Fans: 3,131
1987 Genesis of the band. C. Macuilliam and P. MacAmhlaigh begin as very young teenagers in the outskirts of County Dublin with the original drummer learning their instruments playing covers of bands like Slayer, Sepultura, D.R.I and Sodom among others.
1988 Still finding their feet the band records a very primitive 4 track demo. Most probably the first Death Metal band in Ireland as thrash and straight forward heavy metal was far more common. However it isn’t released and no one knows about the band.
1989 – 1990 The band continues learning their instruments, going through singers and playing a few local gigs in their area of North County Dublin.
1991 The band, at this point named Mortus, place an ad looking for a vocalist in a well-known underground metal shop in Dublin. It is answered by a young A.A.Nemtheanga and in August of 1991 the band become four and begins work on writing songs for their debut demo. It becomes obvious that the band have far more in common with the burgeoning second wave of Black Metal which is lurking in the shadows of the underground.
1992 The process of song writing continues. Many songs are discarded as the band try and find their sound. Looking back to the 80s the band finds inspiration in the old Gods like Bathory, Candlemass, Sabbat, Celtic Frost, Hellhammer and Kreator amongst others. This mixed with the sound and energy of the second wave and a growing interest in Irish traditional music, history and culture helps forge the beginnings of the band’s sound. The band also begins to play some shows in Dublin under the name Forsaken. In December of that year they change their name to Primordial.
1993 In the summer the band records their first and only demo, the now classic “Dark Romanticism”. Recorded for 50 pounds, on 8 tracks in about 6 hours it becomes a strong and serious statement of the band’s intent and they begin to spread their name through flyering and tape trading. It goes on to sell 1200 copies and the band start to get label interest from various countries.
1994 The band keeps on writing songs and in the late summer of 1994 sign with Cacophonous Records from London. They record their debut album “Imrama” in the winter of 1994 in the same small front room studio they recorded their demo. Once finished it becomes obvious the band and engineer’s limited studio knowledge renders the album un-releasable as it sounds. The band also plays their first show outside of Ireland on the back of their demo in London at a 2 day festival with Bal Sagoth and Occult among others.
1995 The band remixes the album in Academy Studios in Yorkshire with Mags. It now sounds like an album should, capturing the band’s energy and youthful exuberance as well as could be hoped under the circumstances. The songs, even for a debut at the height of Black Metal’s second wave, are at odds with the scene and an air of Irish melancholy permeates the atmosphere. Cacophonous finally release the CD in September of 1995 nearly 11 months after it was recorded. It sells well despite no foreign press interviews and little advertisement. The band undertakes a small and now legendary mini tour of the UK together with Sigh from Japan and Hecate Enthroned. The band support Cradle of Filth and Gorgoroth at the Astoria in London. The biggest show the band has played so far.
1996 The promises of tours come and go and nothing seems to go right for the band. Relations between the members are strained and with the exception of a few shows in Ireland…
1997 …very little happens. One show in Ireland. After a huge fight in rehearsal the original drummer is thrown out of the band. The band is in a state of limbo and the future of it is in doubt. The band recruits an old school friend of A.A.N, and then Geasa drummer, S.O Laoghaire and resurrect themselves. Playing 2 shows later that year supporting Mayhem in the UK. The band also split from Cacophonous Records, sign with Misanthropy Records, releasing a split 10” with Katatonia limited to 777.
1998 The band drags their personal grievances to Academy in the early part of the year to record their second album “Journeys End”. With barely 70% of the album prepared it turns out to be a dark milestone for the band, restating their credentials and a further example of their individuality. It is released later that year by Misanthropy Records. For the first time the band get to speak to the foreign press. However more tours are cancelled and in the end Misanthropy themselves fold. The band makes a disastrous alcohol poisoned appearance at Wacken Open Air, their first in Europe. Thankfully not many people see it and the band live and learn.
1999 Again left without a label the band move again, this time to Hammerheart Records from the Netherlands and record “The Burning Season” MCD, a new found solidity and focus is within the band and they play a small mini tour together with Hades Almighty from Norway and headline a small tour of Portugal at the end of the year.
2000 Now beginning to find their feel playing live the band undertakes two small mini tours together with Thyrfing earlier in the year. The band brings Mags from Academy studios to Dublin and over 20 days record “Spirit the Earth Aflame”. The album is received incredibly well by the European press and is the fastest selling HHR album to date. The band also starts to play festivals for the first time during this summer as a 5 piece as Arcane Sun guitar player Fergal Flannery joins on second live guitar. Later that year they embark on their first ever full European tour with Immortal.
2001 The band doesn’t play many shows in 2001 and Fergal’s tenure within the band is short lived. Replaced by M. O Floinn. The band starts work on writing their 4th album. Problems begin to emerge with Hammerheart Records. The band’s first two albums “Imrama” and “Journeys End” are re-released by HHR.
2002 The band begin recording as a 4 piece in Yorkshire together with Mags. Through much stress, financial and legal problems “Storm Before Calm” is recorded. The band plays a few Irish shows, a few festivals and a mini tour with Mercenary and Callenish Circle. Hammerheart are in financial trouble and drop the ball with “Storm”, the press is again excellent but the promotion and artwork somewhat lacking.
2003 The band head out on a European tour together with Rotting Christ and Enthroned. The promotion for the tour is poor to non-existent but the band performs well. The band realise they have to try and find another label. They tour once again with Ancient Rites, Thyrfing and Septic Flesh among others and visit both Romania and Bulgaria with Negura Bunget and play Greece for the first time. The band goes into hibernation over the winter spending most of the time involved in legal matters.
2004 The band play a couple of shows here and there and finally agree a deal with Metal Blade Records from Germany. HHR essentially dissolves with the re-release of “Dark Romanticism” as a parting gift. The band records their fifth album “The Gathering Wilderness” in Dublin together with Billy Anderson. The band attempt to head in a rawer more live sound. The press receive the album again incredibly and sales improve in a dwindling marketplace. It also marks M O Floinns first creative contribution to the band, breaking with tradition.
2005 The Majority of 2005 is spent doing mini tours and playing festivals. The band play in some new territories like Finland and most of the summer seems to be spent sitting around in fields all over Europe waiting to play or staggering around causing trouble after playing… Again however the big tour eludes the band after not only the Xmass Festival collapses then a festival tour with Morbid Angel disappears…
2006 The band play their first show in America, a festival entitled “The Heathen Crusade”. They decide to bring the idea to Europe and do a small headlining tour of Europe together with Moonsorrow and Mourning Beloveth. They play a handful more festivals around Europe and their biggest show in Ireland supporting Opeth also. The slow and painful process of song writing also begins.
2007 While writing songs the band play a handful of shows mainly in Germany before entering Foel Studios in North Wales during the monsoon summer. Over 2 weeks the bands 6th album and second for Metal Blade is recorded.
2008 Primordial spent 2008 touring across Europe. Most notably were appearances at summer festivals including: Sweden Rock Fest, Hellfest, Tuska Open Air, Graspop, With Full Force, Wacken Open Air & Summer Breeze. On top of the many festival appearances, Primordial appeared on the Heidenfest tour in the fall with Finntroll, Eluveitie & Catamenia.
2009 This year will see Primordial on their first ever US tour as part of the second instalment of Paganfest USA. This year’s Paganfest includes Korpiklaani, Eluvietie, Moonsorrow, Blackguard & Swashbuckle.
Line-up:
A. A. Nemtheanga - vocals
Ciaran MacUiliam - guitars
Michael O’Floinn - guitars
Paul MacAmlaigh - bass
Simon O’Laoghaire - drums
