PRIMAL FEAR

Although Primal Fear has undergone several lineup changes, the band’s pillars—Ralf Scheepers (vocals, ex-Gamma Ray and Tyran Pace) and Mat Sinner (bass, Sinner)—have remained. Formed in mid-1997, the German band is currently completed by guitarist Magnus Karlsson, Italian-Cuban guitarist Thalìa Bellazecca (Angus McSix, ex-Frozen Crown), and drummer André Hilgers (Axxis, Rage, Silent Force, Sinner, Bonfire), promoting the album Domination. The follow-up to Code Red (2023) was produced by Mat Sinner, co-produced by Karlsson and Scheepers, with mixing and mastering by Jacob Hansen. “This new album is more than music; it’s a piece of us. It was an electrifying process,” Scheepers said.

The band debuted with Primal Fear (1998), followed by Jaws of Death (1999), which helped maintain their name in Brazil, where they first performed at the End Of Century Metal Fest (São Paulo). After Nuclear Fire (2001) came Black Sun (2002), marking Primal Fear’s second visit to Brazil in December 2002, which was even featured in the DVD The History Of Fear—its cover photo, taken at the Via Funchal show in São Paulo, shows the musicians wearing Brazilian football team shirts. Brazil became a regular stop on their tour schedule, with several returns, including the Devil's Ground tour in 2004 and in 2006 while promoting Seven Seals (2005) at the Live 'N' Louder Rock Fest.

Drawing from traditional heavy metal, with touches of power metal, thrash, and hard rock, the band has adapted to new sounds and never remained stagnant on albums such as New Religion (2007), 16.6 - Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2009), Unbreakable (2012), Delivering the Black (2014), Rulebreaker (2016), Apocalypse (2018), and Metal Commando (2020). “We have different influences, different ideas, but when we’re together, we try to diversify as much as possible and use them in the best way. The only thing we have in common is that we really love good melodies in a song,” the vocalist once commented.

The Bangers Open Air 2026 show will surely remain memorable for both the founding members and those who debuted in the studio on Domination. “I’m always excited to return to Brazil, one of the countries where we began our career. Over all these years, it’s always been great to come back, whether for a festival or our own tour,” said Mat Sinner. “There’s an incredible connection between us as soon as we hit the stage. Our new lineup will leave no doubts—it’s going to blow away any expectations. We’re ready... Are you?” concluded Scheepers.