Primitiv comprising of members from Albatross, Hellwind and Morticide, seek to deny the stereotype attached to genres by varying their sound as dictated by the lyrical themes. The stories told by Primitivare about ‘how the Earth is hurled back into primitive ways of life after a holocaust wiped out science, art and culture of the age.’ Primitiv’s new track ‘Taurus’ upholds a well-thought composition, especially a bewitching bassline. We recently had a chat with them. Here is the entire conversation –
1. Greetings from Indian Metal Scene! How have you been?
Riju: I’ve been very busy with Albatross’ recent tour schedule. The guys in Primitiv have also been extremely busy with their work schedules, and haven’t had the chance to even practise properly yet haha. Thankfully Jay, who’s filling in on drums is killing in, and that’s half the battle won. So, in a gist, we’ve been ‘busy’.
2. Explain to us the concept of Stone-Age metal and mention some bands that come close to fitting this label.
Riju: Well, the idea was to basically conceptualize and form the ultimate old school metal band. So the idea evolved from the fact that ‘we’re more old school than other old school bands’. We are, therefore, primitive. So me and Raj were cracking jokes about forming a band which talks about ‘brutal stuff that happens in the stone age’. So it almost started like a troll band, but when I got down to penning lyrics for ‘Lords of the Primitive’, I understood the potential of songs based in a dystopian world. It was just a lot more fun for me. I sent the lyrics to Nitin and Raj, and they loved it. With each subsequent song, the lyrics became even more ambitious, and as did the music.
Musically we’re not sticking to any particular genre, and this includes Death Metal. All of us have different influences, and all of them will come together to tell the story. If you like Celtic Frost, Obituary, Morbid Angel and early Sepultura, you’ll probably like Primitiv.
3. In your upcoming release ‘Taurus’, you’ve mentioned that each song will tell a story or tale, lyrically, and that the album is a concept album set in a post apocalyptic world. Is this something chief songwriter Riju Dasgupta honed in his other band ‘Albatross’?
Riju: Well, I’m a voracious reader, and while I love the horror genre, I’ve been reading a lot more dystopian fiction lately. This includes Mark Lawrence’s excellent Broken Empire trilogy, M John Harrison’s Viriconium, and Stephen King’s Dark Tower series. I’ve always wanted to create a fictional world of my own, and since I’m (probably) not writing a book anytime soon, this seemed like the perfect outlet. I cannot write lyrics without a theme in mind, and the Primitiv concept is an endless world of badassry. It’s a world in which magic and machines exist side by side…imagine robots and Gods tearing at one another! What more can one ask from life?
4. As stated in the press release, Primitiv’s music seeks to depict stories laced around the unique concept of the earth being hurled back to primitive ways of life. Will the band’s music be ‘narrative’ compositions made of riffs and ideas to trigger an intended thought-process for the listener? Or is the crux of your songwriting something else?
Riju: So far what I’ve been doing is writing the lyrics, and sending them to Raj. Raj develops a blueprint for the song based on the lyrics, and myself, Nitin and Raj then sit down to develop a structure for the song. So yes, it is the former.
5. Primitiv’s music can boast of a well-thought concept. How significant are aesthetics in metal music? How do you intend to unite aesthetics with sound without making it ‘gimmicky’?
Riju: I am Dr. Hex. I wear a bloodstained labcoat and a facemask. Do you think I care if people find my ideas ‘gimmicky’? I’m very over the top by nature, and the music I make with both my bands, is a natural extension of my eccentricity. So I’ve been told by a lot of people.
Also, aesthetics are everything to me. I do not listen to music in terms of riffs and solos and vocal patterns and beats, I hear the song in its entirety. The lyrics, the band’s philosophy, the ambience the song creates, the overall vibe of the band’s stage show mean a lot more to me than individual components of the song.
6. Nitin’s vocals sound massive and deep as hell itself. Tell us something about how you warm up, your techniques and your advice for young vocalists trying to perfect their sound.
Nitin: Thank you so much. No major techniques followed. No Melissa Cross videos etc. just plain & simple effort to emote the depth and essence of the words through vocals with a no holds barred approach. One must strive to deliver and create the atmosphere vocally which the songwriter has in mind. And always go all out. Do not hold back. No half added attempts at growls. All or nothing. Its metal.
7. The band’s music endeavors to deviate from the ‘standards’ connected with genres by basing sounds on respective themes. Do you convey any ideology in this way, or is this manner of compositions designed to surpass stereotypical expectations?
Riju: Well, here’s the thing. While our music is primarily death/doom metal oriented, Nitin is the only real death metal fan in the band. Both me and Raj listen to some old school death metal, but we come from very different schools of music. So, the idea was to not try and force the music, but rather go with what comes naturally. In addition to death and doom metal, you’ll hear a lot of heavy metal in there as well…as you’d expect with members of Albatross and Hellwind (Pushkar and Raj both play for Hellwind).
8. The press release says that Primitiv’s music is an account of a holocaust wiping out a substantial population, science, art and culture, thus compelling the world to lead a primitive way of life. Such a theme involving a complete destruction of science prompts me to ask about your thoughts on technological hypocrisy, for example, the media often censoring the truth for ‘non-offensive’ broadcasting. Also, what do you think about the inevitability of art, science and culture?
Riju: All of it is great. They make for great stories.
9. What kind of a listener, introspectively or otherwise do you think will relate to and appreciate Primitiv’s music?
Riju: From the response I’ve seen, people from across different genres of metal appreciated Taurus. The fanbase is definitely not as niche and segemented, as Albatross’ is.
10. This December, on the 14th, you guys play at Pune for December Demolition. This will also be Primitiv’s first live appearance. Tell us about how the buildup feels and the atmosphere around the band in general. Also, have any of you played in Pune before?
Riju: It’s great. We’re very excited and do hope the audience reacts in a positive manner. It’ll be the first time I tune to Drop C, so that’ll be interesting too haha. I’ve played Pune several times with both Albatross and Workshop (Raj was part of the Workshop gigs too). Nitin last played in Pune, way back in 2003.
11. Any news on Primitiv signing a label deal in the near future?
Riju: Yes. Announcement very soon.
12. Tell us about working with producer Ashwin Shriyan.
Riju: He’s awesome. Not only is he patient, he sets very high standards for himself and delivers. He becomes a part of the song, and always sends us a mix on schedule. In Raj’s words- ‘he’s very reliable for someone with dreadlocks.’
13. In the past decade, what according to you have been noteworthy standouts and innovations concerning metal in India?
Riju: Personally speaking, I love the fact that there are so many Tier 2 cities getting into the whole metal culture. What our country lacks is a touring circuit, and now with more and more cities expressing their interest in hosting metal gigs, things will only get better. A lot of bands are releasing very good albums, and hence the quality of shows is improving. Also the sound systems at most venues are usually above average these days…and hence, every show is a more pleasant experience than the last.
14. Your favorite Indian metal bands and why?
Riju: Just check the lineups of shows we’ve put together- Domination: The Deathfest, Wacken Metal Battle Mumbai Leg, Metal At the Tavern, and December Demolition…and you’ll have your answer.
15. Your thoughts on the Indian Metal Scene, and your outlook on its future.
Riju: Very good. And will only get better.
16. Thank you for your time. Do you have any message for the fans?
Riju: See you on the 14th, Pune. Don’t just stay old school, stay primitiv!
Catch Primitiv LIVE at December Demolation. RSVP here!
Read our December Demolition gig preview here!
To book the December Demolition passes, call +919967771992.
-Interviewed by Vishal Bakaya and Debarati Das
Indian Metal Scene 