Primal Age - The Gearwheels Of Time
Primal Age has always been focused on two things: delivering a message and making sure fans damn well listen. In order to accomplish this they've relied on their aggressive, crushing hardcore and inspirational lyrics, delving into a more technical and melodic side of the genre with each album so they continue catching fans' interest while at the same time maintaining a strong sense of direction that goes over with the band's satisfactions. Their latest album, The Gearwheels Of Time, is another inspirational set that steps away from the traditional hardcore chug and short tracks while opting for a more melodic output without lacking any aggression.
Fans will find themselves on a teetering balance, however. Tracks like "A Fire Consumes My Heart" and "My Dear Freedom" are extreme chuggers with little regard for variation from the typical hardcore bands such as Hatebreed, Terror, and others who tend to sound all the same. The vocals are a deep, gutteral roar that border death metal sometimes, but are for the most part easily falling into the hardcore vein. The drums are almost always in sync with the guitars, which helps with the groove factors. But, at the same time, it is difficult to factor so much interesting groove when many of the riffs sound the same and are repetitive.
There are some interesting tracks that show more than just repetition, though. While half the album is thick hardcore groove, the other is more technical and melodic. "Symphony Of Dreams" is remarkably soft and foreboding with a simple few guitar notes. It's the most repetitive track on the album, but the lack of instrument presence and also the fact that there's no other track like it on the album really makes it a stand out track for the band. "Nothing To..." has more melody incorporated with the guitars while the drums maintain a constant beat that isn't as in sync as the other tracks, but still ejoyable. The backing vocals also provide a unique chorus of 'gang vocals.' "What Makes Us Submit..." has a thicker sound, thanks to the bass, and a great bass intro. "The Dead Shell" is what really breaks the ice for the band as the guitars are more layered, and there's even some punk influence in the mix. If this a sign of the direction of Primal Age, then musical structures like this will surely be welcomed among fans.
Like every album, Primal Age just seem to be getting better and better. This album is certainly more diverse and stepping out of the hardcore boundaries and more into 'modern metal.' Overall, fans will probably love this change because it also takes them one step away from sounding like so many other bands. There's still a lot of mainstream hardcore influence within the music, but The Gearwheels Of Time is a still a real testament to how much Primal Age is dedicated to keep finding a way to make their sound stand out compared to all the others. There's no way they'll be slipping into the blackness of mediocrity any time soon.
Fans will find themselves on a teetering balance, however. Tracks like "A Fire Consumes My Heart" and "My Dear Freedom" are extreme chuggers with little regard for variation from the typical hardcore bands such as Hatebreed, Terror, and others who tend to sound all the same. The vocals are a deep, gutteral roar that border death metal sometimes, but are for the most part easily falling into the hardcore vein. The drums are almost always in sync with the guitars, which helps with the groove factors. But, at the same time, it is difficult to factor so much interesting groove when many of the riffs sound the same and are repetitive.
There are some interesting tracks that show more than just repetition, though. While half the album is thick hardcore groove, the other is more technical and melodic. "Symphony Of Dreams" is remarkably soft and foreboding with a simple few guitar notes. It's the most repetitive track on the album, but the lack of instrument presence and also the fact that there's no other track like it on the album really makes it a stand out track for the band. "Nothing To..." has more melody incorporated with the guitars while the drums maintain a constant beat that isn't as in sync as the other tracks, but still ejoyable. The backing vocals also provide a unique chorus of 'gang vocals.' "What Makes Us Submit..." has a thicker sound, thanks to the bass, and a great bass intro. "The Dead Shell" is what really breaks the ice for the band as the guitars are more layered, and there's even some punk influence in the mix. If this a sign of the direction of Primal Age, then musical structures like this will surely be welcomed among fans.
Like every album, Primal Age just seem to be getting better and better. This album is certainly more diverse and stepping out of the hardcore boundaries and more into 'modern metal.' Overall, fans will probably love this change because it also takes them one step away from sounding like so many other bands. There's still a lot of mainstream hardcore influence within the music, but The Gearwheels Of Time is a still a real testament to how much Primal Age is dedicated to keep finding a way to make their sound stand out compared to all the others. There's no way they'll be slipping into the blackness of mediocrity any time soon.
- A Fire Consumes My Heart
- Eyes But Not Sight Of Bleeding
- Genetically Murdurer Organism
- Symphony Of Dreams
- Nothing To...
- My Dear Freedom
- What Makes Us Submit Ourselves
- Underworld
- Opposite Forces
- The Dead Shell
- Hand For Hope
- The Eternal Struggle
- Dictation Of Beauty (cover Morning Again)
Deadlight Entertainment
Reviewer: Colin McNamara
Oct 4, 2010
Oct 4, 2010
Next review:
Mammutant - Atomizer
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