On January 24th, 2014 Frontiers Records released Primal Fear's eleventh album "Delivering the Black”. This record is brutal. The rhythm section kicks you in the chest, the singer shatters glass (Rob Helford, eat your heart out!) and the guitar duo shreds and shreds some more.... and that's only from hearing the first song "King for a Day".
Like something out of the movie 300, "Rebel Fraction" has a cinematic intro, but that's just the intro...the song starts and they all drop on you non-stop for about five minutes. "When Death comes Knocking", he settles things down, but the groove is strong and steady. Listen for the sitar effect on the pre-solo. Its grace notes make the song. "Alive and on Fire", "Delivering the Black" and Road to Asylum" are relentless. Like speeding down white water rapids; this is how these songs flow - thrashing you against the rocks as you beg for it all to stop.
When you float down the rapids, there is a moment of calm. That's where "One Night in December" comes in. It's still no smooth sailing because again, the groove pounds you and the guitars are an air raid on your serenity. Then when you thought you were safe, "Never pray for Justice" tips your raft and everyone falls out. Now you're all apples floating and bobbing helplessly down the river again...without a paddle..."Born with a Broken Heart" is like the long walk back to camp when the trip is over. You're weak and tired from the battery and every note intensifies the pain.
To finish off the barrage of beatings, "Inseminoid" will pile-drive you several times before the end of the song. (Is there a doctor in the house??) Downside is the bass is buried in the mix, but I'm a bassist so I'm biased. Upside is delivering the Black delivers and they don't even expect a tip!
There is strong songwriting, vicious grooves and raw power with exceptional production, plus the sound is crisp. On some records, the kick drum is "clicky"…you won’t find that here. The rhythms are tight and powerful.
I know this sounds redundant, but I give Primal Fear a resounding NINE! I didn't stop head banging. I even moshed around the house freaking out my wife! The energy is that intense on this record. You can and will get stuff on their site. If you don't, I'll find out who you are...
Tim Duran, HMS
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