Primal Fear vocalist Ralf Scheepers has checked in with the following update:

"My last participation in a project / song before I'm finally relaxing my voice for touring will be a charity project to raise funds to fight against cancer, whether for the Norwegian Cancer Union or for the Ronnie James Dio cancer fund. Not only because I am personally affected by someone very close who is fighting this terrible disease, but also because it's a common ailment worldwide. There can't be enough support to help finding treatments or medicines to fight this devil! I'm not the one who believes in some kind of conspiracy that all this might be self-made by the pharma industry, profit motivated, to sell more medicine. So stay tuned for more about the project song..."

The worldwide release of the new Primal Fear studio album, Rulebreaker, is set for January 29th, 2016. The album’s title track can be heard below:

In celebration of the new album, there will be a number of listening parties happening on or around release date. The following parties are confirmed:

January
22 - Rockfabrik – Ludwigsburg, Germany (band members will be in attendance)
22 - Halford Berlin - Berlin, Germany
22 - Valhalla Metal Club Köln - Köln, Germany
22 - Vereinsheim BS Süd - Braunschweig, Germany
22 - Schlüsselloch Rockkneipe Herbert Senden - Aachen, Germany
22 - Tresor Bonn - Bonn, Germany
22 - Rock Stüberl - Burlengenfeld, Germany
22 - Underground - Wuppertal, Germany
23 - Club Biergarten Dieburg – Dieburg, Germany
23 - Eisbär - Esslingen, Germany (band members will be in attendance)
30 - Rocks – Nersingen, Germany
30 - Joker – Dortmund, Germany

February
4 - BlackEnd - die Metalkneipe in Dortmund – Dortmund, Germany

Available in CD, deluxe CD/DVD and - in collaboration with Soulfood Music in Germany - Rulebreaker is also available on vinyl and a special super-limited vinyl edition version featuring an eagle head on the vinyl. Rulebreaker combines the strongest Primal Fear moments ever, with a well-balanced typical Primal Fear trademark riff-vibe, crushing songs and some very ambitious musical journeys.  

Ralf Scheepers says: "We have so much energy, fantastic melodies and a hell of a drum groove on each and every song, there is no doubt that the fans will love it as much as I do! And again we have achieved to combine bombastic and atmospheric orchestral sounds with soaring heavy metal riffs and licks, together with ear splitting screams and also emotional sequences. We have kept the promise of being a heavy metal band with all the trademarks for which people love Primal Fear.”

After the massive Delivering The Black world tour, Primal Fear started the songwriting in spring 2015 and recorded at Hansen Studios in Denmark, with producer Mat Sinner and engineer Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Pretty Maids, Amaranthe). Mat Sinner adds: "We learned a lot during the Delivering The Black sessions and the following world tour. We tried to put this know-how and all the positive energy into the songs and production of Rulebreaker. Working the second time with Jacob Hansen and even recording in his studio, gave another dimension to our sound, plus the recording comeback of founding member Tom Naumann was the right move.”

Classic and ultra-fresh Primal Fear have created riff-rockers like the album opener "Angels Of Mercy," and groove monsters "The End Is Near" and "Bullets And Tears" which hit the bulls-eye from the beginning. The album features another untamed speed killer "In Metal We Trust" and the metal anthem and title track "Rulebreaker". The melodic and unique ballad "The Sky Is Burning" shows a different side of Primal Fear with a new vibe and a monster chorus. And of course, Primal Fear included again an 11-minute plus prog metal tour de force entitled "We Walk Without Fear", spiced with big orchestral arrangements and complex sound designs.

Tracklisting:

“Angels Of Mercy”
“The End Is Near”
“Bullets & Tears”
“Rulebreaker”
“In Metal We Trust”
“We Walk Without Fear”
“At War With The World”
“The Devil In Me; Constant Heart”
“The Sky Is Burning”
“Raving Mad; Final Call” (Bonus Track - deluxe edition only)
“Don't Say You've Never Been Warned” (Bonus Track- deluxe edition only)

DVD (Deluxe Edition Only):
“The End Is Near” (Video Clip)
“Angels Of Mercy” (Video Clip)
Making Of Rulebreaker

“Bullets & Tears”:

“In Metal We Trust”:

"The End Is Near” video:

Trailer:

Lineup:

Ralf Scheepers - Vocals
Alex Beyrodt - Guitars
Magnus Karlsson - Guitars & Keyboards
Tom Naumann - Guitar
Francesco Jovino - Drums
Mat Sinner - Bass & Vocals

Photo by Florian Stangl