Review: Primal – Iron Age
Primal have returned with a solid EP of thrashing heavy metal entitled ‘Iron
Age.’ For the uninitiated, Primal is the latest metal act featuring head axe
slinger extraordinaire Glenn Rogers formerly of Deliverance, HERO, Steel
Vengeance, Vengeance Rising, Hirax and a host of others.
A long prestigious musical heritage Rogers brings. This is the third release
under the banner of Primal. However Glenn isn’t the only metal veteran here.
Vocalist Alberto Zamarbide hails originally from Argentina where he fronted
V8 and Logos both legendary underground metal bands in Argentina. He
delivers a smooth baritone metal vocal. You won’t find screams or extreme
vocals here, but a powerful clean and strong vocal.
Drummer Jorge Iacobellis played previously for Hirax, Silversteel. Bassist
Cesar Ceregatti played for Steel Vengeance, Max Blam Jam and Final
Decree. Both are exceptional musicians in their own right.
Iron Age delivers a solid metal pedigree and with it a solid metal offing.
Heavy with melody. Make no mistake this isn’t Stryper and this isn’t
Impending Doom. There are elements of thrash and elements of traditional
heavy metal. The riffs that Glenn delivers are strong, metallic and powerful.
The opening track ‘Iron Age’ has an early Deliverance vibe to it. A great
breakdown which tears into a shredding guitar solo.
‘Mirror’ follows up with a slower pace but a solid riff with a bit more hook laden
melody. The staccato like break before the chorus delivers, Cesar and Jorge
lock in and deliver a brilliant break. The ole head getting swaying and swirling
then a tempo change which snaps into guitar solo. Some great drumming
from Jorge on this one.
The next five tracks are culled from some previously released material. First
up is the track ‘End Times’ from the “Humachine” release of 2023. However
this version is in Spanish which previously had been unreleased in the U.S.A.
‘Firefight’ barrels its way next, also from the same previous album, but is an
uptempo metal barrage that demands your attention.
Both “Wisdom” and “The Gates” are a bit rawer in sound, snagged from the
bands 2016 self titled debut. Lastly we are treated to a cover of a track by
vocalist Alberto’s original band V8. The song is entitled ‘Cautivos Del Sistema’
featuring Rudy Sarzo on bass! Sung in Spanish, this song delivers its
promised metal goods and then some!
This 7 track EP reminds me of one of those band samplers you would find
back in the day. A compilation of previously released material with a couple
of new tracks. Not a greatest hits per se, but still a great way to get an
overview of an up and coming act.
Iron Age by Primal is a juggernaut of metal goodness. Heavy with a solid
combination of thrash/traditional metal goodness to get the ole head moving
back in forth. Head bangers Enjoy!!
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