16.6 (Before the Devil Knows You're Dead)

16.6 (Before the Devil Knows You're Dead) is a fulfilling work on which Primal Fear unites speed metal’s drive and traditional heavy metal’s sure weight at an extremely high level. Turning from the grand concept direction of the previous New Religion, it returns to more straight, powerful metal. Sharp guitar and powerful vocals never loosen the tension anywhere in the songs. A record where the band’s sure ability shines. From the development from the opening intro to “Riding the Eagle” and the catchy “Six Times Dead (16.6)” to the drama of “Black Rain,” every song is engaging, while cuts like “Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead” and “Under the Radar” convey the work’s fullness. Ralf Scheepers’s overwhelming highs are powerfully in sharp form throughout. A record on which not only speeding fast songs but mid-tempo songs with rich drama give the work a sure depth. The band’s strength, holding both the heat of charging straight and precise construction, is well shown. An engaging, fulfilling work of Primal Fear that pursued more origin-near, powerful traditional metal — a record where the band’s steadiness shines.