Primal Rock Rebellion is the latest project by guitarist Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden and vocalist Mikee Goodman of SikTh their debut album is entitled Awoken Broken. Before you ask, this band is nothing like Iron Maiden or like anything that Adrian has doen before. Primal Rock Rebellion is a contemporary metal band, not nu-metal just good hook heavy metal.

I’m not familiar with Mikee Goodman or any of his previous work so I was very pleasantly surprised by his great vocal range– he hits some high notes. Goodman has the ability to stop on a dime and shift gears to a gritty, ferocious vocal all within the same song! There are several examples of this is throughout Awoken Broken. Primal Rock Rebellion culls influences from gothic rock, traditional metal, and groove metal and somehow it all works brilliantly without sounding forced and contrived. Adrian Smith takes full advantage this deserved opportunity to take complete control of all the guitar duties and he shines throughout. Smith doesn’t overindulge with his new found freedom–he simply plays just what the song requires and he doesn’t take part in any ‘guitar wankery.’

The standouts on the Awoken Broken are; “No Friendly Neighbour,” the surging rocker that opens the album, “Bright As Fire,” this showcases the vocal diversity of Goodman vividly, “No Place Like Home,” features the most catchy chorus of all the songs on the album, “I See Lights,” enters White Zombie territory and “Savage World,” is a power metal song by way of Mudvayne.

I don’t know how Adrian Smith and Mikee Goodman crossed paths but the chemistry is there and this makes them a tandem to be reckoned with. Who knows if Primal Rock Rebellion will get a chance to tour behind Awoken Broken but if they don’t– let’s hope they at least get a chance to make a handful of live appearances; if they don’t it would be a travesty.

Primal Rock Rebellion
Awoken Broken
Spinefarm 2012