Rik Priem's Prime
s/t

A play on words, Prime, Priem, very imaginative. A belgian fellow with the assistance of experienced guys within the rock and metal field. A lizard does the vocals, he has been heard in a few bands and now this one. Cover art looks unimaginative, two dragons on some blue, boring logotype, just one of these covers that wouldn’t interest the record browser. Then again, no one browses a store for records these days of music files and all that shit. Prime is the debut album of this constellation but Rik Priem has done stuff before so this isn’t his first offering to the metal/rock fans.

It is an album that offers nothing in terms of imaginative music making, ground breaking ideas or clever new angles of doing something we’ve heard before. Kind of like a heavier, sort of metallic way of making AOR. Catchy choruses, clear guitar lines and a very melodic disposition, this is a popular way of making music, something that originates way back in time. This was done in the eighties and the only thing different about this is that the production is somewhat better. Good production. Not as good a variation over the thirteen tracks on the album, playing time is close to the hour mark. Well, it is not the groundbreaking album, well produced and performed though.

Some strange reviewer was lying about this album saying it was a masterpiece. I guess that if you consider the majority of the albums released Masterpieces, then maybe you will find it one. I don’t think it is even close to that superlative, I think it is a good album just not that good. The tracks are alright but the album tends to be a bit too long and too monotone in the long run. Certainly not one you put in repeat moder. Nah, this disk is best played once and even better if you skip some of the tracks along the way. Maybe not a yawn of an album but neither is it one that wakes you up. It is okay, plain and simple.

Blindfolded and Flirting With an Alien are the best tracks on the album. Sure none of them are breaking new ground or are amongst the best stuff I have ever heard but they are a good listen amongst a racket of decent but quite dull tracks. Prime is a decent album, probably more worth the time for an AOR fan than a fan of any other music. I remain unconvinced, but of course some people seem to think it is brilliant, then again if an album which quality are equalled once a week is brilliant, your musical year will be amazing. Can be worth checking out but don’t expect a miracle.

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