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by Andy Laudano |
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In the beginning, success always seemed just out of reach for Scheepers. “It always came back to this money thing,” Ralf relates. “In Tyran Pace, our so-called managers sucked the blood (money) out of us. Kai Hansen asked me to join Helloween, but I didn’t want to move all the way to Hamburg. When Kai left Helloween, we teamed up in Gamma Ray and that was pretty successful, but then the guys wanted me to move to Hamburg again. I’m a South German guy, and my family, friends and my job are all here. After hearing Rob Halford had left Judas Priest, I sent them an application. A few months later a letter came in saying they liked my voice and I was on the short list for their new vocalist. I waited two and a half years but never got a live audition. In the end they chose Tim “Ripper” Owens.” Sometimes, when one door closes, another opens up. “I had a Judas Priest cover band to help prepare myself for the Priest job,” Scheepers recalls. “We had one last show and two of the guys couldn’t do it. So I asked Mat (bass/vocals) and Tom Naumann (guitar) both from Sinner to sit in. We became friends, stayed in touch and composed four songs together. We sent them to Japan, and they immediately gave us a contract. Same here in Germany. In the end, the record companies were fighting to get us. That’s when Primal Fear was born.” Everything worked out in the end. “It’s perfect the way it is now,” Scheepers states. “It’s good to have Primal Fear. Judas Priest with Rob back again, Ripper with his band, Kai with Gamma Ray. We’re all good friends. We have a good vibe when we’re together. Kai’s helping me with some solo material, and I might sing some chorus stuff for Gamma Ray or whatever they need. I met the guys from Priest, and they really appreciate my work. They’re good friends, good “mates.” I’ve met Ripper several times and he’s a very, very nice guy.” So far, Primal Fear has released eight fantastic albums. While some originally dismissed them as a Judas Priest clone, Primal Fear has proven to be much more than that. With each album they’ve added new elements to their sound without losing track of their identity. Their latest, 16.6, is the band’s most diverse effort yet, but it still sounds like Primal Fear. The album’s title is meant to be a riddle. “It’s not so hard if you think about it,” Scheepers explains. “It’s not a birthday, release date or Bible verse. It’s very, very simple and you’re going to laugh about it when you figure it out. Just a hint — when you count the alphabet it’s easy. 16.6 all over the world.” 16.6 also marks the debut of newest member, talented guitarist/songwriter Magnus Karlsson (Starbreaker, Russell Allen/Jorn Lande). “He was already a fan of Primal Fear,” Scheepers notes. “Magnus, Henny (Wolter – guitar) and Mat composed 80% of the album last September. I couldn’t come because I was so busy with my job, but they saved room for my ideas. Magnus did an outstanding job playing on the album and in the shows we’ve played with him so far. He’s a nice guy, and everything fit so perfect.” Unfortunately for Karlsson’s U.S. fans, he won’t be able to make the band’s upcoming American tour. “Magnus’ wife is pregnant; they’re having twins. Alex Beyrodt (Silent Force, Voodoo Circle), who played with us before, will be filling in. He’s also a nice guy and a great guitarist.” But there is some good news for U.S. fans. “We’re going to concentrate more on the American market in the future,” Scheepers reveals. “My job is ending soon, and I’m going to only be a musician. I’m really looking forward to that.” So are we! |
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