Search - Primal Fear :: New Religion

Oh. My. GOD!!!

Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 04/12/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Every once in a while, an album will come along that not-so-subtly reminds you that you don't know as much as you think you do about a band. Primal Fear's latest release New Religion is one of those albums. I sampled a couple of Primal Fear discs a few years ago (Nuclear Fire and Jaws of Death) and assumed I knew all I needed to about the band - that they were a Judas Priest worshipping power metal band, and not a terribly memorable one at that. Imagine my surprise when the band hit the stage at last year's ProgPower USA festival. Primal Fear delivered a set of melodic power metal so intense that I literally had to pick my jaw up off the floor. A buddy explained that while their early work paled in comparison to the band's later albums, particularly their 2007 release New Religion.



After experiencing Primal Fear live, there was no way in Hell I was going to pass this album up. And even after that live performance, I think I still underestimated this album. Well, I can admit when I was wrong, and this is me doing so. New Religion is easily the best power metal album I've heard since Blind Guardian's last release, and that's saying something. The heart of the album is the same Judas Priest-influenced power metal I remember from earlier albums, but with a much more mature and melodic style (think Gamma Ray with more um...testicular fortitude). Keyboards are used more prominently on this album, and there are also some tastefully utilized orchestral elements. One particularly bright spot is the song Face the Emptiness, in which Ralf Scheepers duets with Epica vocalist Simone Simons. Speaking of Scheepers, this guy is like a force of nature (with unnaturally large biceps). It's easy to see how he came so close to being chosen as Rob Halford's replacement. He's an incredible frontman with real range, and is the perfect counterpoint to bassist and creative force Mat Sinner. I could list all of the standout tracks on this album, but there really isn't a song that doesn't stand out. New Religion is one incredible heavy metal song after another, and if your heart isn't pounding faster after hearing it, you may want to see a doctor.



I usually try and wrap up a review with a recommendation based on the specific genre that an album falls into. With New Religion I can make it real simple. If you love metal, buy this album! I guess if you buy nothing but extreme music, you won't have much use for Primal Fear, but pretty much every other metal fan should hear this.



PS - Magnus Karlsson (Last Tribe/Starbreaker), who made a guest appearance on this album, has since become a full member of Primal Fear. I can only imagine how great their next album will be with such an incredible guitarist/songwriter/producer on board.

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