Many metal fans are aware of the talented Primal Fear, but for those who are not this potent and experienced German metal band are certainly one to check out. 16.6 (Before The Devil Knows You're Dead) is their latest impressive CD, and Sea Of Tranquility's Scott Jessup recently had the chance to speak to founding member, bassist, and backing vocalist Mat Sinner about this new release along with other topics relating to this power metal juggernaut known as Primal Fear.

SoT: Hi and thanks for giving your fans another fine metal CD with 16.6 (Before The Devil Knows You're Dead).

Mat: Thank you for joining us and giving us the opportunity to find some new fans!

SoT: Can you tell us about the title and the concept behind this album?

Mat: Our target was to create an album like a bridge between our earlier days and the future of Primal Fear. We wanted the most challenging, interesting and varying album of our career. More guitars, less orchestration and in the end we are very happy about the result!

SoT: The album has a nice balance and variation between the tracks. You must be happy with how it turned out?

Mat: Yes, we had a lot of great new influences from our last tour together and a lot of ideas. Primal Fear is always on the search for new elements to keep our music fresh and exciting for the musicians too. The limited edition of the album has a playtime of over 70 minutes plus a video clip. This is just an example about the creative output at the moment.

SoT: Which are your favorite songs on the new album?

Mat: I love them all in a different way. It would be stupid to name two song titles now because tomorrow I would regret it. Every song tells a different story and is something very special to me!

SoT: Are your touring plans extensive now that the album's out, or has the current economic climate made you scale back at all?

Mat: No not at all, we're not joining the club of squealers. We don't moan about the situation. We're on the road to give our fans the possibility to have a good time and forget all their trouble for some hours and give them some positive power for their next days – vice versa!

SoT: There is a lot of experience between the members of Primal Fear; this must make recording and getting the desired results much easier than in those earlier years?

Mat: All the musicians in Primal Fear have a great reputation and are highly ranked in the world of metal. It makes a lot of fun to write, record and playing on a stage together with these guys. This band is something very special. If you see the concert, you will realize this. The more talent the musicians have, the easier they are good quality compromises and enjoying their situation. We had much more difficult days in our history than today!

SoT: How do you think current Primal Fear CDs compare to those first releases?

Mat: 10 years of constantly touring and recording. We have a different kind of view now and we learned a lot about every inch in the business, producing and what an exciting metal show needs.

SoT: I assume Primal Fear's popularity has continued to grow over the years- what countries would you like to get more exposure in?

Mat: North America and Australia – that's it – everything else is cool and we're very happy about our situation. But we will take a lot of more focus now in North America as we ever did and I'm sure that we're a very interesting band for the metal fans in the US and Canada to watch and to listen!

SoT: How would you describe your music to those of our readers who might not have experienced it yet?

Mat: Metal in every color – basicly power metal with a lot of cool vocal & guitar melodies!

SoT: What Primal Fear album is your favorite, and which would you recommend to someone who wants to hear the band for the first time?

Mat: My three personal favorites are 16.6 – Seven Seals & Nuclear Fire

SoT: What do you think sets Primal Fear apart from other similar metal bands?

Mat: High quality players and songs with dedication in every second of any album or show. Ambitioned guys, who love their job and position. Where's Primal Fear on the outside, there's Primal Fear on the inside!

SoT: Who are some of your influences?

Mat: Nowadays not a lot, we try to create our very own style of metal and rock music, even if it sounds from time to time like some other bands, but who cares – there are only good or bad songs or shows!

SoT: Any more live releases planned for the future?

Mat: Yes, we have cameras with us on the entire world tour and we will record some shows for a forthcoming live CD or DVD.

SoT Thanks for your time, all the best with 16.6 (Before The Devil Knows You're Dead)!

Scott Jessup