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Primal Fear - Apocalypse



Release date - 10.8.18 
Record Label - Frontiers Music SRL

Track Listing
1. Apocalypse
2. New Rise
3. The Ritual
4. King Of Madness
5. Blood, Sweat, & Fear
6. Supernova
7. Hail To The Fear
8. Hounds Of Justice
9. The Beast
10. Eye Of The Storm
11. Cannonball
12. Fight Against Evil (Bonus Track – Deluxe Version)
13. Into The Fire (Bonus Track – Deluxe Version)
14. My War Is Over (Bonus Track – Deluxe Version)

It's been a while since I posted a review. Partly because I've been listening to different genres of music that don't fit this blog. Partly because I've been in the mood to listen to old music and the albums I've already reviewed. Another reason is not much has stood out to me recently to feel like I need to tell you about. That was until today. Primal Fear have been going for 21 years and it was only today I have given them the time of day. I heard the song 'The Ritual' on Down the Front podcast #86 and in the first 10 seconds I knew I was going to love it. I instantly went to Spotify to listen to the whole thing. I was correct.

Primal fear have an extensive back catalogue and I don't know any of it (as of yet). With that in mind I can't tell you if this a good album in relation to any older material but what I can tell you is that it's good full stop. It bears many similarities with Judas Priest's 'Firepower' album in style and production and that's one of the best albums this year so far. Where it differs is has a more European (German specifically as that's where they are from) edge. More straight double bass playing and leaning on the edge of power metal. Whilst vocally there are moments where it even sounds like Rob Halford the typical sound is a gruff low vocal layered into 2/3 part harmonies and I love a good vocal harmony. Particularly over crushing metal riffs and relentlessly pounding drums and this album is full of them.

There isn't much in the way of variation on this album but that was never a problem for bands like Motorhead and AC/DC. Primal fear at least on this album appear to be the same. You know what you're going to get. There are some slower tempo tracks but none that would be considered a traditional ballad. It is solidly consistent in what it delivers though which is hard hitting heavy metal with classic metal vocals.

If you're someone like I was yesterday who had never listened to Primal Fear but considered yourself a fan of bands like Judas Priest then check out this album. It's a banger!



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