Primordial – How It Ends
Release Date: 29th September 2023
Label: Metal Blade Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Folk Metal, Black Metal, Doom Metal.
FFO: Moonsorrow, Enslaved, Bathory, Windir.
Review By: Carlos Tirado
Primordial has the distinction of making Folk metal sound respectable. With over 30 years of storytelling, delving into the darkest moments in human history, I can confidently say that there’s no hint of corniness in whatever it decides to undertake. In fact, it boasts the (probably) highest honor of holding one of the few 5/5 albums in my collection. I’m, of course, referring to, To The Nameless Death. As you can see, expectations are exceedingly high, and following up on this reputation and its previous installments has proven to be a formidable task for the band. Although I found Where Greater Men Have Fallen enjoyable, Exile exhibited the typical challenges associated with extended song durations. Consequently, I approached How it Ends with a significant dose of skepticism.
In a way, How it Ends adheres to the established formula, but not without subtle variations here and there. Yes, this is Primordial performing its characteristic hypnotic and pagan-inspired metal, but there’s also a deeper exploration of the Black/Doom elements within its sound. The album is replete with melancholic riffs and emotional depth. That essence remains intact even when Primordial verges on repetition; it still possesses the capacity to evoke powerful emotions.
There’s a heightened focus on guitar work and vocal phrasing this time around. These elements tend to bookend each track, taking center stage. Furthermore, there’s a deliberate emphasis on one or two primary riffs to carry the thematic weight of the songs (How It Ends, Death Holy Death, Victory Has 1000 Fathers, and Defeat Is an Orphan). The vocal delivery, haunting and sorrowful as always, leaves no room for complaint. This arrangement can be emotionally impactful when executed effectively, yet at times, it teeters on the verge of staleness. We find moments of brilliance coexisting with those that simply fail to leave a lasting impression.
The extended duration of many tracks might be responsible for the uneven feeling one could get here. At times, they linger in one place longer than desired, challenging my limited attention span. Lengthy intros and outros, spanning two to three minutes, often lack the middle’s spectacular allure, making it a struggle to remain fully engaged. Once more, the album’s Achilles’ heel is excessive length. However, let me not cast an entirely negative shadow. How it Ends remains an enjoyable album, even though it introduces little novelty to the fold. Notably, All Against All boldly flirts with proper Black metal, carving a distinctive niche in the band’s catalogue. For ardent fans, this album offers an array of captivating tracks to savor. So, if you count yourself among that devoted circle, this stands yet another solid release. However, if you were anticipating a return to past glories, brace yourself, for this is how it ends.
(3 / 5)
