RuneWalsh2112 After covering most of the post Scheepers Gamma Ray albums, you might be asking why I completely ignored the first three albums featuring Ralf Scheepers on vocals? This has merely to do with the fact that I got acquainted with Gamma Ray pretty late into their career and never really felt the urge to go back and explore the band's early discography. I never had a problem with Scheepers as a front man, on contrary, I consider him an idol of Heavy Metal considering that the man's voice is still as powerful as ever after nearly 30 years in the music business!

Right after quiting Gamma Ray on the pretense of hoping to land a gig with Judas Priest, after Rob Halford quit the band, Ralf Scheepers was left out in the cold. Judas Priest went on to hire Tim 'Ripper' Owens as their new front man while Kai Hansen-fronted Gamma Ray finally broke through to the masses with the release of the acclaimed "Land Of The Free", making it nearly impossible for Scheepers to retrace his steps. Instead of crying over spilled milk, Ralf Scheepers decided to put his bitterness into music and formed Primal Fear!

The band-titled debut album had an uncanny resemblance to the "Painkiller"-era Judas Priest sound. Featuring the same heavy twin guitar action (one of which belongs to Kai Hansen) and the high pitch vocals, making this record the follow up to "Painkiller" that Judas Priest have never delivered on! The album kicks off with the now classic "Chainbreaker" which features everything that you need to know about this band, making it a perfect introduction to Primal Fear.

The rest of the album comprises of a solid mix of tracks that range between the sound of NWoBHM and Power Metal, even though the latter doesn't really manifest itself as much as it will on the band's later releases. The album features a somewhat unnecessary cover of Deep Purple's "Speedking" which really doesn't fit in with the rest of the material, even though it's fun to hear Scheepers covering Gillans classic screams.

If you're a fan of Heavy Metal and are interested in hearing how Judas Priest might have sounded like have Rob Halford not quit the band on the height of their career, then this is definitely a must have album for you! Everyone else should also give it a spin merely out of curiosity, just don't expect the album to be more than the sum of its parts.

***** star songs: Chainbreaker (4:25) Nine Lives (3:08)

**** star songs: Silver & Gold (3:13) Promised Land (4:25) Dollars (3:59) Tears Of Rage (6:48) Speedking (4:01) Running In The Dust (4:38) Thunderdome (3:45)

*** star songs: Primal Fear (0:34) Formula One (4:57) Battalions Of Hate (3:51)

Phonebook Eater 5/10

"Unbreakable" holds tight the usual cliches of Power Metal, without adding much spice to the compositions.

Primal Fear are a Power Metal band from Germany, and have been in the scene since the mid-late nineties, managing to keep a pretty decent level of popularity among fans of the genre. “Unbreakable” is the tenth studio album these guys have released, and it’s pretty much the same thing over and over, the same formulas, probably even a few riffs are the same too, although some are fun and enjoyable.

If there is something that can’t be denied about this album is that its production is incredible, extremely polished and clear. The guitars, thanks to that, sound particularly heavy and in-your-face, and, being Power metal we’re talking about, they are fast and accompanied by the strong, ballzy vocals by Ralf Scheeper that remind a bit of Judas Priest’s Rob Halford, and the fast paced rhythm section.

However, everything in the album seems overdone, and every single riff I hear, even though some are truly good, are just not at all new to my ears. This band looks like they’re not even trying to be original, and they rather stick to the usual clichés of Power Metal, which is already a genre I personally am not always fond of, especially because of it’s cheesy melodies, which are not really abundant in “Unbreakable”, but still present, and do not pass unnoticed, unfortunately.

Some good moments are detectable, like the song “Rise” or the softer “Metal Nation”, but the rest of the tracks sound extremely over the top, overheard Power Metal anthems that don’t really differ one another.

“Unbreakable” might be the bread and butter for hardcore Power Metal fans, because of it’s faithful, strong roots, but, as an occasional listener of the genre, I must say it’s a listen that didn’t do much, nor proposed any new approaches or sonic adventures. And you don’t need much more to be slightly different from the rest.

J-Man Though they don't have a reputation as the most revolutionary group in metal, Primal Fear has gained a large following of dedicated heavy metal fans over the years, many of whom will claim that they are one of the most consistently kick-ass bands in the biz. Listening to Unbreakable is proof that these German metalheads are one of the most impressive bands keeping the torch of traditional heavy metal alive, and while they mainly look to the past for their sound, the amount of ass-kicking you'll hear on this album is enough to justify a purchase from any melodic heavy metal fan. The number of anthem-like choruses, killer guitar solos, and soaring vocal melodies on Unbreakable is almost unheard of - from beginning to end, this is some of the most instantly memorable heavy metal out there. What Primal Fear may lack in terms of innovation is made up by their expertly crafted compositions, and although they may not appeal to the more forward-thinking metal crowd, this is some of the best melodic heavy metal out there. If you, like me, enjoy some ass-kicking throwback heavy metal from time to time, it doesn't get much better than Unbreakable!

Like all Primal Fear albums, the killer vocals from Ralf Scheepers are at the forefront of these melodic and heavy compositions. His soaring vocal melodies are complimented by mean riffs and a rock-solid rhythm section, as well as plenty of breathtaking guitar solos from Magnus Karlsson and Alex Beyrodt. This is a group of top-notch musicians, and there's not a moment on Unbreakable when I doubt their abilities as players and composers. Though most of the songs are relatively fast-paced, there is enough variation throughout Unbreakable (like the surprisingly awesome ballad "Born Again") to keep things from ever sounding dull. Every song is well-written and memorable, although the lyrics occasionally sound a bit cliched - songs like "Metal Nation" sport lyrics that almost sound like a parody, but for those who are able to look past occasionally silly lyrics, there's plenty of top-notch melodic heavy metal here.

Although the style of melodic heavy metal that Primal Fear offers has been done to death over the years, few bands pull it off with as much success as these German veterans. Unbreakable is filled to the brim with unforgettable songwriting and stunning musicianship, and I'd say it's a perfect way to start 2012 for any melodic heavy metal fan. I do crave a bit more ambition and creativity from Primal Fear's core sound, but doing so may very well jeopardize what makes this band so great - they simply deliver excellent heavy metal as it was originally intended, and it is worth checking out for anyone who thinks that sounds appealing. All in all, Unbreakable is a really great album from Primal Fear that I intend to enjoy through 2012 and beyond. 4 stars are well-deserved.

1967/ 1976 This Ep is one of my favorite Power Metal albums or Eps that I have. But this Ep is not perfect. First because "Out In The Field" (Gary Moore) not have the same magic of the original due to the guitar sound (too distorted). Second because "Horrorscope" (that is previously unreleased) present a guitar riff that not conquest me and because this song is too modern (and glammy)and too long. Vice versa "Under Your Spell" is a great song, powerful, dynamic and classic (this song was previously published in "Jaws Of Death" album). Third...: The cover of "Breaker" by Accept. Typical Extreme Speed Metal song it is modeled from "Kill The King" (Rainbow). Good song, same magic of original song. The refrain is better in this version. Last... But not least...: "Kill The King" (Rainbow). Only live version of this song please me. With my great pleasure these version present double bass drums. So this is a new arrangement from live version (oh my God!!!)! Surprise: Ralf Scheepers is not Dio but extreme close to Dio and also Blackmore is here! In few words this is the best song of this "Horrorscope"!

In definitive: "Horrorscope" is a strange Ep. As Ep is excellent but in truth the song that not please me ruin my feeling with this Ep. That without "Kill The King" is only another Power Metal release.