Primal Fear

1996’s Primal Fear stars Edward Norton as Aaron Stampler, a seemingly innocent altar boy accused of murder. At the end of the movie, viewers discover Stampler is actually a clever con man — or is he? Similarly, metal fans might listen to Primal Fear’s blend of Dungeons and Dragons lyrics and screaming-for-vengeance riffs and wonder whether this German group really takes itself seriously. The answer is a headbanging nod of affirmation. Black Sun is awash in octave-shattering banshee wails, squealing twin-guitar solos and double-pedal kick drums that pound away as if grunge were just a bad dream. Metal eagles flying side-by-side, singer Ralf Scheepers cries straightfaced on the title track. Other topics include the duress of being soldiers in a holy war, the misery of living light years from home and the Dioesque power of the magic eye. Tell Tenacious D’s Jack Black to stick with his day job.