask anything. The music is stunning; and
clad all in black, the band can really take their music to vast extremes. The
ferociousness of the blast beats and razor like guitars of 'The Divination of
Antiquity' make for a visceral experience, whereas the Iron Maiden-esque intro and
progressive pace to the mighty 'A Careworn Heart', is a thing of beauty. The
middle section of another new track; 'Whisper of the Elements' also provides
respite amongst its furious and snarling surroundings.
With
cherry picked tracks from the bands back catalogue making up the set,
Winterfylleth closed out their set with a glorious rendition of 'Defending The
Realm' from their debut full length long player; 'The Ghost of Heritage'. Leaving
the stage to rapturous applause from their hometown crowd, Winterfylleth again
proved why they’re one of the best bands England has to offer. The band is
playing several festivals around Europe this year, as well as a date in London
in March; try and catch them if you can.
Where
their Irish counterparts Malthusian, and brothers in arms Winterfylleth, are
established but still carving their legacies, Primordial are the relative
veterans of the scene. A scene that has embraced them, and seen their genesis
over time allow them to become one of the most respected and revered black metal
bands around.
‘Where
Greater Men Have Fallen’ is Primordial’s eight studio album, and it is the
follow up to the excellent ‘Redemption at the Puritans Hand’. On my initial
listens to the new album I struggled with it, and I’m not sure why. After
hearing more than half of it played live with the passion and vigour that
Primordial possess, the album has taken on a new verve in my conscious. The
opening track of the night and album title track is fantastic. Alan Averill’s
painted face, stage demeanour and deeply passionate vocals raise the track to
new levels. This is true of every single song that Primordial commits their
name too. Other new tracks that were aired were the epic ‘Babel’s Tower ‘(which
was accompanied by a fantastic video upon release), and the folk tinged ‘Wield
Lightening To Split The Sun’.
The
newer material sat very well with older tracks; which are rightfully deemed
classics. It was great to hear ‘Gods to the Godless’ played very early in the
set as it ensured the crowd were firmly on board with the staunch Eire natives.
‘The Coffin Ship’s’ from 2005 release, ‘The Gathering Wilderness’, is always a
musical journey that tugs at the heart strings due to the lyrical and epic
nature of the song. Averill’s emotional delivery of the sad story of the native
Irish attempting to escape the great famine of the mid 1800’s is amazing. Two
of the high points from ‘Redemption at the Puritans Hand’; ‘No Grave Deep
Enough’ and the anthemic ‘Bloodied Yet Unbowed’ gave strength to the bands
latter day output. The band finished their heroic set with classic rock tinged ‘Empire
Falls’ from 2007’s ‘To The Nameless Dead’. With hordes of Mancunian’s left
wanting more; Primordial exited the stage to exultant applause after giving
every ounce of what they had on stage.
Seeing
Primordial is an experience that never gets boring. Their chest beating anthems
and clinical musical delivery is magnificent. There only a few bands that can
truly hold sway over a crowd and have them in the palm of their hands for as
long as they like; Primordial are one such band. Assisted by the excellent
Malthusian, and quite superb Winterfylleth, I feel privileged to have witnessed
such a concert.
Words by:
Dominic Walsh
