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Q. Hi Primordial, I guess everyone in the band is gearing up for Paganfest 2 kicking off on April 28th at the Opera House in Toronto?
Alan Nemtheanga: Korpiklaani is headling. We are looking forward to a new challenge, meeting new people and travelling to new places.
Q. On April 25th you will be sharing the stage with Dark Tranquillity, Aura Noir, Behemoth and many more at the Karmoygeddon Metal Festival in Norway will you be covering Primordial videos at both this event and Paganfest 2?
Alan Nemtheanga: If you mean are we videoing the shows then possibly. Nothing has been planned yet. I might have a video camera with me.
Q. I really dig Primordial’s live performance in their video Empires Fall the way the band started out with their kick ass guitar riff solo that captivated their audience and then their explosive sound , Alans powerful vocals, mean guitar riffs coming from Cairan, Michael and Pol and Simons awesome drum sound he never misses a beat. I don’t know why but this song reminds me of a ancient war scene where a Trojan horse army comes into the scene for the purpose of killing innocents. Where on location was Empires Fall filmed at?
Alan Nemtheanga: That version of Empire Falls was filmed live in Dublin in January 2008. It should be written on the tag on youtube. It's really written like a classic Metal song and is one of the only Primordial songs with a conventional chorus. Perhaps one of the reasons it's so popular.
Q. There is something about your album “To the Nameless Dead” that brings on goose bumps when I listen to your song tracks and lyrics they remind me of the folklore stories of civil and religious wars that took place in Ireland something my grandfather told me about for years about our homeland is there a little bit of this history in your lyrics?
Alan Nemtheanga: Of course. If you read the lyrics you will see that, or look at the liner notes etc. Primordial however is not exclusively Irish. The themes are universal so no matter where you are from you should be able to see yourself in them. The themes of sacrifice, alienation and martyrdom are common to all.
Q. What historic events or folklore inspired or motivated Primordial to come up with the themes of sacrifice and martyrdom in this Album?
Alan Nemtheanga: Too many significant events to all list, the themes are universal. The nameless dead are the people who gave their lives as grist to the mill of empires. building and fighting against. Sacrifices for their homeland, idealism or their future.
Q. when it comes to Primordial’s song writing do all the band members contribute to the lyrics?
Alan Nemtheanga: No. I write all the lyrics. We all contribute to the music and arrange it but largely it comes from one of the guitar/bass-ists.
Q. The song tracks from “To the Nameless Dead “create strong imagery will the band be coming up with music videos from this Album?
Alan Nemtheanga: There is a video of some description planned for Empire Falls but so far nothing has been finished or finalised. Maybe during the Summer we might finish that.
Q. Who helps with the recording, mixing and mastering of all Primordial’s music production and do all the band members share the same influences for their music and like to experiment and try new things?
A.A. Nemtheanga (Vocals)
Ciáran MacUiliam (Guitars)
Michael O'Floinn (Guitars)
Pól MacAmlaigh (Bass)
Simon O'Laoghaire (Drums)
Alan Nemtheanga: Whoever we hire helps us. Last time was Chris Fielding in Foel Studios in Wales. We share influences of course but we don't feel constrained or limited by anything. We have our own style.
Q. Can you tell us about Imrama, such as the song tracks and unreleased demos and live recordings does this Album have a darker sound than your previous releases?
Alan Nemtheanga: This is the first album. Our demo from 93 and a live dvd show from 1994 are the bonus material. Raw, rough and old school. It shows where we came from. I think the music now is darker but it was dark then of course also.
Q. Rumor has it that Primordial is writing songs for a new Album can you give the fans some hints about the song themes and sound for this new project?
Alan Nemtheanga: So far nothing. We are just beginning the process now. It's too early to tell anything yet.
Q. Out of all the tours Primordial has played in the past which favorite country or music venue stands out in your minds and why?
Alan Nemtheanga: Thankfully too many to mention singling one in particular country. Last year we had some great shows in unexpected places...Norway, Finland, France and Sweden. We have hardcore fans everywhere.
Q. How would you describe your rehearsals are they the type where all the band mates come together to practice before live gigs or are they the type where all the band mates work together laying the song tracks down for new material?
Alan Nemtheanga: We do both. We don't rehearse that much as we live quite far away but we do something when we have to. Writing or playing shows.
Q. what is Primordial’s focus for 2009 will their career objectives be on both touring and writing new material for another Album?
Alan Nemtheanga: Right now, North American tour, some summer festivals, re-release all the other old albums 2,3 and 4. Finish our dvd. write songs...
Q. Before we wrap up our interview does the band have any shout outs for friends and fans?
Alan Nemtheanga: joy and strength. be well..
I would like to thank Primordial and Metal Blade Records for this interview opportunity. Horns High You Rock! HMTV Canada
