A reflection of Primitive Man’s experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic

In the year of their tenth anniversary, Primitive Man has released their third EP, Insurmountable. Insurmountable is the first release made by Primitive Man since Immersion in 2020. The group originates from Denver, Colorado, and has remained small since its creation with only four members. The original lineup of Ethan Lee McCarthy, Jonathan Campos and Bennett Kennedy released their first album, Scorn, in 2013.

As of 2022, Primitive Man has gone through changes in the drum position. Ethan Lee McCarthy is the lead vocalist and guitarist, alongside bassist Jonathan Campos and Joe Linden at drums. The current cast celebrates Primitive Man’s tenth anniversary with the release of Insurmountable in 2022.

Insurmountable only contains four songs that are different in their sound but common in their theme. As a whole, the EP is much more in line with death metal than anything else, as evidenced by the traumatic feelings presented.

The group’s own experiences of despair throughout the COVID-19 pandemic inspired Insurmountable. Lead singer Ethan McCarthy explained that Insurmountable was a reflection of what each group member dealt with during the pandemic.

“This Life” is a song reflecting on the traumas that life can bring. As a result of the pandemic, mental health declined worldwide due to various factors. The pandemic took a toll on many people mentally, and this song is reflective of that with its deep-cutting, gothic tone.

“Boiled” does an excellent job at capturing an accurate representation of Insurmountable. No words are spoken and yet, everything Primitive Man tried to accomplish is felt. The eerie noises give off a desperate, almost drowning feeling. Despite “Boiled” lacking vocals, the theme of despair remains the same.

“Cage Intimacy” gives off an unchained and yet, restricted feeling. Lead singer Ethan McCarthy has said that this song is symbolism for the forced relationships often present in the world. “Cage Intimacy” reinforces this idea for its heavy use of drums and bass, creating a relatable feeling of defeat.

“Quiet” concludes the EP with feelings of agony. The feelings of agony and defeat are emphasized by the hard riffs of the guitar and banging of the drums. This metalcore aspect creates a notion that the band members will not be quiet and can overcome their challenges.

Insurmountable celebrates Primitive Man’s tenth anniversary in a grounded, relatable way. The production is exceptional, and the traumatic feelings are consistently strong. These feelings of pain line up well with what the group experienced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in just four songs.