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Primal Fear - 16.6 (Before The Devil Knows You're Dead)

Published May 14 2009


*
=Staff's pick

Before The Devil Knows You're Dead
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


Genre Heavy Metal
Ralf Scheepers
Vocals
Tracks 15
Henny Wolter
Guitar
Runningtime 69 Min.
Magnus Karlsson
Guitar
Label Frontiers Records
Mat Sinner
Bass
Release 22 May 2009
Randy Black
Drums
Country Germany
-
Keyboard
Similar artists Judas Priest, Sinner, Rage, Silent Force

16.6 (Before The Devil Knows You're Dead) is the eighth offering from German Metal providers Primal Fear. This time around they had to inject new blood to their line-up since guitarist Stefan Leibing no longer can be found in their ranks. As his replacement they recruited renowned Swedish guitarist/composer Magnus Karlsson who recently has worked as a song writer for Bob Catley and Allen/Lande but is also known for his work in bands like Last Tribe and Starbreaker.

The recruitment of Magnus has added an extra dimension to Primal Fear since he is not only a great musician but also, as earlier mentioned, a skilled song writer. They now have several members that are able to contribute with new material and this is probably why the diversity is more than usual, probably also the reason why the number of songs presented on the disc are as massive as 15. The first mentioned is of course a good thing but releasing an album with a playing time of 69 minutes is risky business that few get away with.

Primal Fear's previous album New Religion was a huge disappointment and not at all on par with its brilliant predecessor (Seven Seals). When listening to the new album I'm very pleased to hear that New Religion just was an exception since 16.6 (Before The Devil Knows You're Dead) displays Primal Fear with energy, melody and diversity. The founding base for a great album so to speak.

After a short intro Riding The Eagle opens the album in the best of ways. This is a speedy and highly melodic track with pumping double bass drum that breathes classic Primal Fear all over. A composition that most certainly will please all fans of their third album Nuclear Fire. The tempo is a bit reduced on the heavy and anthemic Six Times Dead (16.6), the stomping rhythm and catchy chorus will make this a splendid addition to their live set on the upcoming tour. On Black Rain the musical direction takes a U-turn since this is a slow track with melodies reminiscent of the Middle-East and a huge chorus as the cream of the crop.

Under The Radar is yet again solid ground for Primal Fear and a song that bare resemblance with acts like Gamma Ray and Helloween, melodic Heavy Metal to the bone! 5.0/Torn is a mid tempo composition with atmospheric and symphonic sounds in the background and a heavy beat in the foreground. This one is moving around in the same sonic landscapes that were found on Seven Seals, yet again with an accessible and catchy chorus.

All the aforementioned songs makes the beginning of the record impressive to say the least but with Soar the first filler can be found. Modern in its sound which could be looked upon as vital injection that grants diversity but when the melodies are extremely dull and boring this attempt falls flat. The following tracks follows the same pattern regarding quality; Killbound is heavy but uninspired, the ballad No Smoke Without Fire is a functional sleeping pill and Night After Night is a mid tempo standard piece without personality.

This temporary dip is saved by a great riff-monster entitled Smith & Wesson that makes your head bang again. The Exorcist continues on the beaten path regarding quality and is probably the most aggressive track on the album. Funny enough this is followed by the extremely soft and cute composition Hands Of Time that is on the border to be labeled as pop, and as you probably already have guessed it's nothing but awful. As a bonus we are served Cry Havoc and Scream which are solid in quality without changing the perception of things, they do quite well in rounding the album off but nothing more.

The performance is of course top notch with these highly skilled musicians. Ralf Scheepers has toned down his worst high pitch screams which is for the better if you ask me. I have never been fond of his Halfordesque screams but when he displays the whole register in his possession the greatness of his voice is fully revealed. The production is crystal clear and fittingly heavy that serves the compositions well. The amount of songs is however far too many and a couple of fillers lower my final judgment. Still, 16.6 (Before The Devil Know's Your Dead) is dominated by melodic Heavy Metal at its best and despite some flaws it's a safe buy for fans of the band or the genre in general.

See also review of: Best Of Fear , Rulebreaker , Delivering The Black , Unbreakable , Seven Seals , Devil's Ground , Black Sun , Nuclear Fire , Horrorscope

Performance
Originality
Production
Vocals
Songwriting

8

5

8

8

7,5

 
Summary



7,5 chalices of 10 - Hawk


Related links:

www.primalfear.de
www.myspace.com/primalfearofficial