Ralf Scheepers – Primal Fear

As I wrote in my album review for ‘Rulebreaker’, Germany’s Primal Fear are unusually a band I only got into and started listening to fairly recent. But I was made a quick convert. Their music contains every element of power and speed metal that I love, and then some. I recently had the pleasure to speak with the band’s kind frontman and long-time vocalist and songwriter, Ralf Scheepers. We had a great chat about the band’s new album, his early days with Gamma Ray, science-fiction, and, of course, the band’s impending first ever Australian tour this June!

Kicking things into motion, I began by asking Ralf how he and the band felt about coming to tour Australia for the first time ever in just a couple months time? “Absolutely excited! I mean, the first time ever coming to Australia. Everyone is looking very much forward to it. I mean, it’s a long leg this time. We’ll go to North America for five weeks, then we’re heading to Japan for a week, and then we fly to Australia. But we’re looking very much forward to it for the first time, you know? It’s just amazing to go there.”

Primal Fear have existed as a band for just under two decades, first forming as an act in 1997. I asked Ralf what led to the decision for them to come to Australia now and not earlier? “The thing is it’s not always the band. It’s always working together with promoters, and of course, we have booking management, and it didn’t work out since now because of certain parameters I don’t even know. I’d love to go everywhere around the world but it’s just not possible and sometimes you just can’t afford it. It’s a long flight to Australia and we need to bring at least seven people, with the members of the band and technicians. And that’s not a cheap thing, you know? So in the end it has to somehow also cover the costs. You can’t go bankrupt afterwards if you come back from Australia. So it’s always a matter of bucks, of course, in the end.”

This year has too seen the release of the German metaller’s eleventh studio album, ‘Rulebreaker’. I asked Ralf if he could run us through the types of themes the new album would be exploring. “Well, as you know, it’s very different. As you know, we always write about science-fiction a little bit, we also have our personal experiences in the lyrics. And music-wise, it’s just, for me, and I hope for many people out there as well, it’s just one step more to even ‘Delivering the Black’; which is not that easy because we wrote a strong album with ‘Delivering the Black’. But as soon as I heard the very first tracks off the demo phase of ‘Rulebreaker’, I said, ‘I believe this is going to be even better!’ Theme wise, I can tell you as an English speaking person, just listen to the lyrics! [laughs] But also, and this is a really Spinal Tap answer, but listen to the lyrics and build your own story. Sometimes you just have to sit back a little bit when you listen for instance to “We Walk Without Fear”, paint or draw your own picture, and the lyrics speak for themselves. And maybe, like in a book, everybody has a different imagination of things, so it’s the same with a song and lyrics sometimes. But of course, there’s a certain message or a kernel message we have, and sometimes it’s not even making sense! [laughs] Sometimes, you know, it’s just science-fiction! I mean, when you listen to “Final Call” or whatever, sometimes it’s a message against the wars in the world – nobody wants to have that but still there are so many. We have more wars in the world right now than ever, and it’s absolutely nonsense behind it when described sometimes, you know?”

I mentioned to Ralf how oft-times lyrics aren’t really left open for interpretation when written by artists, but with Primal Fear, I like how they as a band allow their lyrics to speak for themselves in a way. “Yes, we also want to somehow give the people a little bit of thought. Never give up, never surrender. Do what you do. Even if it’s a hard time, just keep doing what you do. Because, you know, life is hard some days but if you also try to look at it on the bright side, and in a positive way, if you just try to be a little bit more positive and fight through the struggle, sometimes when the lyrics are negative, as I said, make your own theme behind it and take it for yourself. Be a warrior or whatever you do. Not in terms of war but in terms of personal life, you know?”

‘Rulebreaker’, out now via Frontiers Records

Primal Fear are often credited as being one of the pioneers of the speed metal movement in Germany. Being now 19 years down the line, and with speed and power metal so oversaturated in the market, I asked Ralf how he and the band manage to still keep things fresh and interesting? “We just do what we love to do. We’re not somehow on any trend. We never did [end up on one]. I mean, we’re doing what we love to do, and if we record tracks and songs, we have to love it in the first place. So we’re just somehow listening back and forth and know by creating and writing, or composing the song, already, that this is the right direction. And, of course, we have more tracks than are on the album. We have 15 to 20 songs for the album together, and we somehow try to find a good following. You have to have a good blend in the themes you have, not lyric-wise, also music-wise, you have to have a good automation of flow to the album.”

Seeking to diverge away from Primal Fear for a moment, as is known, Ralf Scheepers was for a time the original vocalist for fellow German power metal band, Gamma Ray; having been their singer for the band’s first three albums. I asked Ralf whether he still has fond memories of those days? “Absolutely. I don’t want to miss those days. I was in Munich when they were here on the last tour and Kai [Hansen] contacted me if I just wanted to come by and do a track and I drove four hours to Munich and I did that, because I love the guys. They’re absolutely great people and I love the music of Gamma Ray. And we also have a very good relationship still. It’s just very easy to talk about that past for me because I don’t want to miss it. It was a learning phase for me, I toured the world for the first time (not the whole world, but Europe and Japan for the first time) and it was just extraordinary and amazing for me. So I don’t want to miss those times. I love the guys!” [laughs]

As the interview drew to its end, I asked if Ralf had any final words for his fans anticipating Primal Fear’s tour here in June? “I’d just scream FUCK YES! We’re coming for the first time and we’re just so excited, you know, because hey, it’s down under, it’s Australia. I mean, who is coming to Australia? Not many people because it’s so far away, and it’s just amazing. We see many good things on the internet and also on television and so forth about a beautiful country and we’re really looking forward to rocking the place and having fun with you guys!”

Presented by Front Row Touring and Metal Obsession, German power metallers Primal Fear are touring Australia for the first time ever this June for a two-date performance in Melbourne and Sydney respectively. This will be one not to miss! Tickets and exclusive meet & greet packages are available now through the Metal Obsession store. 

Saturday 11 June – Northcote Social Club, Melbourne (18+)

Sunday 12 June – Newtown Social Club, Sydney (18+)

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