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Feeling adventurous, faithful reader? Good. Let me go out on a limb and say that Germany's answer to Judas Priest have just bested that outfit's so-called brilliant comeback/reunion effort with their latest platter "Seven Seals." Really, though it is a close call. Where "Angel of Retribution" often sounded tired or bloated, particularly on the dreadfully long and pretentious "Loch Ness" -- have you heard/read those lyrics? Ugh! -- Primal Fear attack with a fury and focus I found largely missing from the Metal Gods' last offering. Oh, sure, the fact that Rob Halford got back together with his old running mates was momentous enough, but a solid record that does not necessarily make. Didja see some of the lyrics? I mean, really, c'mon!
"Seven Seals" finds Ralf Scheepers sounding like he was justifiably indignant that K.K. and Glenn didn't call him about the opening in the band once Rob went off to "experiment." Could he have filled those shoes and that motorcycle seat? Sure. Would he have been better than Tim "Ripper" Owens? Who can say? It's just as well that he got to focus on Primal Fear anyway. What we have here on Primal Fear's newest slab is a fist pumping album full of anthemic Metal hymns that fans of everyone from Iron Maiden to Mercyful Fate to Manowar and especially Judas Priest can really get into.
Along with the classic Heavy Metal sound that some call Power Metal is a veritable Thrash vibe on "Seven Seals." Keyboards are used to flesh out some songs, invoking King Diamond and 1980s Ozzy or even some Symphonic Black Metal. A sort of pop sensibility -- only in terms of being quite familiar in that early 80s way -- is also present on some of the slower songs (notably on "Diabolus"). Guitar squawks and squeals recall Zakk Wylde's signature style while the bass is significantly strong to thicken up the album's overall sound. Drumming is excellent, even offering some good double bass drum work. The production is crystal clear and reveals all parts as a unified whole.
No, this is not the most original thing to come down the pike in years, but fans of the genre and certainly of Primal Fear will fully enjoy "Seven Seals." If Judas Priest themselves weren't so busy trying to make everyone believe that they really do like Black and Nü Metal, etc., they'd probably be out enjoying this album, too. So would Bruce Dickinson if he wasn't so full of himself. Seriously. This is definitely a fine album from this pack of veteran Metallers with a familiar overall sound and lyrical themes. Solid. Watch out for 3 songs that clock in at over 7 minutes each, with 2 at almost 8.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Demons And Angels |
| 2. Rollercoaster |
| 3. Seven Seals |
| 4. Evil Spell |
| 5. The Immortal Ones |
| 6. Diabolus |
| 7. All For One |
| 8. Carniwar |
| 9. Question Of Honour |
| 10. In Memory |
: 54.21
| Buy other Primal Fear albums |
