Primal Fear

Getting back into this band again after a while away from them. I love the unabashed, unashamed flag of heavy metal these guys fly. Solid riffing, good solos, thunderous bottom end, and vocals among the greatest of any band. While the songwriting at times has gotten a bit stale, they still can write a great song. There are three tracks off Rulebreaker that just smoke and easily take their place next to the other greats of this band.

Primal Fear - never got into this album for some reason

Jaws of Death - has held up well over time - killer tracks: Final Embrace, Play To Kill

Nuclear Fire - their most popular and well deserved - killer tracks:  Fight The Fire, Iron Fist In A Velvet Glove, Nuclear Fire

Black Sun - a good album, but clearly an attempt to re-create Nuclear Fire - killer tracks: Armageddon, Fear

Devil's Ground - the first and slight departure from the formula, but a stellar album - killer tracks: Suicide & Mania, Visions of Fate, The Healer (I know, everyone loves Metal Is Forever, and it's okay, but it's nowhere near my favorites)

Seven Seals - the next progression away from the classic sound; this album didn't grab me much, it is one of my least favorites - killer tracks: Carniwar

New Religion - the single biggest departure from PF's classic sound, but I freakin' love this record! I'm really bummed they quickly went away from this sound - killer tracks: all of 'em! but seriously, favorites are Sign of Fear, Fighting the Darkness (trilogy), The Man That I Don't Know

16.6 - a return to the classic sound with a cleaner rhythm guitar sound, a great record - killer tracks: Six Times Dead, Killbound, The Exorcist

Unbreakable - uh oh...the curse of sameness...a good album, but sounds way too much like they mailed it in - killer tracks: Strike, Metal Nation, Blaze of Glory

Delivering the Black - the first time PF's lyrics became a problem for me - good music, but turned off by some darker lyrics - killer tracks:  King For A Day, When Death Comes Knocking

Rulebreaker - headed back in the right direction, enjoy this one a lot - killer tracks: Angels of Mercy, The End Is Near, We Walk In Darkness

Favorite overall album:  New Religion - there are tracks on other albums that I like more than this album, but evaluating complete albums, nothing in their catalog touches this masterpiece! The ballad at the end is the most powerful Scheepers vocal I've ever heard.

Awesome breakdown of Primal's discography. Being I'm not all that familiar with this band, you've given me some solid direction into how to attack their albums. But...if you were to suggest to someone a good starting point, what album would you tend to go with? Thanks.

I would probably start with Nuclear Fire. It's one of their most popular records. If you like that one, you're likely to like most of the rest. If you don't like that one, you probably won't be a big fan of the band.

Nuclear Fire is my favorite also but Seven Seals really grew on me and is now my second favorite by them then 16 6. I agree with Delivering the Black, that was a little disappointing.

I only know Nuclear Fire. That opening track is really tasty, the rest isn't too shabby either. But I'm not interested in checking out more albums.

Delivering the Black was my introduction to Primal Fear. It left me with a "take 'em or leave 'em" attitude about the band. It sounds like I chose a bad starting point.

Musically it's not bad just a couple lyrics that are dark. I'd check out some earlier stuff though.

Great band, no doubt.  I like Black Sun a lot, although a lot of people bag on it.


Arttie

It's not quite as quality as Nuclear Fire and since it followed directly I think it suffers. Still a good album though.

I recently discovered this band....been cranking the new material, especially ''The End is Near'' Killer song and video! https://youtu.be/MLRjJQCqCeo

I picked up Rulebreaker a while back.  Its absolutely killer.  Bands like them have become a new first choice for me over the last few years.  As I get older I tend to like it a lot better.