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The first time I heard Primal Fear's Delivering the Black I thought it was just another Helloween-style Power Metal album. The more I listened, the more I came to realize it is the type of album Helloween SHOULD be making. Crunchy, Germanic Power Metal is not a genre overrun with innovation so the high-pitched vocals, catchy choruses, stellar guitar work and double-kick drums aren't going to take anyone by surprise. The quality of the songwriting and enthusiasm of the performances are what take Delivering the Black a notch or two above the pack.

The album is loaded with foot-stomping anthems, ultra-fast scorchers and even a decent ballad with backing vocals by Liv Kristine. Standout tracks include the 9-minute epic "One Night in December," a song that allows all-world singer Ralf Scheepers to put his impressive vocal cords through their paces (as for the rest of the album he's everywhere from Deris-like growls to Kiske-esque screams). "Inseminoid," the album closer, is the type of speedy showstopper that should be a Primal Fear live set finale for many years to come. Leave the fans with something to remember you by? Indeed.

Fans of Helloween, Gamma Ray, Iron Fire and all the other crunchy, Euro Power Metal bands will not want to miss this latest Primal Fear offering. Delivering the Black may be an album you've heard before but it's also an album you're going to want to hear again. And again.