Primitive Man’s new full-length album »Observance« out now on Relapse Records; new visualizer for »Seer« streaming now!
Denver, Colorado based sludge/doom metal trio Primitive Man drops new single and visualizer video »Seer« taken from their fourth full-length album, »Observance«, which was just released this Friday, October 31st, 2025 via Relapse Records.
»Observance« is available for streaming on all digital platforms!
Tracklist:
01. Seer
02. Devotion
03. Transactional
04. Iron Sights
05. Natural Law
06. Social Contract
07. Water
Primitive Man comments: “»Observance« is out now.
We put an immense amount of work into this record from start to finish. More so than anything we have ever done. The songs were created not only at home, but also on tour in front of some of you. Even though a lot of the writing process was improvisational in nature, the songs were written with our past in mind as well as looking towards the future. We have been fortunate to have had the reputation of being a REALLY heavy band for long enough to where we knew that we could stretch out and explore new horizons in our OWN way.
If you saw us on tour with Napalm Death, Baroness or Amenra you heard some of these song in their skeletal infancy. Though we remain as “Primitive Man” as ever, we really believe with our hearts that this represents a new chapter in the band and we encourage you to listen LOUD with or without headphones. Our music remains harsh and continues to demand a lot of patience, but if you are reading this I assume you are not a toddler (I know some toddlers who can handle it) so you can give it a go.
Just because our music is horrifying doesn’t mean it can’t be healing. So turn it up and drop the fuck out and when you come back – maybe start thinking about how you’re going to spend the rest of your time on this earth because it really is later than you think.
Tour starts 11/24. SEE YOU ON THE ROAD.”
Photo by Nicola Huffstickler
Courtesy of Relapse Records:
Primitive Man return with their most crushing album to date, »Observance«. After twelve years at the forefront of underground music, Primitive Man takes merciless aim at the plentiful ills that besiege the world around them, and in the process of doing so do not spare themselves from their flagellating tongue-lashings. Out October 31, 2025 on 2LP/CD/CS/digital.
With motifs and symbols recurring throughout the lyrics and artwork (also created by McCarthy), and drawing influence from the work of Tongo Eisen-Martin – specifically »Blood On The Fog« – McCarthy doesn’t offer answers, he only seeks to share his experiences. Personal and professional pitfalls are explored against the backdrop of a broken social contract that is decimating the lives of working class citizens. While party politics dominate the media, a more insidious divide preoccupies McCarthy as he is haunted by techno feudalism and the future of human rights and social unrest.
Whilst McCarthy’s lyrics are a dominant presence throughout »Observance«, the six songs that make up the album are a truly collaborative effort written and arranged with absolute devotion. Drummer Joe Linden, bassist Jon Campos and McCarthy threw themselves into writing shortly after the release of 2022’s »Insurmountable« EP. Committing to the task at hand, the trio describe themselves as “obsessed” during the genesis of »Observance«; the intricacies of shaping their evolving, trance-inducing sound became all-consuming.
Despite leaning into their more experimental side, Primitive Man maintain a tight grip on the heavy sound that has defined them for years. »Observance« is still a challenging record, demanding the listener’s attention at every turn. The sound of »Observance« is imbued with a new element for the band – sadness. Yet McCarthy describes this as the most positive Primitive Man record to date; even as they pick over the carcass of disillusionment they still seek a way out, a path towards the light. »Observance« was recorded and mixed throughout February and March 2025, at Bricktop Recording Studio in Chicago with producer Andy Nelson, before being mastered by Arthur Rizk.
Order »Observance« HERE
American Observance Tour MMXXV:
11/24 – Salt Lake City, UT @ Aces High Saloon #
11/25 – Boise, ID @ The Shrine #
11/26 – Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey #
11/27 – Vancouver, BC @ Astoria Pub #
11/28 – Portland, OR @ Star Theater #
11/29 – Eureka, CA @ Savage Henry’s #
11/30 – Oakland, CA @ Stork Club #
12/1 – Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room $
12/2 – San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick $
12/3 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues (Parish) $
12/4 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Rebel Lounge $
12/5 – Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad $
12/6 – Denver, CO @ Decibel Metal & Beer Fest
12/7 – Kansas City, MO @ The Record Bar
12/8 – Dallas, TX @ Club Dada %
12/9 – Austin, TX @ Empire Control Room %
12/10 – New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa %
12/12 – Orlando, FL @ The Conduit %
12/13 – Atlanta, GA @ The Earl +
12/14 – Raleigh, NC @ The Pour House +
12/15 – Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery +
12/16 – Brooklyn, NY @ The Meadows +
12/17 – Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts +
12/18 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Thunderbird Music Hall +
12/19 – Lakewood, OH @ The Foundry +
12/20 – Chicago, IL @ Reggies +
# with Otay:Onii & Guiltless
$ with Otay:Onii, Today Is The Day & Guiltless
^ with Today Is The Day, God Is War
% with Buffalo Nichols, Today Is The Day, God Is War
+ with Buffalo Nichols, Great Falls, God Is War
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well