Last year, there was a particular album that I highly anticipated, though half of the songs had already been released as singles. With that record, the album ended up being a letdown because I’d already heard all the best songs. But sometimes, a band exceeds my expectations when they choose this approach. Primrose Path is preparing to launch their debut record on February 28th, and it is a monster. It’s called Ruminations, and some of their best songs have been kept hidden for exactly this moment.
Primrose Path comes to us from Perth, Australia. Their lineup has changed over the last couple years, but right now it is Lindsay Rose on vocals, Brenton Lush and Matt Gashk on guitars, Scott Henry on bass, and Ashley Doodkort (of Voyager) on drums. With this particular talent, the band seems poised for greatness.
And their music reflects that, most certainly. They play a gritty, grungy progressive metal with gothic flair, and they do it extremely well. Lindsay was one of my picks for top vocals of 2023, and she only continues to expand her power, range, and style. She can handle both driving rage and vulnerable expressions, not to mention that she can write a mean hook. She is backed by some incredibly strong performances, from commanding guitar work to a rip-roaring rhythm section that will worm its way into your brain.
The album has eight carefully selected songs. You will notice that certain singles, namely “Viscera” and “Ignore”, are absent. Nothing from their excellent 2021 EP Matriffe appears here, either, though their sound was significantly different back then, so this doesn’t surprise me. While I mourn the loss of “Viscera” and “Ignore”, both songs I love, I understand the need to be selective and intentional, and they are definitely being thoughtful in everything they do.
The returning singles are “Irrelevance”, my song of the year in 2023 and one that never gets old with its slanted song structure and vicious riffs; “Unrepent”, a lyrically potent piece with an explosive climax; “Obstruct”, a song with such a carefree opening which transitions cautiously towards a massive and powerful vocal performance that will shatter your spine; and “HEX”, which was one of my top five favorite songs of 2024, mainly for how witchy and synth-laden it is, and so damn addictive.
That leaves four new songs to explore, and, my God, they are good. First up is “Propensity”, which could easily be one of my top songs of the year. This absolute beast flirts with danger and darkness, swirling in the mind’s periphery with excellent drumming, until at last it explodes with enormously heavy riffs contrasted against Lindsay’s otherworldly vocals—I love the way the last seconds are spent doubling-down on the heaviness. “Harm” is the next new song, and it is actually more reserved overall, featuring almost a swinging, dancing rhythm that enchants the beginning and end, and in the middle, you’ll find a brutal instrumental that I love. I’ll admit this song took some time to grow on me, but I’ve embraced it completely.
“Persona Non Grata” follows, and, damn, I love this song. It’s the longest on the album, and it feels deeply candid and authentic, and when the galloping heaviness enters the picture, the song thrives. I adore the second half where Lindsay lays down some amazing harsh vox right alongside blast beats and macabre. The final new song is “Shifted”, a shorter yet flashy piece; I love how it seems to muse in its rhythmic ideas before unleashing them fully, and I love how haunting the vocals are. The combination of the terrific drumming with the enigmatic riff and sinister vocals is so satisfying.
If there is any justice in the world, Primrose Path will hit it big. Ruminations is a thoughtful album, not only in its expressive and raw lyrics, but also in how carefully arranged its emotionally charged and ferocious songs are. There isn’t a weak song on the album. I love them all thoroughly, so I can’t for the life of me think of a reason to give it anything less than a 10/10. I’ll be listening to this album non-stop in 2025.
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Find Primrose Path online:
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The PROG Mind 