Like a phoenix arising from the ashes, the Teutonic masters of Power Metal are back in action with their thirteenth opus, a hard-hitting metal lesson and living proof of the healing power of music.
The phoenix arising from the ashes is a much-cited motif in cultural history; it seldom fits as well as it does with the triumphant return of Esslingen, Germany-based Power Metal masters Primal Fear armed with their thirteenth studio opus, titled Code Red, the follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2020 album Metal Commando. Recorded and mixed by Sebastian Roeder, Mitch Kunz and Ralf Scheepers at Backyard Studios, mastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios, and displaying a triumphant eagle of steel rising from the ashes in the artwork, which could definitely represent the rebirth of our beloved Mat Sinner, who almost lost his life a couple of years ago, Code Red is a hard-hitting metal lesson and living proof of the healing power of music and the brotherhood behind the riffs where vocalist Ralf Scheepers, bassist (and survivor) Mat Sinner, the triple guitar phalanx of Tom Naumann, Alex Beyrodt and Magnus Karlsson, as well as drummer Michael Ehré, blast us with a zeitgeisty manifesto that provides eleven essential arguments of why power metal will simply never go under.
Their Power Metal feast begins in full force with the headbanging Another Hero, where Ralf already showcases all his vocal range, not to mention the song’s catchy, singalong chorus (“Where is the savior who shows us the way / We need a guide back to sanity / In times like these without piece of mind / We need someone who stops this inhumanity / Another hero”); whereas Bring That Noise (originally called “The Flood” when details of the album were revealed) sounds even more melodic thanks to the great guitar job done by Magnus, Alex and Tom with their incendiary riffs and solos. Needless to say, it should work perfectly if played live. The second single of the album released a few weeks ago, the mid-tempo tune Deep in the Night, focuses on the power of the riff while Michael keeps pounding his drums with tons of precision, followed by Cancel Culture, where we face modern-day words roared by Ralf (“Into the circus of life we were pushed out of nowhere / Growing, maturing and loving and hating the game / Saddle the horse for a future that’s basically unknown / We procreate, viciate, twisting the facts without shame / Manipulating”) in almost seven minutes of classic, hammering Heavy and Power Metal for the masses. And those German metallers invest in a fun and vibrant Hard Rock and Rock N’ Roll vibe in the dancing and thrilling Play a Song, showcasing striking riffs and the always rumbling bass lines by the one and only Mat Sinner, proving why heavy music will always have a healing power for all of us metalheads.
It’s then time for a more introspective, darker song titled The World Is on Fire, with the band’s guitar triumvirate once again distilling their sharp and caustic riffs for our total delight. Put differently, it’s classic Primal Fear with no shenanigans spearheaded by Ralf’s trademark soaring vocals. Acoustic guitars then set the tone in Their Gods Have Failed, before the music evolves into a Doom Metal-infused sound that reminds me of some of the best Black Sabbath songs with Dio on vocals; whereas another epic intro explodes into sheer Power Metal magic in Steelmelter, with Magnus, Alex, Tom and Mat kicking some serious ass armed with their stringed weapons, making it clear why Primal Fear always thrive when they focus on a more straightforward sonority. They keep blasting their instruments in great fashion in Raged by Pain, where Ralf will pierce your ears with his high-pitched screams, resulting in another strong contender to be part of their upcoming live performances. The band slows things down and brings forward a power ballad titled Forever (by the way, one more ballad named “Forever” in the rock and metal world), a decent song where Ralf steals the spotlight as usual, although not as good as all of their other ballads form previous albums. Last but not least, those Teutonic rockers get back on track with their metallic, razor-edged Power Metal in Fearless, led by the classic beats by Michael and, therefore, positioning it as an excellent tune for some vigorous headbanging.
In a nutshell, Code Red (which is available for a full listen on YouTube and on Spotify) represents much more than just another powerful album in their undisputed career; it’s an inspiring and emotional opus for everyone who follows Primal Fear and was extremely worried about the health and the fate of the band’s mastermind Mat Sinner. Fortunately, the gods of metal seem to be on Mat’s side, allowing him to be the band’s own phoenix and get back in action alongside his loyal bandmates to provide us with more of their electrifying Heavy Metal. Hence, don’t forget to give the guys form Primal Fear a shout on Facebook and on Instagram, and to grab your copy of another incendiary blast of heavy music by those German metallic eagles from the Atomic Fire Records website or by clicking HERE. A lot of people thought this Power Metal steel eagle was dead and gone after what happened with Mat, but of course they were absolutely wrong, and Code Red is among us to remind us why they’ve been one of the most powerful names of the scene since their inception back in the 90’s. As they say in their new album, when the whole world feels wrong, just play a song (by Primal Fear)!
Best moments of the album: Bring That Noise, Play a Song, The World Is on Fire and Steelmelter.
Worst moments of the album: Forever.
Released in 2023 Atomic Fire Records
Track listing
1. Another Hero 4:59
2. Bring That Noise 4:49
3. Deep in the Night 5:47
4. Cancel Culture 6:48
5. Play a Song 4:15
6. The World Is on Fire 5:01
7. Their Gods Have Failed 7:23
8. Steelmelter 4:46
9. Raged by Pain 3:22
10. Forever 5:12
11. Fearless 5:29
Band members
Ralf Scheepers – vocals
Mat Sinner – bass, backing vocals
Magnus Karlsson – guitars, keyboards
Alex Beyrodt – guitars
Tom Naumann – guitars
Michael Ehré – drums
THE HEADBANGING MOOSE 