Primal Fear
New Religion

Every time I found myself talking to someone about Primal Fear, I almost felt compelled to "gift" the aforementioned band with heaps of steaming crap. A band whose sole intent seemed to be playing like Judas Priest, blatantly imitating their voice and sound, in my opinion, had no reason to exist. "Seven Seals" (November 2005) was a great surprise that I really appreciated: the melodic and personal turn of the German combo that I never expected. I waited in silence, with growing anticipation, for the arrival of the new work by Sinner/Scheephers (the title is "New Religion"), to see if the previous album was the result of a spectacular stroke of luck or not.

What are the characteristics that make an album a good album? From my point of view, basically, the essentials are the voice, the songwriting, and the production.

Let's start with the last element. "Seven Seals" is perhaps incomparable from this point of view; something exceptional in that you can take the volume knob, blast it fiercely to the right, and always hear a strong, clean sound like I’ve rarely experienced. Also, "New Religion" in this aspect is no joke; listening to a CD with excellent production on a good stereo system is a wonderful and fulfilling experience.

Ralph Scheepers, I believe, is one of the most technically gifted singers out there. He can hit high notes, very high, low, alternate vocal purity with sublime Halfordian grit, all complemented by terrifying range and absolute assurance of a live performance. As in "Seven Seals," Mr. Scheepers is in a state of grace. In the opener tribute to Judas Priest, titled "Sign Of Fears," he enjoys emulating a supercharged Rob Halford reaching insanely shrill tones, but this singing, when considered in the entirety of the product, turns out to be a small parenthesis. Fortunately, he varies and offers his best in the mid-low tones flaunting clarity, great range, and interpretative ability. Ultimately, throughout the album, there is a pleasant sensation of being in the presence of an exceptional and versatile vocalist who flaunts immense ease of execution.

Songwriting. This is the real sore point for most bands in the sector (and beyond). Currently, finding a group that composes quality music while breaking from the past assumes the proportions of a titanic effort. I won't lie to you: Primal Fear doesn't invent anything new even in this round but, as in their previous work, they take a step in the right direction and further detach themselves from the mere "clone Judas Priest" label except for the opener and "World On Fire". For the rest, Primal Fear adds symphonic elements to more than one song that would have been impossible to even imagine a few years ago. Let’s dig a little deeper.

The single "Every Time It Rains" is just from MTV, catchy and perfect in form with its easy melodies enriched by some never too aggressive riffs. The typical easy-listening piece dedicated to the masses in which the duet between Ralf and the alluring and precious voice of the beautiful Simone Simons (Epica) stands out. But the best pieces come with the suite "Fighting The Darkness": a sort of metallic, powerful, dark and melodic ballad that in the symphonic break even brings Nightwish to mind. There is room for the classic speed metal of "Too Much Time" indebted to the best Gamma Ray. Our guys fall into the gothic hues in the excellent and hypnotic "The Course Of Sharon": one of the songs I absolutely prefer. The melodic "The Man (That I Don't Know)" closes with a respectable tenor interpretation an excellent varied and quality album.

For the second time in just over two years, Primal Fear hits the mark. Besides the usual driving and powerful tracks, they continue on a more polished, at times symphonic path that does not diminish their basic metal but enriches it. One of the finest albums of the genre this year that I recommend you make yours if you are accustomed to these sounds.