Review PRIMAL FEAR ‘Code Red’

Primal Fear belongs to Germanys metal greats and their global success speaks volumes. With ‘Metal Commando’ the band launched the latest record in 2020 and with ‘Code Red’ the successor waits in line to be released.

To create the album wasn’t an easy undertaking and one reason was the serious illness of mainman Mat Sinner. Sinner struggled with severe vaccination complications which he describes in an interview with radio station Rock Antenne (only in German) and fortunately found his way back to life. ‘Code Red’ is a step back into normality. Being part of the creative process and being in the studio with the guys helped the healing process.

Primal Fear never released a weak album. The German metal force always launched music, that combines heaviness with a great sense for melodies. Real anthems have been the result and ‘Code Red’ is full of those too.

Recording started in January 2023 and what ended up on the album is a first-class metal that comes straight from the heart. It feels like the album was done with a “now more than ever” mindset, at least this what the full force sound of ‘Code Red’ indicates.

The start couldn’t be much better than what the band delivers with ‘Another Hero’. Sheer metal power blasts out of the speakers and with Scheepers scream in the beginning, comparisons to Priest will not become less. However, Primal Fear had and has always their own trademarks and one of them are the great melodies, manifested in the chorus of ‘Another Hero’.

‘Bring That Noise’ is next and one of the anthems of the album. A thundering riff and a thrilling chorus captivate the listener right away. Talking about great songs and chorus; ‘Cancel Culture’ is another glorious moment of the album. The dramatic beginning suggests great things and the band delivers. The racing metal song is one of the best I heard from Primal Fear and reminds of the earlier days. Primal Fear release all brakes and it is the hypnotic chorus that crawls into you mind. Lyrically the song is special too as it is about the freedom of free speech and countries where you ‘disappear’ when sharing thoughts and opinions.

‘Play a Song’ is more of a standard Primal Fear anthem while ‘The World is on Fire’ reflects another caliber of songs. It’s the first put of two epic songs. ‘The World is on Fire’ is a dark song that connects with “…code red for freedom…” also to the message from ‘Cancel Culture’. The state of the world isn’t in best shape and things continue to go the wrong direction.

The other epic song is called ‘Their Gods Have Failed’. An acoustic intro starts the song. The tune is a dramatic one, being dark and melancholic. The calmer verse stands out, bringing Scheepers voice to full shine and the majestic chorus is a wow-moment of the album.

‘Steelmelter’ comes with iron pumper power and the same goes for ‘Raged By Pain’ that explains why Scheepers is partly compared with Rob Halford.

The last wo tracks on the album can’t really compete with what we have heard already. ‘Forever’ is a typical lighter-/flashlight-swinging ballad while ‘Fearless’, with its rocking roots, is more of a standard song. Not bad, but also no highlight.

‘Code Red’ is phenomenal metal longplayer that reflects exactly what everyone was hoping for. Excellently crafted metal anthems with power and commitment are what challenges your speakers as well as you neck muscles. It’ a massive blast, showing that stamina and willpower pay back in a positive way. This album belongs to the top 3 in Primal Fear’s discography and provides a longtime listening experience.