PRIMORDIAL Parts Ways With Drummer, Seeks Replacement

After playing what vocalist Alan "Nemtheanga" Averill of Irish dark metal masters PRIMORDIAL has called the band's "worst show in 20 years" on June 5, 2010 in Athens, Greece, the group has officially parted ways with drummer Simon O'Laoghaire and is currently seeking a replacement. PRIMORDIAL says in a statement, "We need someone who is determined, committed to their craft, stepping up to the plate of touring and playing big festivals. Previous experience would, of course, be preferable. No half measures, no glass-is-half-empty attitudes. Someone who will bring their style and energy to the band and, of course, a fucking killer drummer. Nothing less.

"There is a new album in the offing, the possibility of standing on the stages of some of the biggest metal festivals in 2011 and, of course, some form of income from those….

"It's preferable they know extreme metal, of course; that's where we came from, but more importantly, the MAIDENs, SABBATHs, MOTÖRHEADs and THIN LIZZYs of this world as that's where the drumming in PRIMORDIAL has for the most part been holding court.

"We rehearse in Dublin, of course, so a proximity to there is preferable, but we are not adverse to someone from abroad who can work hard when the time comes and is near enough to a Ryan Air terminal, or a relocation to Dublin is also a possibility."

For more information on the circumstances that led to PRIMORDIAL's split with Simon O'Laoghaire, read this post from Averill on the Rocking.gr web site.

As previously reported, Metal Blade Records has set a July 5 European release date (July 2 in Germany) for the third in the reissue series from PRIMORDIAL. "Spirit The Earth Aflame" was originally released in 2000 and will now be re-released as a two-disc digipack.

PRIMORDIAL released its first-ever DVD, "All Empires Fall", in the U.S. on March 16 via Metal Blade Records. Disc 1 of the two-disc set is the centerpiece of the DVD and features a full PRIMORDIAL headline show recorded live on January 24, 2009 in the band's hometown of Dublin, Ireland. The concert was filmed with five cameras and has an exceptional vintage look due to the hard work in post-production. Disc 2 features live clips from the band's appearances at Ragnarök Festival (Germany),Hove Festival (Norway) and Graspop Metal Meeting (Belgium) in 2008. The second disc also contains a band documentary with all the inside stories and loads of ancient footage from the early stages of the band. The documentary has a playing time of approximately 60 minutes. Interviews with all band members and rehearsal footage complete the second disc of the set.