PRIMAL FEAR - review added 16th January 2012
Album Review: Unbreakable (2012)
For fans of: Power Metal
"Unbreakable" is the follow-up to Primal Fear's superb 2009 album "16.6 (Before The Devil Knows You're Dead)". When I say superb I really mean it. For me it was their finest work to date, meaning the new one has a lot to do if it wants to match its predecessor.
Rather cleverly though, the band haven't tried to compete; they have gone for a change of sound. This time rather than intelligent style and finesse, they've gone for a straight ahead power metal sound; meaning rapid-fire drums, speedy guitars and a totally over the top vibe. Subtle "Unbreakable" ain't, but with a few spins it becomes damned enjoyable.
Musicianship-wise, there are few complaints. I can't think of many bands with a more talented line-up - Primal Fear really is a supergroup masquerading as a normal metal band. Ralf Scheepers has an astonishing voice, Magnus Karlsson and Alex Beyrodt are Gods on guitar, and Randy Black and Mat Sinner are stunning on drums and bass respectively. Add in Erik Martensson and Oliver Hartmann on backing vocals, and there's enough talent here to make any rock fan suspiciously moist.
Of the songs, 'Strike', 'Give Em Hell', 'Bad Guys Wear Black', and 'And There Was Silence', stand out, though nothing is anything other than riotously enjoyable and LOUD.
In Summation:
Much more straight ahead than the previous album. Not quite as out-and-out brilliant, but still a very fine metal album indeed.
Entertainment/Enjoyment:
Musicianship:
Vocals:
Song Writing:
Production:
Overall (Not An Average Of The Above):
Track List:
01. Unbreakable (Part1)
02. Strike
03. Give Em Hell
04. Bad Guys Wear Black
05. And There Was Silence
06. Metal Nation
07. Where Angels Die
08. Unbreakable (Part 2)
09. Marching Again
10. Born Again
11. Blaze Of Glory
12. Conviction
Band/Performers:
Ralf Scheepers – Vocals
Alex Beyrodt – Guitars
Magnus Karlsson – Guitar, Keyboards
Randy Black – Drums
Mat Sinner – Bass & Vocals
Other Info:
Produced by Mat Sinner
E
ngineered and mixed by Achim Koehler
Label: Frontiers Records
Artist's website(s): Primal Fear | MySpace | Facebook
