PRIMITIVE DREAD

PHOTO CREDIT: STELLA GOCHEVA

1. Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions! Before we dive in, if you wouldn’t mind introducing yourself and what you do in the band, that would be great!

Hi Jacob, and thanks for the opportunity. My name is Dimitar, and I do vocals in Primitive Dread.

2. You guys are from North Macedonia, Ohrid to be more specific. I’ve actually been to Ohrid, it’s got some incredible history and that lake is gorgeous! Tell us about the scene in your area/country.

Thank you for the kind words. Technically, only two out of the five members are from Ohrid. We also have two members from Kičevo, and our drummer is from Bitola. Some of us currently live in Skopje, so we're scattered across the country. The Macedonian scene is small but alive and doing well. We don't have shows every week like in Western Europe, but whenever there is one, the turnout is usually great because people here are genuinely hungry and excited to see bands. I don't think many people outside the Balkans are familiar with the Macedonian hardcore scene, so I'd definitely recommend checking out Shock Troopers, Noviot Pochetok, YÖU, Carma Scale, Inner Hate, Trendkill, Peach Vice, Smut.

3. How did you find heavy music and hardcore? What were your gateway bands?

My first introduction to hardcore was around 2000, I believe. I first got hooked on New York hardcore, and from there I naturally dug deeper into heavier, more metallic hardcore. Bands like Agnostic Front, Madball, Sick of It All, Hatebreed, Merauder, Terror, Strife, Integrity and Cold As Life were some of my biggest early influences, just to name a few.

4. When and how did Primitive Dread form, and what are the band’s major influences?

The initial idea for Primitive Dread came in 2017. Jimmy (our guitar player) sent me a few songs, I wrote the lyrics, and we recorded a couple of demos without intending to start a band. Two of my favourite genres have always been hardcore and thrash metal, so it felt natural to combine those influences. We also draw inspiration from crossover thrash and metallic hardcore, which helped shape the sound of Primitive Dread.

5. Talk to us about your first EP, 2022’s Rusty Chains of an Endless Transition. What was the writing and recording process like, and what sounds and themes do you explore?

Those demos we recorded back in 2017 sat on a hard drive until the pandemic. During the lockdown, we decided to make the most of the free time and finally record those songs properly and release them online, without any real intention of becoming an active live band. We came up with the band's name around the same time. Jordan, a good friend and the drummer of my other band Hardfaced, helped us record the drums and mix the EP. Another close friend, Drash, who's an incredible graffiti artist, created the logo and artwork. Everything was recorded at home, making it a completely DIY project. Rusty Chains of an Endless Transition came out in 2022 and received a great response. That's when we started thinking that maybe we should actually put a live band together and play some shows.

6. Merciless Indifference comes next in 2024 and includes a feature from Harms Way vocalist James Pligge. Walk us through the creation of this EP.

Once we decided to start playing live, we realised we needed a few more songs. That's how Merciless Indifference came together. We completed the lineup, started rehearsing for our first shows, and wrote most of the EP in just a few days. We stuck with the same DIY approach and worked with the same people behind the recording, mixing and artwork. Once again, everything was recorded at home. James is a good old friend of mine, and we've always shared demos and new music with each other. He liked the songs, agreed to be part of the EP, and recorded an amazing guest vocal. Both EPs were later released together on one vinyl, Rusty & Merciless, through Diehard Records.

7. What have been the major highlights of the band’s existence so far?

I'd say the Only The Hard Tour we did in 2024. Spending two weeks touring Eastern Europe alongside Madball, Nasty and Born From Pain was an incredible experience for us. It's still crazy to think that we got to tour with Madball—the band that first got me into hardcore.

8. Do you have any upcoming shows or music we should be keeping an eye out for?

We just released a new single called "Nema Dno." It's the first taste of our upcoming release, which is coming out this fall. Check out the new video and keep an eye on our social media for more music and upcoming shows.

9. Thanks again! Do you have any shout-outs or last words for the readers?

Thanks for taking the time to read the interview and for supporting underground music. Go support your local scene, buy records and merch directly from bands whenever you can, and hopefully we'll see you somewhere on the road.