| Primeval: Obsession // Detachment | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 5, 2025 | |||
| Recorded | September–October, 2024 | |||
| Length | 42:08 | |||
| Label | Earache | |||
| Producer |
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| Tallah chronology | ||||
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| Tallah studio album chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Primeval: Obsession // Detachment | ||||
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Primeval: Obsession // Detachment is the third studio album by the American heavy metal band Tallah, released on September 5, 2025, through Earache Records. It is the band's first album with Ivan Little on turntables and Joel McDonald on drums, with Max Portnoy officially switching to bass and only performing drums on some songs.
Background and recording
[edit]The album is their first with Max Portnoy committing to bass, with former touring drummer Joel McDonald taking over on drums.[1] It is also their first album with DJ Ivan Little.[2] The album was produced by Josh Schroeder,[1] who also produced the band's first two albums.[3][4] Max Portnoy described the album's recording process and sound, stating:
"For me, this album is Tallah finding our voice...No rules were set...It’s weird. It’s experimental. It’s driving, and energetic. It’s raw. We recorded live, every instrument at the same time, with no click. That’s how we play shows...This album also marks my first recording dedicated to bass. I translated my drum knowledge to a new instrument and it was a huge creative breath of fresh air for me.”[5]
As was the case with the prior two albums, this is a concept album, though comparatively less so. All vocals on the album were performed by Bonitz in a single, continuous take, after Bonitz contracted human immunodeficiency virus, but before being diagnosed formally, resulting in him viewing much of the lyrics as prophetic in hindsight.[6]
Release
[edit]On April 2, 2025, Tallah released the song "What We Know" as the album's lead single, accompanied by a music video.[1][5] On May 7, "A Primeval Detachment" was released as the second single, again with a music video.[7] "Augmented" was released as the third single on June 11,[8] followed by "As Fate Undoes" on July 15, the latter also receiving a music video.[9] The fifth and final single, "Undone by Fate", was released on August 22, 2025.[10] Although not released as a single, the band published a music video for "Depleted" on the album's release day.[11]
Reception
[edit]| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Boolin Tunes | 9/10[12] |
| Distorted Sound | 6/10[13] |
| Metal Hammer |    [14] |
Jack Crosby-Griggs of Boolin Tunes called the album "their most ambitious, experimental and realised thus far."[12] Elliot Leaver of Distorted Sound wrote, "Tallah are clearly still learning their craft, and you cannot fault the effort they put into their music – indeed, there are moments on Primeval: Obsession // Detachment that sparkle brightly. However, that roughness around their edges does need looking at."[13] According to Paul Travers of Metal Hammer, "There’s still plenty of Slipknot-style pummelling going on, but Tallah are increasingly spreading their own musical wings. The result is something tantalisingly familiar, but with just enough unpredictability to add a sense of freshness and excitement."[14]
Track listing
[edit]| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "05:01" | 1:04 |
| 2. | "What We Know" | 4:03 |
| 3. | "Augmented" | 3:39 |
| 4. | "As Fate Undoes" | 3:49 |
| 5. | "My Primeval Obsession" | 4:49 |
| 6. | "Lacuna" | 3:09 |
| 7. | "A Primeval Detachment" | 4:29 |
| 8. | "Undone By Fate" | 5:12 |
| 9. | "Depleted" | 3:28 |
| 10. | "What We Want" | 4:36 |
| 11. | "07:09" | 3:50 |
| Total length: | 42:08 | |
- Note: All track titles are stylised in lowercase, besides What We Know and A Primeval Detachment, which are stylized in sentence case. Lacuna is stylized as "_la|cuna_".
Personnel
[edit]Tallah
- Justin Bonitz – vocals
- Derrick Schneider – lead guitar, backing vocals
- Alex Snowden – rhythm guitar
- Max Portnoy – bass guitar, drums, production
- Ivan Little – turntables, samples, keyboards
- Joel McDonald – drums
Additional personnel
- Josh Schroeder – production, mixing, mastering, engineering
Notes
[edit]- ^ Was available from June 17 for those who had pre-ordered the album.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Adams, Gregory (April 2, 2025). "Hear Tallah channel Korn on new song "What We Know"". Revolver. Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ "Tallah Announce Third Album; Drop New Single & Music Video "What We Know"". Metal Planet Music. April 2, 2025. Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ "See "Nu-Core" Upstarts Tallah's Unhinged New "We, the Sad" Video". Revolver. July 2, 2020. Archived from the original on April 10, 2025. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ Weaver, James (March 11, 2022). "Tallah announce new album 'The Generation Of Danger'". Distorted Sound Mag. Archived from the original on April 3, 2025. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
- ^ a b Keenan, Hesher (April 2, 2025). "Tallah Announce Album 'Primeval: Obsession // Detachment', "What We Know" Streaming Now". MetalSucks. Archived from the original on April 2, 2025. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ Bonitz, Justin (September 6, 2025). "I'm a singer in a metal band living with HIV. Here's how my diagnosis has impacted my life and career so far". Metal Hammer. Archived from the original on September 8, 2025. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
- ^ Thomas, Laviea (May 7, 2025). "Tallah Embrace the Rage on New Single "A Primeval Detachment"". MetalSucks. Archived from the original on May 7, 2025. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ Keenan, Hesher (June 12, 2025). "Tallah Release New Single "Augmented"". MetalSucks. Archived from the original on June 13, 2025. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
- ^ Keenan, Hesher (July 16, 2025). "Tallah Channel Classic Monster Flicks with "As Fate Undoes" Music Video". MetalSucks. Archived from the original on July 16, 2025. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ "Tallah release the next single, "Undone By Fate", from new upcoming record". Lambgoat. August 22, 2025. Archived from the original on August 22, 2025. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
- ^ "Tallah debut "Depleted" music video". Lambgoat. September 5, 2025. Archived from the original on September 6, 2025. Retrieved September 6, 2025.
- ^ a b Crosby-Griggs, Jack (August 31, 2025). "Album Review: Tallah – Primeval: Obsession // Detachment". Boolin Tunes. Archived from the original on September 4, 2025. Retrieved September 4, 2025.
- ^ a b Leaver, Elliot (September 11, 2025). "Album Review: Primeval: Obsession // Detachment – Tallah". Distorted Sound. Archived from the original on September 13, 2025. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
- ^ a b Travers, Paul (September 1, 2025). ""There's still plenty of Slipknot-style pummelling, but Tallah are spreading their wings." One of nu metal's best modern bands are evolving in style on Primeval: Obsession // Detachment". Metal Hammer. Archived from the original on September 4, 2025. Retrieved September 4, 2025.