Rulebreaker Primal Fear 2016 Frontiers Records Primal Fear are a Heavy Metal band from Germany, who’s fast and heavy riffs are reminiscent of Painkiller era Judas Priest. But, Primal Fear are not a straight up imitation of Judas Priest, they a have their own sound, that has been honed over their 18-year career. Rulebreaker is Primal Fear’s 11th studio album and the follow up the 2014’s Delivering the Black and what Primal Fear has delivered with Rulebreaker is a top drawer Heavy Metal album. The production on Rulebreaker has been done by bassist Mat Sinner and he has had a deft final touch. Sinner has sonically produced a masterpiece, it’s heavy and fast, harking back to good decent European Metal albums of the 90’s and early 2000’s. But this isn’t saying that the production is dated, Rulebreaker has a clean, modern polishing without losing any of its Metal integrity. The sound on Rulebreaker is a testament to the work that Sinner has put in. From the opening groan of Angels of Mercy, Rulebreaker has you. The twin guitars of Tom Naumann and Alex Beyrodt make an assault attack on your ears, their riffs are breath-taking throughout, technically brilliant, fast, heavy and would be irresistible to any fans of Judas Priest and their German peers, Accept. The use of pinch harmonics by Naumann and Beyrodt isn’t overdone, they only serve to fit and emphasise a point in the riff. The guitar playing throughout is not just fast, but it is exceptionally melodic, the guitar runs that both Naumann and Beyrodt conduct are fluid and precise and their harmony work is an absolute pleasure to listen to, especially on Rulebreaker’s 10 minute epic, We Walk Without Fear. To concentrate on the guitars so much would be taking away from the other members. The drumming of Francesco Jovino isn’t just there for keeping time. Jovino, just like the guitars plays very fluid and he doesn’t just bash a 4/4 beat with double bass. Every bar has been thought out meticulously and Jovino’s drumming alone would be enough to hold your attention. The bass of Sinner is a true rock, it doesn’t really deviate away from providing a backing for the riff, but it does what is needed like so many good, decent bass players. Sinner holds the fort for the rest of the guys to do their thing. Primal Fear also have a multi-intrumentalist in Magnus Karlsson, who not only adds to the guitars, but his keyboard playing provides so much emphasis with his stabbing notes. However, it is the vocals of Ralf Scheepers which make Primal Fear so appealing. Scheepers voice is easily able to float between melodic and low to screaming high Rob Halford-esque screams that are something to behold and could give the master himself a run for his money! As mentioned above, Rulebreaker is a top draw metal album, the songs are well crafted, with memorable catchy hooks and melodic choruses. The title track is a perfect example of this, however other highlights of Rulebreaker are The End is Near, In Metal We Trust, Bullets & Tears, The Devil in Me and The Sky is Burning. Rulebreaker clocks in at 52 minutes and certainly does feel anywhere near that long. Each song is enjoyable and a pleasure to listen to and come the year end, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Rulebreaker was sat very near the top. 9/10 Adam The End is Near (Sinner/Karlsson/Scheepers)
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