Well we have probably all had psychedelic episodes of some kind before and may even have introspectively studied death whilst in the grip of them so the title of this third album from Chesham based UK BM horde Primitive Graven Image does make some sense, despite its clunky title. I have to admit and I said this last album but I still have not managed to catch Primitive Graven Image live and I do feel really bad about that. I’m not going to get on my high horse again and go on about needles in haystacks about the state of British black metal but this lot are certainly a sharp needle amongst a load of straw and I am sure they are good live too. Having said that, unlike many who arrive on the scene at least they have not overplayed their hand and been on every single line up offered to them no matter how daft. This quartet have been around since 2005 and have members from quite a few bands present and past in their ranks so are not all new to playing by any means; the cast list includes In Eternum, Oracles Oath, Interlock, Empyreal Destroyer and it seems that drummer Lord Blast is also busy as current Abgott sticks man too.
The album is nicely presented and sounds great but it should do too as artist Matt Vickerstaff and mixer and masterer Russ Russell is concerned, so it really is the best of British all round.
‘Eye Of Existence’ batters down the doors from the off and there is some good solid drumming built around spiky and thorny fretwork with a great grasp of melody running through it. Ranging from mid to fast pace and bolstered by some nice rasping vocals this incessantly ploughs forward. There is a certain psychedelic intensity about it all and the progressive twists and turns of the guitars take things stellar-ward with screaming sharp cadences and neat solos. There is a lot going on to take in and this is a complex album that has taken me a lot longer than other more standard ones to break into and get a review written (for me the sign of a good album). Blast frenzy meets ‘Ten Thousand Armageddons’ and it is a thrash laden gallop that takes no prisoners here, war torn and furious. Just when you think it could implode things drop into a lush mellow acoustic part sounding like it is straight out of a classic rock number; the trip just took a turn.
There is no fat here just good solid and at times epic tracks. The group seemingly decided on ‘Slave To The Mannequin’ as the track to use as a digital single and to film a video clip for (available on their site). All I can say is it must have been a difficult choice. Starting with a classic sounding old school riff it powers into a furious passage that by all but sound matches the primitive and indeed graven part of the bands name very nicely. It sounds feudal and full of hate with echoing death grunts delivered for extra depth. As per the rest of the album the track never stands still for a second and again takes form over lots of progressive flourishes which really show off the playing skills of those involved. There is a central riff that often courses through things and after a couple of plays it will have you firmly in its grip. I guess if I was to mention another band as similar it would be Abgott but it is only a fleeting name check as the rasping cackle and dextrous weave of ‘Attack The Attacker’ take hold. This one again adds surprises with a clean vocal croon part that is really unexpected but melds in perfectly until a Hypocrisy flavoured whiplashing futuristic thrash out takes it to a giddy climax.
Flying up and down the scales with deranged intent ‘The Manical Laughter Of A Dying Man’ is a track that is as unhinged as its title. It has a thorough stomping groove about it and it sets about giving you a firm shaking due to the hefty drum battering and somewhat Emperor sounding progressive guitar melody. ‘The Killer The Philosopher And The Holy Man’ is another intriguing title and sounds a bit like a plot from a Jodorowsky film. It’s a stand out number with some warped spoken vocal parts and a gentle guitar part added amongst the fury which reminds a bit of Watain.
I just managed to get this review up in time for the album release which is today and along with the recent Saturnian album if you are looking for some excellent home grown British BM you should definitely check this out. Primitive Graven Image have put the Cruel back into Britannia again!
(8/10 Pete Woods)
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