Review by Paddy Gallagher for MPM
There comes a time when circumstances demand Metal of a certain genre. If you find life piling the pressure on, a therapeutic blast of crisp, heavy riffs can work wonders, clearing the mind of all its accumulated junk.
Step forward Primal Fear. A band steeped in the finest traditions of European “Power Metal”, a band who’s current and past line-ups have included major named musicians in EU Metal Royalty.
“Domination” is their 15th studio album containing 13 tracks, and several new band members. We still have the unmistakable soaring vocal gymnastics of Ralf Scheepers, surely one of Metal’s most powerful voices and co-founder Mat Sinner on bass and producer duties along with 17-year Primal Fear veteran Magnus Karlsson on guitar (and back on touring duties with the band). In comes new drummer André Hilgers, with the unit completed by guitarist Thalìa Bellazecca.
“The Hunter” kicks things off with chorus vocal melodies soaring skywards and fist pumping riffs in a way in which Primal Fear have always excelled swiftly followed by “Destroyer” providing a stunning second concussive beating via its pounding beat.
Third track “Far Away” tells us the story of a soul journeying back towards a reunion with a former love; not a cheesy ballad, no sir! Still balls to the wall stuff! Was there a hint of Helloween in the vocal melodies?
“I Am the Primal Fear”, bearing the band’s name lays down the message of who Primal Fear is! “Tears of Fire” is followed by “Heroes and Gods” with its symphonic choral chorus
“Hallucinations” is an atmospheric instrumental with exquisite guitar work providing a distinct midpoint of the album and leading nicely into “Eden”, a magnificent, symphonic composition that is verification of what lifts Primal Fear above many contemporaries.
“Scream” kicks the tempo back up and induces neck swinging workouts before the swaggering riffs of “The Dead Don’t Die” and its chorus which leaves much of 1980s Sunset Strip in the shadows. The devil’s knocking at the door in “Crossfire” before the tribal chants introducing the story of a young warrior in “March Boy March” stunning with speed metal verses and an incensed vocals from Ralf.
Violins and Piano provide a mournful start to final track “A Tune I Won’t Forget”. The broken, spoken word verse leads into a powerful, emotional symphonic chorus highlighting the power of Ralf’s voice before climaxing in a single recurring bell toll, celebrating the power of music.
So, without a doubt this is the strongest Primal Fear album in recent times, a colossal feat considering the personnel changes in the past year. 2023’s release, “Code Red” saw a 6-piece Primal Fear, out went Tom Naumann for the third time, Alex Beyrodt and Michael Ehré; a major shake up but one that didn’t affect the songwriting process as evident here.
A strong addition to Primal Fear’s discography, “Domination” would be a fine addition to your collection too! You won’t be disappointed.
PRIMAL FEAR are:
Ralf Scheepers | vocals
Mat Sinner | bass, vocals
Magnus Karlsson | guitars
Thalìa Bellazecca | guitars
André Hilgers | drums
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