On the 20 of March 2025, Primordial performed live in the Big Apple. A.A. Nemtheanga (frontman and vocalist) said about the recordings of this show: “When we heard the results of this incredibly well-mixed show, which perfectly captured the passion, commitment and fury of a special night … we thought: what the hell, let’s put it out there…” — and with that, the tone is immediately set.
On Live in New York City, Primordial shows itself at its best as a live machine. The Irishmen never disappoint when they take the stage. Whereas some live shows can feel raw and intimate (for insiders in small venues), this recording feels more like a grand concert: impressive on the one hand, though perhaps losing a touch of the vibe on the other. Notably, the mix is stunning for a live album: the atmospheric, doom-tinged passages are beautifully captured, while the crushing black metal assault comes through with clarity. No chaotic mess, but a band that knows exactly where it’s heading.
In terms of setlist and performance, this appears to have been a “big night” where everything clicked: adrenaline, fury and narrative falling neatly into place. For fans of Primordial, this live album is a must: the band sounds sharp, energetic, and after all these years still utterly vital. At the same time, it’s not a squeaky-clean rundown of every fan favourite. Rather, it’s a document of a moment where everything converged.
In the live setting, Primordial’s Irish roots shine even more brightly: Nemtheanga’s vocals have something liturgical, ritualistic… As if he is recounting tales from an ancient land and the audience listens as though in a cathedral of steel and sound. On Live in New York City, this combination of roots and power works remarkably well: the band delivers a commanding sound, and you can feel the history, as if they are not merely performing a show, but telling a story steeped in guilt, loss, resistance and diaspora. The fact that the show takes place in New York (a city of immigration and a heaven for many who left their homeland but also a hell for those who lost everything) makes the themes even more urgent.
It is safe to say that Live in New York City is a powerful live album from Primordial, reaffirming that the band remains a formidable force on stage. For the devotee, it’s a highlight. For the doubter, it is solid proof that Primordial still has every reason to exist. Both camps can confidently proceed to listen!
Label:
Metal Blade Records, 2025
Tracklisting:
- As Rome Burns
- No Grave Deep Enough
- The Golden Spiral
- How It Ends
- To Hell Or The Hangman
- Lain With The Wolf
- Gods To The Godless
- Gallows Hymn
- Bloodied Yet Unbowed
- The Coffin Ships
- Victory Has 1000 Fathers, Defeat Is An Orphan
- Empire Falls
- Heathen Tribes
Line-up:
- A.A. Nemtheanga – Zang
- Ciáran Macuiliam – Gitaar
- Pól MacAmlaigh – Basgitaar
- Simon O’ Laoghaire – Drums
Links: