PRIMAL FEAR: Apocalypse (HEAVY METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

Beyond the endless comparisons with Judas Priest or the allegedly exacerbated ego of Ralf Schepeers (who became known alongside Kai Hansen in Gamma Ray or for almost succeeding Rob Halford), Primal Fear is above all a group with incredible regularity. It is always where one awaits it, without ever really neither disappointing nor surprising. It is also a beautiful collection of albums well produced, powerful and which know a certain success. So once all these prejudices have been set aside are put aside, what is this twelfth album intrinsically worth?

First of all, let's underline a production that is once again quite enormous. Jacob Hansen brings his know-how and an external ear to Mat Sinner, officially in charge of the sound. This duet and a very modern heaviness wonderfully serve the rhythm section, but also a massive guitar that makes sparks fly on 'New Rise' or 'The Ritual', two tracks which sound a bit like a modern Helloween. The fact that three guitarists are credited on this album is perhaps not unrelated to this impression either. On these first titles, the rhythm is rather high what makes it possible to sit Primal Fear in the universe of the german power metal at the same time classic and very contemporary.

After this strong introduction, the album continues in a more or less melodic atmosphere with beautiful harmonies, well thought solos, breaks of quality even if the whole lacks a little bit of originality. But as we know, creativity is not the main argument of Alex Beyrodt's band. 'King Of Madness' is particularly accessible and catchy. Some orchestrations introduce somtimes the subject like on 'Supernova', which is a power ballad in which Scheepers pushes far into the treble. This track is the most melodic counterpart of the sextet.

The second part of the album is then a little less heavy to get closer to a more British heavy, with classical riffs but also some small touches of originality like a bridge or a transition. 'Eye Of The Storm' is an epic and cleverly constructed sequel that reach 8 minutes. Everything follows one another marvelously, the vocal lines are almost perfect and the musicality which emerges, in particular thanks to the orchestration, is exciting despite some short lengths.

'Apocalypse' is a very beautiful album that has no redhibitory flaws. You just have to let yourself be carried away by a suite of eleven good songs served by irreproachable musicians. Despite a lack of madness and creativity, Primal Fear does very well the job. - Official website

PRIMAL FEAR

APOCALYPSE

FRONTIERS RECORDS

HEAVY METAL