Primal Fear - Nuclear Fire a modern day classic

What do you think, does this album stand out as a 21st century metal classic?

IMO it does and I didn't always hold this opinion about Nuclear Fire (or Primal Fear for that matter).

However, lately I am finding myself returning to this album more frequently and finding that it has a unique (albeit not stylistically) quality about it. Some may see it as a Painkiller-era rip off, in fact Primal Fear has often times been considered nothing more but a tribute to Judas Priest and whilst there is some truth behind that what I find is that Primal Fear became to torch bearers of Judas Priest during their long hiatus and for most part of the Ripper years.

The unique quality I find is that they are able to create / recreate the Painkiller sound, pushing it to new heights incorporating faster and heavier riffing, and more anthemic songs.

By contrast to earlier Primal Fear albums, this is also a more polished album. The production is amped up and the songwriting is overall tighter than on earlier releases.

So what do you guys think?

I preferred JAWS OF DEATH actually, but N.F. isn't a bad disc. The only song I don't like is that dumb-ass closing anthem "Living for Metal," which is bar none the dumbest song Primal Fear has ever recorded. The lyrics are absolutely cringe-worthy.

I like early Primal Fear. I'd rate Nuclear Fire third behind Black Sun and Devi's Ground as my favorites.

I think that album was my introduction to the band, so Nuclear Fire will always have some sentimental value to me. Don't know if I'd label it a bonafide modern day classic, but that's just me.

I haven't heard anything from this band that I'd consider classic other than the song "Chainbreaker".

I like 'em all. Nuclear Fire is great!

kmorg wrote:

I like 'em all. Nuclear Fire is great!

I am with Kurt on this one. I really enjoy primal fear a lot.

I like a handful of songs from it, but I prefer Black Sun (probably because it was the first one I heard).

snooloui wrote:

I like a handful of songs from it, but I prefer Black Sun (probably because it was the first one I heard).

I think that's why I hold Devil's Ground in such high regard; first album I ever heard from PF.

I'd say Nuclear Fire is a modern day classic! I like the first 5 albums a lot. After that they sorta lost me until 16:6.

I enjoyed Seven Seals a lot.