PRIMAL FEAR „16.6: Before The Devil Knows You”

Genre: Power Metal
Country: Germany
Band Website: www.primalfear.rocks.de
Duration: 61:18
Killer Songs: “16.6,” “No Smoke Without Fire,” “Hands of Time”

Primal Fear have never owned the cheesy niche dominated by Hammerfall; nor have they lost themselves in immense concept records (here’s looking at Iced Earth); or done sequels to their classic work (uh, Helloween, Gamma Ray, Queensryche). Instead they’ve focused on churning out an impressive discography eight albums deep and written a lot of great metal. In assessing the material at hand, 2005’s “Seven Seals” and the more experimental follow up “New Religion” become useful references, it was in these two previous albums where Primal Fear explored epic, mid-tempo songs that went easy on the heavy, emphasized the hooks, and literally soared—take “Seven Seals,” “Every Time It Rains,” and “Fighting The Darkness.” In these, Primal Fear realized they had a winning formula that would become the blueprint for their future sound.

On this year’s “16.6” the current trend in the band’s songwriting reaches its logical conclusion: they nearly fill the album with epic, hook-laden, emotional anthems such as “Black Rain,” “5.0/Torn,” “Under The Radar,” “Night After Night,” “No Smoke Without Fire,” and “Smith & Wesson.” This is not to say they neglect variety, ignoring the “Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead” intro, opener “Riding The Eagle” is run-of-the-mill speed metal that’s been done all over Europe for the past 20 years—rather disappointing, to be honest. The band redeem themselves with the title track “16.6” whose riff driven simplicity is guaranteed to kill brain cells and increase blood circulation. It’s a heavy, pounding single that hooks the listener in right away. For a better idea of its appeal, imagine Metallica’s “Sad But True” combined with Rammstein’s “Du Hast.” This German fivesome make no bones about venturing into Nu Metal territory on “Soar,” a groove driven MTV single reminiscent of Disturbed. Unfortunately, weaker tracks like the sub-par hard rock on “Killbound” and the downright corny “Smith & Wesson” blunt the album’s lethal edge.

The screaming Judas Priest spirit that defined the band’s early efforts comes roaring to life for “The Exorcist” as Ralf Scheepers keeps his vocals at full blast. Letting the curtains fall on their newest with a whisper, a moving ballad titled “Hands of Time” shows another side of Primal Fear previously unheard. It’s a beautiful finishing touch for an otherwise okay album. This CD should come with the warning: FANS ONLY!

note: 6/10

Tracklist

1.Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead
2.Riding The Eagle
3.Six Times Dead
4.Black Rain
5.Under The Radar
6.5.0/Torn
7.Soar
8.Killbound
9.No Smoke Without Fire
10.Night After Night
11.Smith & Wesson
12.The Exorcist
13.Hands of Time

Line-up

Ralf Scheepers-Vocals
Henny Wolter-Guitars
Magnus Karlsson-Guitars
Randy Black-Drums
Mat Sinner-Bass