Primal Scream hang red meat on their musical bones on The Bunker Trilogy
Primal Scream’s Bunker Trilogy shows the band moving beyond the sound associated with Screamadelica while keeping their appetite for musical change and confrontation. The three albums, released between 1997 and 2002, blend rock with funk, dub and increasingly forceful electronic sounds.
Vanishing Point brought bassist Mani into the line-up and includes the driving single “Kowalski”. XTRMNTR, augmented by Kevin Shields, is described as the most politically charged and abrasive record, though Bobby Gillespie’s vocals sometimes falter. Evil Heat pares back the sound and features “Miss Lucifer”, “Autobahn 66” and Robert Plant on harmonica; the review rates all three albums 9/10.
In short
- The Bunker Trilogy spans three albums released from 1997 to 2002.
- Primal Scream mixed rock, funk, dub and abrasive electronics.
- The review rates each album 9/10.
Explained simply
Primal Scream are a Scottish rock band led by singer Bobby Gillespie. Their 1991 album Screamadelica brought them wide attention by combining rock with dance and psychedelic sounds.
The Bunker Trilogy is the name given to three later albums: Vanishing Point, XTRMNTR and Evil Heat, released between 1997 and 2002. Across the records, the band mixed rock with funk, dub and electronic music, while exploring more abrasive sounds and political themes.
The albums mark a period when Primal Scream moved away from the style most associated with Screamadelica. They also feature musicians including bassist Mani and guitarist Kevin Shields, linking the band’s changing sound to a wider cast of collaborators.