Primal Fear-Jaws of death

Metal Mind
1999/2011 Re-issue



In 1997 former Tyran Pace / Gamma Ray vocalist Rolf Scheepers and Sinner bassist Mat Sinner decided to form Primal Fear. Primal Fear's 1998 debut frequently became labeled as Judas Priest clone of the Painkiller variety. I have no problem with that, in fact it was welcome considering the real Priest were going in a different direction with the not so impressive Jugulator. Originally released in July of 1999 the follow-up Jaws of death certainly saw the band pushing the boundaries more and taking some chances. The metal is law type sound was style there as was Scheeper's Rob Halford style vocals, but there are certainly more tempo changes and a bit more of focus on the melodies. Tracks like "Final Embrace", "Play to kill" and the burner "Into the future" hear Primal Fear plowing forward like a monster. Not content to just trample your senses they mix it up some with tracks like "Nation in fear" and "Say a prayer" which show a more layered songwriting style that includes some needed pace changes within the songs. Closer "Hatred in my soul" is likely my favorite on this album and a great way to end it because this is a hit you in the gut kind of cut with lots of force and fire behind it. This re-issue includes bonus tracks "Kill the king" and "Horrorscope" plus a lyric booklet and band biography. Overall a great package and an album that sounds as good now as it did twelve years ago.