Primal Fear 16.6 (Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead)
by Joe Mis
Staff Writer
Excellence of execution… There isn’t much more you can say about the latest from Primal Fear, 16.6 (Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead). Frontiers Records has released this melodic power metal opus in Europe on May 22, 2009, and it will hit the stores in the USA on June 9.
For those of you not familiar with Primal Fear, get ready for a treat. This veteran metal band has been together in one form or another for more than 10 years, and the experience shows. Primal Fear is the closest thing to a power metal “supergroup” out there today, yet they get surprisingly little press in the US. With a little luck this album will get them onto the radar in the States.
Musically, 16.6 is a unique mix of Judas Priest and Dream Theater, with the power and energy of Priest blending in nicely with the progressive metal aspects of DT. Vocalist Ralf Scheepers (Gamma Ray) is a versatile talent. He reinforces the comparison as at times he strongly reminds one of Priest’s Rob Halford (albeit with a smaller range), and DT’s James LaBrie at others – while always remaining his own man. Guitarists Magnus Karlsson (Allen-Lande, Starbreaker) and Henny Wolter (Thunderhead, Sinner) make a superb team and play off each other in much the same manner of Tipton/Downing (Judas Priest), Murray/Smith (Iron Maiden) or Schenker/Jabs (Scorpions) – the whole IS more than the sum of the parts. They lay down some really sharp harmonies and double solos. Bassist Matt Sinner (Sinner) and drummer Randy Black (Annihilator) provide the bottom end and drive the music. They make one of the better power metal rhythm sections active today. Matt Sinner also produced the album, which contributes to the overall sound.
“Riding The Eagle” opens the album with a fast paced high-energy “Euro-metal” vibe – great guitar work and monster double bass drumming. “Six Times Dead (16.6)” is a pounding but catchy song, a true arena metal classic. Great guitar riffs and awesome rolling bass lines fill the rest of the album, but Primal Fear never loses the melody. As powerful as this album is, it never forgets to be musical. The choruses are catchy and easy to remember – you can sing along quickly. Highlights – “Under The Radar” (great riff), ”5.0 / Torn” (excellent lyrics and musicianship), and the softer ”No Smoke Without Fire” and “Hands Of Time” – the latter being a ballad with a number of band members sharing the lead vocals.
There is only one downside to this masterpiece – it is over-engineered. The sound is so perfect, the music is so perfect, and the vocal tracks are so perfect that it must have taken take after take after take to get this one in the can. The production team has sacrificed some natural human warmth in their quest for sonic precision, and at times the sound is cold and sterile. It will be difficult for any band to play to this level of musicianship during a live show, but if any band can pull it off …
16.6 (Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead) is a winner, and will sit in your CD player for a long time. Put a copy in the car, roll down the windows and turn it up.
Label: Frontiers Records
Web: Frontiers & Primal Fear Official
Track Listing:
“Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead” (Instrumental)
”Riding The Eagle”
”Six Times Dead (16.6)”
”Black Rain”
“Under The Radar”
”5.0 / Torn”
”Soar”
”Killbound”
”No Smoke Without Fire”
”Night After Night”
”Smith & Wesson”
”The Exorcist”
”Hands Of Time”
“Cry Havoc”
“Scream”
HRH Rating: 9.7/10