Redemption at the Puritan's Hand

Last updated

Redemption at the Puritan's Hand
Redemption at the Puritan's Hand.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedApril 26, 2011
RecordedNovember - December 2010 [1]
StudioFoel Studio (Llanfair Caereinion, Wales)
Genre Black metal, Celtic metal, folk metal
Length63:56
Label Metal Blade
Producer Chris Fielding
Primordial chronology
To the Nameless Dead
(2007)
Redemption at the Puritan's Hand
(2011)
Where Greater Men Have Fallen
(2014)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
About.com Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Exclaim.ca Favorable [4]
Popmatters 9/10 [5]
Sputnik MusicStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [6]
Metal Storm 9/10 [7]

Redemption at the Puritan's Hand is the seventh studio album by Irish extreme metal band Primordial, recorded at Foel Studio, Wales, with producer Chris Fielding and released on April 26, 2011. The album charted in Finland (#23), Germany (#31), Sweden (#54) and Switzerland (#90). [8]

Contents

Theme

When asked to describe the album, vocalist A.A. Nemtheanga remarked "this is the 'death' album. Plain and simple." [9] Averill explained that, while Redemption At The Puritan's Hand is not a concept album, "many of the themes deal with mortality [and] how we deal with it. The spiritual structures we place around us to make sense of it. Sex, death, procreation and god. As we get older our relationship to our lives changes, the realization you will not live forever, the grand plan you hoped to uncover never materializes, food for worms and nothing more." [9]

Averill used this theme to mount a critique of religious belief, and particularly the notion of spiritual redemption:

We all seek redemption in one way or another, from lies or from truth. Those of us who are godless or faithless often envy the man of faith for his life seems to have an extra purpose, despite the fact that logic, pragmatism, science and realism should crush any sign of faith, we still persist in lying to ourselves. Perhaps the alternative is too much to bear. So the themes of religion, mortality and death occur over and over again, along with continuing themes of alienation, martyrdom, sacrifice, violence and retribution. [9]

Track listing

All lyrics are written by A.A. Nemtheanga

No.TitleMusicLength
1."No Grave Deep Enough"Ciáran MacUiliam7:10
2."Lain with the Wolf"MacUiliam8:25
3."Bloodied Yet Unbowed"Micheál O'Floinn8:47
4."God's Old Snake"MacUiliam6:25
5."The Mouth of Judas"MacUiliam8:53
6."The Black Hundred"MacUiliam6:19
7."The Puritan's Hand"Pól MacAmlaigh8:36
8."Death of the Gods"O'Floinn, MacUiliam9:21
Total length:63:56

Credits

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deicide (band)</span> American death metal band

Deicide is an American death metal band formed in Tampa, Florida in 1987 by drummer/composer Steve Asheim and guitarist brothers Eric and Brian Hoffman as "Carnage", then hiring bassist/vocalist/lyricist Glen Benton and becoming "Amon". They would later change the band name to Deicide in 1989. The band rose to mainstream success in 1992 with their second album Legion, and is credited as the second-best-selling death metal band of the Soundscan Era, after Cannibal Corpse. Since their debut album in 1990, Deicide has released thirteen studio albums, one live album, two compilation albums and two live DVDs. In November 2003, their first two albums, Deicide and Legion, were ranked second and third place respectively in best-selling death metal albums of the SoundScan era. Deicide is known for their lyrics, which cover topics such as Satanism, anti-Christianity and blasphemy. Their lyrics have resulted in bans, lawsuits and criticism from religious groups and the public.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faith No More</span> American rock band

Faith No More is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1979. Before September 1983, the band performed under the names Sharp Young Men and later Faith No Man. Bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist/rhythm guitarist Roddy Bottum and drummer Mike Bordin are the longest-remaining members of the band, having been involved since its inception. The band underwent several early lineup changes, and some major changes later. The lineup of Faith No More consists of Gould, Bordin, Bottum, lead guitarist Jon Hudson, and vocalist/lyricist Mike Patton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Killswitch Engage</span> American metalcore band

Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999 after the disbanding of Overcast and Aftershock. Killswitch Engage's current lineup consists of vocalist Jesse Leach, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, bassist Mike D'Antonio, and drummer Justin Foley. The band has released eight studio albums and three live performance albums. Their eighth studio album, Atonement, was released on August 16, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paradise Lost (band)</span> British gothic metal band

Paradise Lost are an English gothic metal band. Formed in Halifax, West Yorkshire in 1988, they are considered to be among the pioneers of the death-doom genre and regarded as the main influence for the later gothic metal movement. Bands that have cited Paradise Lost as an influence, or have covered them, include My Dying Bride, Anathema, The Gathering, Amorphis, Cradle of Filth, Katatonia, Moonspell, Lacuna Coil, HIM, Nightwish and many others. As of 2005, Paradise Lost have sold over two million albums worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Running Wild (band)</span> German heavy metal band

Running Wild is a German heavy metal band formed in Hamburg in 1976. They were part of the German metal scene to emerge in the early to mid-1980s, and are also considered to be one of the country's so-called "big four" of power metal, along with Grave Digger, Helloween and Rage. Over the course of their career, they have released 17 studio albums, three live albums, five compilation albums, and six singles/EPs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Destruction (band)</span> German thrash metal band

Destruction is a German thrash metal band formed in 1982. They have been credited as one of the "Big Four" of the German thrash metal scene, the others being Kreator, Sodom and Tankard. In addition to helping pioneer black metal, Destruction was part of the second wave of thrash metal in the mid-to-late 1980s, along with American bands Testament, Sacred Reich, Death Angel and Dark Angel. For most of the 1990s, the band was not signed to a record label and self-produced their albums until they signed a contract with Nuclear Blast in the early 2000s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Primordial (band)</span> Irish extreme metal band

Primordial are an Irish extreme metal band from Skerries, County Dublin. The band was formed in 1993 by bassist Pól MacAmhlaigh and guitarist Ciarán MacUiliam. Their sound blends black metal and doom metal with Celtic music.

<i>Spiritual Healing</i> (album) 1990 studio album by Death

Spiritual Healing is the third studio album by American death metal band Death, released on February 16, 1990, by Combat Records. It is the band's only album to feature both guitarist James Murphy and bassist Terry Butler and the last to feature drummer Bill Andrews.

<i>The Gathering Wilderness</i> 2005 studio album by Primordial

The Gathering Wilderness is the fifth studio album by Irish extreme metal band Primordial, released in 2005. It was their debut for the Metal Blade label. The digipak comes with a bonus DVD featuring a documentary detailing the making of the album. The album is in part dedicated to the memory of Quorthon.

Believer is an American technical thrash metal band from the late 1980s and early 1990s, that plays a hybrid of thrash and progressive metal. Believer is known for its innovative use of symphonic elements in thrash metal, featuring some of the earliest examples of symphonic metal. Their lyrics deal with topics of philosophy, theology and social issues.

<i>Imrama</i> 1995 studio album by Primordial

Imrama is the debut studio album by Irish extreme metal band Primordial. It was originally released in 1995. In 2001, it was re-issued by Hammerheart Records with two bonus tracks. It was reissued again, this time by Metal Blade Records in 2009 as CD/DVD digipack in slipcase. It is a part of collector series of the first 4 albums reissues.

<i>Spirit the Earth Aflame</i> 2000 studio album by Primordial

Spirit the Earth Aflame is the third studio album by Irish extreme metal band Primordial. It was originally released in 2000.

<i>Storm Before Calm</i> 2002 studio album by Primordial

Storm Before Calm is the fourth studio album by Irish extreme metal band Primordial. It was originally released in 2002.

<i>To the Nameless Dead</i> 2007 studio album by Primordial

To the Nameless Dead is the sixth studio album by Irish extreme metal band Primordial, released in 2007. It is also available in a limited edition as a digibook, featuring a different cover design, a 40-page booklet, and a bonus DVD. The album was recorded at Foel Studio, Wales, with producer Chris Fielding. It was recorded using all analog equipment and using mostly first or second takes for the final recording, making for a more raw and spontaneous sound.

<i>The Burning Season</i> (EP) 1999 EP by Primordial

The Burning Season is the first EP by Irish extreme metal band Primordial, released in 1999. The title track would be featured on their follow-up full-length Spirit the Earth Aflame as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alan Averill</span> Irish vocalist

Alan Maurice Averill is an Irish musician most notable for his vocal duties for the extreme metal band Primordial. He has also participated in several side projects, including Void of Silence, Blood Revolt, and Twilight of the Gods.

Blood Revolt are a black metal band featuring A.A. Nemtheanga of Primordial along with J. Read and Vermin, who previously played together in Axis of Advance and Revenge. Described as "intensely militaristic", Blood Revolt attracted controversy with its 2010 debut, Blood Revolt, due to lyrical content that assumed the perspective of a suicide bomber. Nemtheanga explained that the violence of the lyrics was based in realistic subject matter rather than "cartoon imagery or fantastical pseudo religious hocus pocus". For Nemtheanga, the subject matter is more effective owing to its realism:

this is the sniper filing down the pin before picking off innocents, this is the suicide bomber's sweaty greasy hand on the ignition, dead bodies piled in the politics of the mass grave. Unforgiving and unrelenting elitism.

<i>Where Greater Men Have Fallen</i> 2014 studio album by Primordial

Where Greater Men Have Fallen is the eighth studio album by Irish extreme metal band Primordial. The album was released on November 25, 2014, through Metal Blade Records. A music video for the track 'Babel's Tower' was released on November 24, 2014.

<i>Exile Amongst the Ruins</i> 2018 studio album by Primordial

Exile Amongst the Ruins is the ninth studio album by Irish extreme metal band Primordial. The album was released on March 30, 2018 through Metal Blade Records. It is the last album with Michael O'Floinn as the group's second guitarist.

<i>How It Ends</i> (Primordial album) 2023 studio album by Primordial

How It Ends is the tenth studio album by Irish extreme metal band Primordial. It was released on 29 September 2023 through Metal Blade Records and was produced by Chris Fielding.

References

  1. "PRIMORDIAL Rejoined By Drummer SIMON O'LAOGHAIRE; Band To Enter Studio In November". Blabbermouth . 16 October 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  2. Bowar, Chad. "Primordial - 'Redemption At The Puritan's Hand'". About.com . Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  3. https://www.allmusic.com/album/r2159747
  4. Wiebe, Laura (28 April 2011). "Primordial Redemption at the Puritan's Hand". Exclaim.ca . Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  5. Begrand, Adrien (26 April 2011). "Primordial: Redemption at the Puritan's Hand". Popmatters . Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  6. Ward, Kyle (9 May 2011). "Primordial Redemption At The Puritan's Hand". Sputnik Music. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  7. "Primordial - Redemption At The Puritan's Hand review". Metal Storm . Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  8. PRIMORDIAL Frontman Interviewed In Bucharest (Video) - May 25, 2011.
  9. 1 2 3 "PRIMORDIAL Frontman Discusses Forthcoming Album". Blabbermouth . 14 February 2011. Retrieved 14 October 2013.