Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Primordial Where Greater Men Have Fallen Company: Metal Blade Release: 2014 Genre: Heavy Reviewer: Greg Watson

Impassioned

Blackened folk metal outfit Primordial return from the Emerald Isle with their eighth album, "Where Greater Men Have Fallen". This album is one of their best to date, easily ranking up there with "To The Nameless Dead" and making a strong case to surpass it as the best album the band have put together. From the opening of "Where Greater Men Have Fallen", the guitars and drums are in perfect sync and produce a great driving riff that just grows and embellishes as the song continues. Singer A.A. Nemtheanga's voice is so distinct and so incredible that it always feels as though he takes the music to another stratosphere with his impassioned singing. The track "The Seed of Tyrants" takes the band back in the direction of their traditional black metal sounding days with the more snarled vocals, blast beats and speedy riffs galore. Overall, the whole album is a great microcosm of what the band are all about, which is creating an album that exudes passion and emotion while still allowing the music to be heavy and melodic at the same time. The one rough spot on the album comes in the form of the song "The Alchemist's Head". This track just feels glaringly out of place and seems to be almost filler taking away from the overall quality of the album. That said however, "Where Greater Men Have Fallen" is an album that will have you punching your fists in the air and garnering a new appreciation for this band if you're a longtime fan or blowing your mind on first listen. Definitely go out and check this one out.