Primal Fear is a power metal band from Germany formed in 1997 building upon the incredible legacy Germany has for producing great power, and heavy metal bands – bands such as Accept, Grave Digger, and Helloween. The band has released thirteen studio albums during their career to date…
…a career that began twenty-five years ago, when former Gamma Ray vocalist Ralf Scheepers and Sinner bass player/vocalist Mat Sinner joined forces to form Primal Fear. The band at the time was completed by guitarist Tom Naumann (Sinner), and Klaus Sperling (drums). This line-up recorded and released the band’s self-titled debut album in 1998 – and now, in 2022, a deluxe edition will be unleashed, featuring all of the debut’s twelve tracks, plus, as a bonus, three more! Two live recordings and a cover of an Accept classic!
Of the band’s debut album, what can you say – “super, smashing, great”.
The band’s debut album features twelve songs of pure power metal with an incredible sense of urgency and purpose. From the searing pace of the albums opening double salvo ‘Chainbreaker’ and ‘Silver & Gold’, to the majestic heavy metal march of the third song ‘Promised Land’, Primal Fear quickly showed they meant business. Was the world ready for the screaming vocals of Scheepers? Ready or not – the band powered on with blistering energy and oomph… ‘Formula One’ head bangingly heavy, ‘Dollars’ a big and beefy anthemic stomp, and ‘Nine Lives’ a lightning-quick gallop. A new band had landed, ready to take power metal to the next level – Primal Fear a fresh and very powerful force of nature. ‘Tears Of Rage’ showcased the band’s epic and glory sides, a hymn-like atmosphere descending upon the album…
…an album that included a cracking cover of the Deep Purple classic ‘Speedking’, taken from the band’s 1970 album ‘Deep Purple In Rock’. Primal Fear upped the energy, speed, and oomph – and to be honest if you didn’t know it was a cover, you’d swear it was an original! ‘Battalions Of Hate’ features the iconic buzzing guitar sound of the NWOBHM, and comes across as a power metal version of British heavy metal stalwarts Saxon. ‘Running In The Dust’ returns the anthemic stomp of earlier, while ‘Thunderdome’ brings the album to a close in a fast-paced fury. What an album, and what a way to introduce yourselves to a worldwide audience.
Also included on this deluxe edition, is a cover of ‘Breaker’ by countrymen Accept – taken from the band’s 1981 album of the same name. Primal Fear retains the pace and power of the original, along with the song’s intense ferocity. Rounding off this edition, are live versions of ‘Chainbreaker’ and ‘Running In The Dust’ – proof (if any were needed) of the band’s energy, passion, and incredible stage presence.
Overall, a classic album that’s stood the test of time – Primal Fear‘s self-titled debut is a must-have for every power metal fan.
TRACKLIST
Primal Fear
Chainbreaker
Silver & Gold
Promised Land
Formula One
Dollars
Nine Lives
Tears Of Rage
Speedking (Deep Purple cover)
Battalions Of Hate
Running In The Dust
Thunderdome
Breaker (Accept cover) (bonus track)
Chainbreaker (live) (bonus track)
Running In The Dust (live) (bonus track)
Primal Fear: Facebook
Release Year: 2022
Label: Atomic Fire Records
Category: Album
Country: Germany
Reviewed by Iron Mathew for Frenzy Fire, and Metal-Roos.
