Starting in 2002 and recording 4 demos over the subsequent 4 years, Sweden's EVIL CONSPIRACY would end up losing a couple of vocalists before Fredrik Eriksson took over in 2009. The quintet then supported WOLF and slowly but surely set about recording their debut full-length album. "Prime Evil" is the end result, a 10 track + intro recording that is a fine addition for those who love Traditional Metal in a British meets German platform.

Fredrik has a rough and tumble delivery, very much in line with the long lost SQUEALER singer Andy Allendörfer - especially evident in the gang oriented harmonies for "Fallen from the Sky" where the guitars and keyboards mesh into a semi-symphonic state over the epic, marching arrangement. A lot of the drum tempos and riff choices align in the ACCEPT, JUDAS PRIEST, and possibly MEMORY GARDEN for the power/doom aspect.

Andreas and Patrik pick potent chord choices and riff combinations that are 100% metal to the bone - check out their mandatory, fist pumping work for "Rule the Ruins" or the thrashy meets stair step jackhammer "7-2". A minor qualm for full enjoyment of certain songs such as "The Beast of Flesh and Blood" or the MERCYFUL FATE - like title cut is the open snare sound of drummer Veikko Heikkinen - I won't say it reaches "St. Anger" / METALLICA levels, but it is a touch on the tin can side of things, when I would have preferred something a little more solid and stable.

The keyboard use has a darker texture and isn't necessarily overextended - the 7 minute plus epic "Father of Lies" one of the best EVIL CONSPIRACY songs as this SAVATAGE meets DIO oriented epic tempo and multi-part chorus contains a lot of deep seeded emotional layers. Given the fact that you have a lifetime to create your debut album, "Prime Evil" represents a solid effort and I'm curious to see what the future holds for these Swedes.