US sludge/doom metal trio Primitive Man share new single and music video »Natural Law«; »Observance« LP out October 31st via Relapse Records!
Denver, Colorado based sludge/doom metal trio Primitive Man share a music video for the second single »Natural Law« taken from their new full-length album, »Observance«, scheduled for release on October 31st, 2025 via Relapse Records.
Tracklist:
01. Seer
02. Devotion
03. Transactional
04. Iron Sights
05. Natural Law
06. Social Contract
07. Water
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.
Photo by Nicola Huffstickler
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.
Pre-order »Observance« HERE | Pre-save at THIS LOCATION
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