It’s been over two years since German metal titans Primal Fear have brought their titanic power metal to Australia. This time around, a bonus treat with fellow German’s Sinner along for the ride as support, an opportunity well seized given both bands share 3 band members this evening.
Melbourne based Horizons Edge opened up, with their rousing power metal a perfect opening for the night. Their cover of Holding Out For A Hero a definite highlight for me, whilst the title track from their latest release Let The Show Go On drawing me in to wanting to check out these gals and guys new album post show, which incidentally features a guest appearance from Primal Fear’s Ralf Scheepers no less.
With the initially sparse crowd steadily building, the Matt Sinner led Sinner waltzed onto the stage to the tune of Monty Python’s Always Look On The Brightside Of Life a perfect foil for set opener Come Out Fighting, which took us right back to the bands early days, way back in the 80’s Working double duty tonight, Matt Sinner on bass and lead vocals led us through a set of old and new the initially timid crowd steadily primed for headliners Fear.
With a new album in Tequila Suicide just out earlier this year, that title track featured early and bringing out Giorgia Colleluori from behind their stage bar allowed her to display her rock vocal power on the cracking Danger Zone. Guitar heoics were many during the set led by the dual attack of Tom Naumann (Primal Fear) and Alex Scholpp (Tarja Turunen / Farmer Boys). Their cover of Billy Idol’s Rebel Yell amped up the energy and bringing back Giorgia to share vocals on Germany Rocks had me wishing indeed I was in Germany seeing these guys at an outdoor festival where their set would go down an absolute treat.
Primal Fear, well what more can be said about their performance, than did we just witness the metal performance of the year? A true master class featuring the “voice of metal” Ralf Scheepers and the exceptionally talented Alex Beyrodt on guitars, the man introduced as “being born with a guitar in his hands”. Not to be outdone, Tom Naumann, Matt Sinner and drummer Francesco Jovino clocking up double time returning to the stage to help deliver their Apocalypse In Australia.
Touring on the back of latest album Apocalypse as well as it being 20 years since their debut album, the set covered all eras but weighted in favour of the new album. Whilst the bands newer material has seen their songwriting and style add some more modern and atmospheric flourishes, songs like the crushing Hounds Of Justice blend in a live setting well with classic Fear such as Final Embrace and Chainbreaker. I reference the voice of metal earlier, and this set gave Scheepers the opportunity to display his immense vocal talents from the Halford’esque Priest high notes, through to the baritone lower range. A commanding performance all round by “Little” Ralfy as he referred to himself, with his imposing stage presence and crowd interaction just adding more to that voice.
Alex Beyrodt on guitar would be no stranger to anyone with a keen ear tuned into their European metal and watching his effortless shredding all night providing me just as much of a highlight, with his intro to the moody Eye Of The Storm giving one of many solo spots to shine. No metal gig would be complete without a heavy metal choir and really what better song for the crowd to get involved than The End Is Near which dialled the energy into the comfortably packed room up to 11.
Metal Is Forever and In Metal We Trust rounded out the 90 minute set and how true do those song titles ring true and what a fitting way to end. Dedications to their faithful by a band who proudly keep the spirit of metal alive and who are destined to keep that flag flying for 20 more years to come, as those who influenced them now enter the twilight of their careers.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by SAS75 Photography
Primal Fear
Sinner
Horizon’s Edge
