Lilla Veneda – Primordial Movements
Release Date: 29th February 2024
Label: Self Released
Bandcamp
Genre: Death Metal, Black Metal.
FFO: Hath, Behemoth, The Negative Bias, Decapitated.
Review By: Carlos Tirado
Approaching Primordial Movements with considerable optimism, I questioned whether it lived up to the hype. Solid, dense, and durable—these adjectives encapsulate the essence of the album’s riffs. Each riff packs the punch of a cannonball, impeccably tight without any room for aimless meandering. While Lilla Veneda primarily fits within the Death metal genre, their sound draws heavily from Hath, with unmistakable echoes of Behemoth’s intensity and directness (as evidenced in tracks like Iron Black Pestilence). Their technical prowess is balanced by an atmospheric quality reminiscent of bands like Septicflesh, exemplified in tracks like Biomechanic Algorithm and Immortal Visions of Chaos, where the album reaches its zenith.
The mechanical riffing, synchronized with blastbeats that could easily rupture eardrums at high volume, blends seamlessly with vocal variations and occasional acoustic interludes that provide brief respite from the onslaught. However, I must note that the bass feels somewhat subdued in the mix, playing a more discreet role. Despite its merits, Primordial Movements is not without its drawbacks.
I must address a significant concern: whether due to the streaming format or not, this album stands as the loudest, most “brick wall” production I’ve encountered in my tenure at Metal Epidemic. Achieving such intensity in contemporary extreme metal production is no small feat. Typically, I adjust my gear to 30% to 40% volume to fully experience the details of a record, yet with this album, I find myself lowering it to a mere 15% to 25% to spare my eardrums. Additionally, some riffs feel overly familiar in a way any guitarist or bassist could tell.
Despite the potential auditory assault, listening to Primordial Movements was an enjoyable experience. True to its title, the album maintains a delicate balance, never veering too far into Tech Death or Prog metal territory. Lilla Veneda shows promise, and with some adjustments, particularly in the production department, they could ascend to the upper echelons of the metal scene.
(3.5 / 5)
