REVIEW: Tallah - Primeval: Obsession // Detachment

The word 'experimental' has always been the most fitting way to describe a band like TALLAH. They exist outside the boundaries and constraints of genre, blending elements of nu-metal and hardcore in a multi-flavoured cocktail, adding drops of trap metal and high-strung intensity into the mix along the way. They made their mark with their debut five years ago, and are back for their third release with tenfold energy, unhinged and unstoppable. Their new album Primeval: Obsession // Detachment is TALLAH at their most original. The story the band takes us on with this release is set in a strange, alien place – the far reaches of the universe. The lives of two star-crossed strangers intertwine here; Ana, a nurse, and Sheelah, an assassin. Polar opposites in mercy and brutality, who are approached by a cabal of cloaked beings who give them both a task – one that will push their morals to the limit.

The astral clock reads 05:01, and our story begins. An alien vocalisation leads us into the atmosphere with this short establishing track, and before we know it, the build-up brings us to the final seconds, the lyrics a clean transition to the next track – What we know. This is one that lets us know exactly what to expect with this record – the unexpected. Unbound and unchained, TALLAH put no creative boxes in place for this production, and it shows. Heavy distortion echoes throughout the track, with the rhythmic clashing of drums meeting the subtle groove of the bassline and the quiet acoustic elements hidden beneath the layers of production. JUSTIN BONITZ takes us on a journey through this strange landscape with his unique vocal style – he goes from the deep growls of hardcore to nu-metal rap verses in a matter of mere seconds.

augmented channels pure aggression with intense guitars from ALEX SNOWDEN and DERRICK SCHNEIDER, and rolling drums from JOEL MCDONALD, while the contributions of bass player MAX PORTNOY are a little more understated – though still a strong backbone for the track. This is a track infused with a razor-sharp edge, and as fate undoes follows it perfectly. It's raw, heavy, and refuses to grant us a single moment to breathe up until the final segments, when the hardcore elements give way to a short, yet beautiful string segment. We're only three tracks in, and already the production on this album is incredibly impressive.

A standout in this album is A primeval detachment – almost the title track, if you switched some words out. This is where TALLAH are at their most hardcore. A steady tick leads us to expect a slow build-up, but out of nowhere we're assaulted by a wall of clashing drums, electric riffs, and guttural screams. This track contains multitudes – groovy basslines, LINKIN PARK-style vocals that cut between singing and screaming every other second, and a violent breakdown followed by taut, tension-filled strings that wouldn't be out of place in a horror movie trailer. undone by fate comes after, dynamic and heavy, hitting both sides of the sliding spectrum and never truly settling on a tone. Over the course of five minutes, we're treated to not just filthy riffs and grimy backing bass, but rapid-fire nu-metal vocals we can barely keep up with, and an esoteric instrumental segment that feels like it's played in reverse, disguising some secret message – it wouldn't be unheard of for a band like this.

what we want is the penultimate track in this release, though in practicality it acts as the closer. In title it mirrors What we know, through both the journey of our dual protagonists, and through the melodies it echoes from the past. When we reach the halfway mark, the almost-unheard acoustic elements from the aforementioned track now take centre-stage. It's an unexpected respite from the intensity that's permeated this release, but before long the calm is shattered – BONITZ's vocals ramp up in volume, pitch, and sheer rawness, all building to the final conclusion when the numbers tick over to 07:09. An eerie instrumental worms its way into our ears, and as the dust settles from all that's transpired, we're met with a return of the vocalisations from our establishing track. A foreign soundscape brings together elements from all throughout this record, and leaves us with an almost uncomfortable melody as we fade out to oblivion.

Primeval: Obsession // Detachment is TALLAH at their best. Their hybrid sound is a beacon of unbridled creativity and unchained aggression – still, any classification of their genre eludes us, but the esoteric concoction of elements they've brought together is evidence of their talent. This record may take us on an expedition into the far reaches of space, but despite the astronomical journey, it remains distinctly, and uniquely human.

Score: 9/10

Primeval: Obsession // Detachment was released on September 5th 2025 via Earache Records.

Words: Naomi Colliar Duff

Photos: Tallah