Primal Fear - Rulebreaker album review

To quote the late Lemmy Kilmister (God that's horrible and weird to say!), "The great strength of heavy Metal is that it doesn't progress. People love it the way it is." Nowhere is this more applicable to a band than Primal Fear. As with 99% of heavy Metal bands - the exception being Metallica - the formula stays the same because it's what works.

Primal Fear's new album - Rulebreaker

I mean no disrespect to Primal Fear when I say this, but they are a safe band. That's not to say their music is bland - because it most certainly isn't - but it's nothing we've not heard before. When I say they're safe it's in reference to the fact there are so many aspects of their music that has already been done by other Metal bands, and in a lot of cases, has been done better.

It's a true story that Ralf Scheepers, Primal's lead singer, went to audition for the singer's role in Judas Priest when Rob Halford left in 1991, and it's clear to hear how well he would have fitted had he been successful in landing the gig. Scheepers has an incredible vocal range, from high pitch screams to monstrous grunting lows, and it is put on show magnificently on this album. The problem is when you're listening to him, you find yourself thinking you're listening to a Judas Priest LP, which obviously isn't a bad thing because Judas Priest sound fantastic, but you get the feeling you've heard it all before and it lacks a special quality that's left wanting when Metal bands just rehash what's already been done. Sure, Metal is a constant, it doesn't follow rules or society - Motorhead being the obvious embodiment of that - but bringing some originality wouldn't hurt.

Admittedly however, the musicianship it great. With each new track comes a great new riff, and the accompanying thumping rhythm section makes a glorious combination that convinces you that it would be rude not to head bang.

There are a couple tracks I'll pick out as my favourites; Angels Of Mercy and In Metal We Trust. The first is a perfect template for the standard Primal Fear song; harmonies on the chorus line, ripping riff and excellent solo. The later is a step toward the symphonic side of Metal and almost could pass as a song by Dragonforce. It's a welcome diversification on what is a very steady record.

Verdict - 7/10
It's the Metal sound we all know and love, but there's always a thought in the back of your mind that makes you think, 'Where's the risk? Why don't they try something new?' It sounds fantastic; too bad we've heard it all before.