The Gathering Wilderness
| Band | |
|---|---|
| Type | Album (Studio full-length) |
| Released | February 7, 2005 |
| Genres | Black Metal, Folk Metal |
| Labels | Metal Blade Records |
| Length | 59:34 |
The Gathering Wilderness Information
Track listing (Songs)
| title | rating | votes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | The Golden Spiral | 8:03 | 92.5 | 2 | |
| 2. | The Gathering Wilderness | 9:13 | 75 | 2 | |
| 3. | The Song of the Tomb | 7:57 | 82.5 | 2 | |
| 4. | End of All Times (Martyrs Fire) | 7:43 | 97.5 | 2 | |
| 5. | The Coffin Ships | 9:58 | 95 | 3 | |
| 6. | Tragedy's Birth | 8:32 | 87.5 | 2 | |
| 7. | Cities Carved In Stone | 8:07 | 95 | 2 |
[ Rating detail ]
Line-up (members)
- A.A. Nemtheanga : Vocals
- Ciaran MacUiliam : Guitars
- Michael O'Floinn : Guitars
- Pol MacAmlaigh : Bass
- Simon O'Laoghaire : Drums
The Gathering Wilderness Reviews
(1)
Date : Mar 10, 2025
In their early days, Primordial played a hybrid of black metal and pagan metal inspired by their native Ireland. Over time, their sound became more idiosyncratic, arguably culminating on The Gathering Wilderness. The album features one of the best recordings ever heard in metal. It may not be as loud as its contemporaries, but that's because it avoids over-compression and keeps its dynamics. The drums sound beautifully natural, guitars sizzle and burn, and the production retains a ragged edge that perfectly fits the material. Here, Primordial fully integrate their homeland's stirring melodies into an electric framework. Rolling 6/8 rhythms propel this Irish longboat forward. Alan Averill's hyper-passionate vocals take getting used to, but they're heart-swelling. In "End of All Times," he howls "I feel like a wounded animal/In the dying throes," and you believe him. "The Coffin Ships" finds Primordial at their darkest, as glowering clean tones give way to martial walls of distortion. The highlight is the title track, which rumbles with menacing toms, droning melodies, and chant-like vocals. The best metal stands for something; this record speaks for one's soul, one's homeland, and metal itself. Utterly magnificent.
Primordial Discography
| Album | Type | Release date | Rating | Votes | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imrama | Album | 1995 | 85 | 2 | 0 |
| A Journey's End | Album | 1998 | 67.5 | 2 | 0 |
| The Burning Season | EP | Oct 25, 1999 | - | 0 | 0 |
| Spirit the Earth Aflame | Album | 2000 | 77.5 | 2 | 1 |
| Storm Before Calm | Album | 2002 | 75 | 1 | 0 |
| ▶ The Gathering Wilderness | Album | Feb 7, 2005 | 95 | 1 | 1 |
| To the Nameless Dead | Album | Nov 16, 2007 | 77 | 5 | 0 |
| Redemption At the Puritan's Hand | Album | Apr 23, 2011 | 87.5 | 2 | 0 |
| Where Greater Men Have Fallen | Album | Nov 25, 2014 | 75 | 2 | 0 |
| Gods to the Godless | Live | Nov 25, 2016 | - | 0 | 0 |
| Exile Amongst the Ruins | Album | Mar 30, 2018 | 82 | 5 | 0 |
| How It Ends | Album | Sep 29, 2023 | 85 | 1 | 0 |
