Review by Pedro Felippe

Having mostly played festivals or London shows in the UK, this was only Primal Fear’s third ever gig outside those areas since Nottingham and Sheffield back in 2006. Considering these guys have been around since 1997, it’s pretty harsh that they’ve rarely been given the chance to play in more UK cities, especially when you think about the amount of talent they have. Still, it clearly didn’t bother them too much as they absolutely crushed their set on a stormy night in Wolverhampton.

Ronnie Romero was the only support act of the evening and despite having just under an hour to warm the crowd up, he didn’t waste a second. The time pressure didn’t seem to faze him at all, even though he admitted he’s not used to being the support act. That’s hardly surprising given that he’s the latest lead singer of the legendary Rainbow. Dio may have left them back in 1975, but Ronnie has carried a lot of that influence into his solo career. That rough, melodic, and occasionally fragile vocal texture shines through whenever he shifts between different timbres. There’s even a little hint of Johnny Gioeli from Axel Rudi Pell in there, just to show off how versatile he really is.

He’s managed to hold onto the essence of classic metal without messing with its roots. The passion he pours into his voice really captures what old-school metal has been about since day one. Keeping that classic sound alive without simply recycling the past is something a lot of artists struggle with, but Ronnie manages to bring his influences across in a way that still feels fresh. Musically speaking, he might be fairly calm on stage and not the type to run around constantly, but his voice did all the talking and quickly won people over.

José Rubio and Andrea Arcangeli, much like Ronnie, also tapped into that vintage heavy metal spirit with plenty of long and complex solos packed with shredding that metalheads love. While riffs obviously matter and often define how enjoyable a song is, solos are the piece that completes the puzzle. When they’re done right, it’s like having a perfect dessert after a satisfying meal. Chris Allan on drums did his part too, getting fans moving and helping them shake off some of the rain they’d been drenched in outside. His solid grooves had that classic feel that anyone who grew up with 80s metal would instantly appreciate.

Primal Fear were up next to close the night and, despite at least two-thirds of the venue looking like drowned rats from the weather, everyone was there for the music. If metal was born in the Midlands, then there’s hardly a better place than KK’s Steel Mill — owned by the great former Judas Priest guitarist KK Downing — to see a mid-sized show from one of the most badass power/speed metal bands around. With the Domination tour now stretching into its second year, Primal Fear have lived up to the name of their latest album. Over the years they’ve shown exactly why they’re a force to be reckoned with.

The band’s logo and record covers have always featured an eagle, and singer Ralf Scheepers brings that image to life on stage. Starting with his falsetto range, every time he hits one of those high notes you can almost feel it scratching your ears like the screech of an eagle calling out across open woodland. Then there’s his muscular appearance, which gives off that same sense of being at the top of the food chain — untouchable and confident that nothing’s coming after you. It also fits perfectly with Primal Fear’s lyrics about rising above adversity. 

Dressed in what looked like an Assassin’s Creed-style black hoodie or robe, with biceps that look like they could curl the heaviest dumbbells in any gym, he’s not someone you’d want to be on the receiving end of an uppercut from. Put all that together and it’s easy to see why he has such a commanding presence. While some frontmen sprint around the stage doing jumps and kicks to hype the crowd, Ralf barely needs to do that. He can simply walk around, raise his fists, and the audience is locked onto him. Like Ronnie earlier in the night, his voice and presence speak louder than flashy movements ever could.

Another standout moment of the night came from guitarist Thalia Bellazecca. She may only be 25, but her playing is already miles ahead of many musicians at that stage in their careers. From Frozen Crown to Angus McSix and now Primal Fear, you must wonder if there’s anything she can’t do when it comes to catching the attention of big bands. Getting the call from a veteran group like this is a rare opportunity, and she’s made the absolute most of it. She stepped up with some outrageous solos full of tapping, sweep picking, and lightning-fast shredding that easily earned huge applause from the crowd. Magnus Karlsson was also incredible, showing off his own technical skills and delivering the kind of dual harmonies that have been a Primal Fear trademark for years.

André Hilgers, who joined in 2024, has settled into the band nicely. It almost feels like whenever Primal Fear bring in a new drummer; they just get it right. His playing fits the band perfectly, as if he’s been there from the start. Everything sounded tight and natural. He can clearly handle both studio work and live performances with ease. Every double kick came through cleanly, the fills were sharp, and he looked like he was genuinely enjoying himself behind the kit. Drummers might sit at the back and not always get the spotlight, but when they’re locked in, the whole band — and the crowd — feels it.

Primal Fear showed exactly why they deserve bigger UK tours as a performance like this shouldn’t go unnoticed, and it’s a shame they haven’t been given more opportunities to bring their shows to different cities. Hopefully this gig might be a step in that direction, because the German powerhouses have made it clear that their quest for ‘Domination’ is far from over — and we’d better watch out before we become fresh meat.