Primal Fear

(Nuclear Blast)
by Scott Hefflon

Ever wondered what Judas Priest would sound like in their Metal God prime if they were around in ’98? (Sure, I know there’s a band called Judas Priest out there, but we’re talking Priest here!) The answer, much as I kinda have trouble admitting it, is Primal Fear. If you always loved Priest, but thought their production lacked the over-the-topness currently available to hacks with half the songwriting talent, besides being right, you’d probably find completion in listening to Primal Fear. Sure, it takes some getting used to. They were all in Priest tribute/cover bands for fuck’s sake, how can you respect ’em after that!?! Heavy metal fuckin’ Kareoke is what it boils down to. But the truly frightening thing is that not only does Primal Fear write better Priest songs than Priest currently does, they’re incorporating all the elements of Helloween that’ve been lacking in that band for years now! To make this 100% clear; Primal Fear have locked onto what was absolutely magical about Priest and Helloween when both bands were the absolute shit, and they combine those elements into one band. Terrifying, isn’t it? (Admitting that a post-cover band blows away both your memories of the originals and the current sad state of the originals as they limp along the weary road to extinction is the hardest part, trust me.) I’m going to quit reviewing this CD now, not because there’s a lack of praise to heap upon it, but because it’s painful as all shit to have your heroes get their butts whooped before your very ears.