Primal Fear
Delivering the Black
Frontiers Records
2014
Primal Fear’s previous album “Unbreakable” did receive some not so favorable reviews and even if the band has some pretty good musicians in its ranks like singer Ralf Scheepers who’s a dead ringer for Rob Halford and a power metal minor deity, right there... the guitar duo of Alex Beyrodt & Magnus Karlsson who apart from being fine guitar slingers are both good songwriters and a great rhythm team in Matt Sinner and Randy Black on bass and drums respectively, both also very well known for their contributions in the metal world, there were quite a few songs on it, that didn't quite proudly justify the involvement of the aforementioned. I suppose with all the “extracurricular” activities of all the members involved in the band, like producing, partaking in various projects and writing songs for other bands and people, adding to the fact that the band has released about 10 albums in a career than spans about 15 active years or so, were always going to catch up and take their toll…
“Delivering the Black”, seems to try and rectify things a bit by trying to strip back all the “frills” and go for a more to the point – “to the metal” approach... up to a point it works – it’s a more direct album than “Unbreakable”... but that tactic, seems to be backfiring a bit, as the just over do it, on certain songs sounding very “simple” almost pedestrian and too repetitive and predictable... but then again, I’d almost definitely take some of the songs on this album over some toe curling – daft stuff like “Bad Guys Wear Black” which was a single – mind ya :P from the previous album.
The band plays it’s predictable “second rate” Judas Priest meets Accept and other Teutonic bands metal, which on occasion can sound good, like on the single “When Death Comes Knocking” which might be a little corny once more, but at least is catchy... the muscular and relentless “Road to Asylum” that might not be too complex, but at least, manages to hit the bulls eye... the also basic but effective “Alive and on Fire” and maybe the title track that has a decent chorus and nice solos but seems to somehow, have better moments and others that it slightly falters in. Songs like the almost 10 minute long “One Night in December” try to be epic and atmospheric, but mostly manage to tire because of their duration and slower tempo... and lack of a super catchy hook. The much “advertised” ballad “Born with a Broken Heart” that features Liv Christine, ain’t too bad, even though she’s not “that audible” doing backing vocals. She almost sounds like a keyboard texture, on several places and I suppose, it took me a few times to get to like the song and still I wasn’t completely “amazed”, I just thought, OK, it’s nice, pretty good solo, towards the end... but that was it. Oh and then there’s the totally stupidly titled “Inseminoid” that is probably one of the best songs, all double bass drum and high pitched vocals and drum rolls and dual solos... but wtf – is the title meant to mean?!
Overall, a better album than their previous that was allegedly a misstep, according to many. A maintenance album that will keep the fans of the band content. All is well in European power metal land, all is as it were...
“Delivering the Black”, seems to try and rectify things a bit by trying to strip back all the “frills” and go for a more to the point – “to the metal” approach... up to a point it works – it’s a more direct album than “Unbreakable”... but that tactic, seems to be backfiring a bit, as the just over do it, on certain songs sounding very “simple” almost pedestrian and too repetitive and predictable... but then again, I’d almost definitely take some of the songs on this album over some toe curling – daft stuff like “Bad Guys Wear Black” which was a single – mind ya :P from the previous album.
The band plays it’s predictable “second rate” Judas Priest meets Accept and other Teutonic bands metal, which on occasion can sound good, like on the single “When Death Comes Knocking” which might be a little corny once more, but at least is catchy... the muscular and relentless “Road to Asylum” that might not be too complex, but at least, manages to hit the bulls eye... the also basic but effective “Alive and on Fire” and maybe the title track that has a decent chorus and nice solos but seems to somehow, have better moments and others that it slightly falters in. Songs like the almost 10 minute long “One Night in December” try to be epic and atmospheric, but mostly manage to tire because of their duration and slower tempo... and lack of a super catchy hook. The much “advertised” ballad “Born with a Broken Heart” that features Liv Christine, ain’t too bad, even though she’s not “that audible” doing backing vocals. She almost sounds like a keyboard texture, on several places and I suppose, it took me a few times to get to like the song and still I wasn’t completely “amazed”, I just thought, OK, it’s nice, pretty good solo, towards the end... but that was it. Oh and then there’s the totally stupidly titled “Inseminoid” that is probably one of the best songs, all double bass drum and high pitched vocals and drum rolls and dual solos... but wtf – is the title meant to mean?!
Overall, a better album than their previous that was allegedly a misstep, according to many. A maintenance album that will keep the fans of the band content. All is well in European power metal land, all is as it were...