"Seven seals" LP by Primal Fear

by Jürgen Tschamler (10/05) Respect, honest respect! Because on their new album, "Seven seals", the band around Mat Sinner sounds more variable than ever before. The enormous heaviness of the predecessor, "Devil's ground" was taken back for the favour of more groove in the songs. It's also obvous that Ralf Scheepers has said goodbye to his urge to get vocally into the highest heights which also adds to the outcome of the album. Ralf sounds more releaxed with the effect that they don't seem to always look across to Judas Priest. Also the guitars have more groove instead of metallic heaviness, only. Despite these changes, the trademarks of the German Power Metal icon are still there, mistakes excluded. My personal favourite on the album: "Evil spell". A speedy killer-song that you wouldn't believe Primal Fear are capable of. Brilliant! But also the title track, a fat song that begins ballad-like culminating in a true earwig has taken control of my Metal heart. "Rollercoaster" or "Carniwar" (with a monster chorus!) are relaxed, edgy Power Metal killers that should delight every Primal Fear fan. If I'm correct, "Question of honour" should be an early Sinner song that was refined here. Shortly: Primal Fear have created an album that lets you finally forget the old comparisons with Judas Priest. A excellent album!