What we have here, is a metal monster! Yes, it’s tailor made for the metal audience, as have been all Primal Fear albums, so it’s a matter of personal taste of course. But if you have been a long time Primal Fear fan, or following Mat Sinner and Ralf Scheepers – then Rulebreaker is a buy or die release.
Contrary to the title, the guys don’t break any metal rule – instead they adhere to them to the letter. Big screaming riffs, big screaming vocals and a high impact rhythm section pounding out the tunes.
What the guys have done here is increase their credibility as one of Europe’s premiere pure metal bands.
And the energy within is hard to contain.
We have 11 tracks – all relatively concise at under 5 minutes and some under 4 – with one 10 minute epic right in the middle.
Highlights include the fast moving opener Angels Of Mercy; the darker chugging metal of The End Is Near and the more melodic Bullets & Tears (great hook); plus the anthemic Rulebreaker; the slow/fast/mid-paced/fast epic We Walk Without Fear and the brain crushing riffage of The Devil In Me.
The big metal ballad The Sky Is Burning is one of the biggest sounding tracks I’ve heard from these guys. Epic.
Everything I expected and have heard from the guys previously – just better. Really strong songs, a huge production and fabulous mix and lots and lots and lots of guitars. Loud guitars.
