Label: Frontiers 2014
Review by Rich Dillon
Primal Fear may not be a household name over here in North America, but the German power metal outfit has issued 10 albums since 1997, most charting well in countries like their home of Germany but also in Japan and Sweden. Primal Fear was founded by former Gamma Ray vocalist Ralf Scheepers and Sinner bassist Mat Sinner. With a few line up changes over the existence of the band we now find drummer Randy Black, Swedish guitar wizard Magnus Karlsson (having worked with Sinner previously on Kiske/Sommerville and Ralf Scheepers’ solo album) and guitarist Alex Beyrodt. Beyrodt and Sinner have been working together on several projects such as the bands Voodoo Circle, Silent Force and Sinner, all issuing albums in 2013. Primal Fear is ready to attack the world in 2014 supporting Delivering the Black with a tightly packed world touring schedule. For the upcoming Delivering the Black world tour Karlsson announced that he would be unable to participate as he does not want to be away from his young children for an extended period such as that, so original founding member Tom Naumann will be stepping in for the tour.
Delivering the Black starts off with the charging riff of “King for a Day” which has a forthcoming video as well. “Rebel Faction” is a power metal gem with thrashy overtones. “When Death Comes Knocking”, considered the lead single as it has received the video treatment, was unleashed prior to the album’s official release, a brooding, grinding, epic sounding composition at over seven minutes runtime sits in the third slot. “Alive & On Fire” is a little more old school metal sounding and may well be my choice for top of the heap. “Delivering the Black” offers another fine cut, matching and maintaining the pace leading into another thrashy style track with “Road to Asylum”. Power metal opus, “One Night in December” clocks in at over 9 and a half minutes before “Never Pray for Justice” resumes the assault. “Born With a Broken Heart” slows the pace down showcasing Scheepers vocal abilities and featuring the assistance of Leaves’ Eyes vocalist Liv Kristine. High speed, balls to the wall “Inseminoid” closes out the offering on a fast and furious note.
As with all the Primal Fear album covers, the bird of prey is prominently featured in the artwork and any fan of their past work will surely enjoy the progression and direction of Primal Fear’s latest effort Delivering the Black.
Website
No comments:
Post a Comment