Primal Fear Family Tree

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Metal Family Tree

This is a project aimed at making it easy to see who inspired the bands you love or even hate. For this I try not to use any influences that the band don’t claim themselves. There will be a focus on predecessors but successors will be added as they cite the band. These trees become more and more interactive as new bands are added, allowing you to click any band that has a tree and jump to it.

We want our lists to be better. If you know something that belongs on this list, let us know. When in doubt we will leave it out, so we need reliable sources.

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Primal Fear bring some amazing power/speed/heavy metal from Germany. Vocalist Ralf Scheepers and bassist Mat Sinner have been the only two members to be consistent in the band. The band has changed guitar players and drummers multiple times but most members have contributed to writing over the years.

One of the early band to push rock into a harder sound, The who have been a big influence on many. Klaus named Keith Moon as one of his influences.

One of the early band to push rock into a harder sound, The who have been a big influence on many. Klaus named Keith Moon as one of his influences.

The hugely influential Deep Purple is one of Mat’s influences. He named Glen Hughes as one of his biggest influences.

The hugely influential Deep Purple is one of Mat’s influences. He named Glen Hughes as one of his biggest influences.

Allan Holdsworth

Allan Holdsworth is a jazz and progressive player who has influenced a lot of progressive bands. Magnus named him as a main influence.

Allan Holdsworth is a jazz and progressive player who has influenced a lot of progressive bands. Magnus named him as a main influence.

British glam rockers were a band that Ralf used to sing along to when he was younger before discovering Priest.

British glam rockers were a band that Ralf used to sing along to when he was younger before discovering Priest.

One of the leading bands to bring the harmonized guitar sound, Thin Lizzy has been a big influence on many. Mat names Phil Lynott as one of his musical heros. Tom also named guitarist John Sykes as an influence.

One of the leading bands to bring the harmonized guitar sound, Thin Lizzy has been a big influence on many. Mat names Phil Lynott as one of his musical heros. Tom also named guitarist John Sykes as an influence.

This one seems very obvious with much of early Primal Fear sounding like a continuation of Painkiller. Ralf said he was introduced to Judas Priest at 15 and was blown away. Tom said Priest was the reason he started playing guitar. Stefan is a big fa…

This one seems very obvious with much of early Primal Fear sounding like a continuation of Painkiller. Ralf said he was introduced to Judas Priest at 15 and was blown away. Tom said Priest was the reason he started playing guitar. Stefan is a big fan and said he practiced a lot of Priest songs. Klaus and Magnus name Priest as an influence.

 
Arena rockers Journey certainly on the popular side of rock. Tom named guitarist Neal Schon as an influence as well as Journey one of his favorite bands.

Arena rockers Journey certainly on the popular side of rock. Tom named guitarist Neal Schon as an influence as well as Journey one of his favorite bands.

 

Steve Morse

 
Steve Morse was the founder of Jazz rock band Dixie Dregs. He then played with Deep Purple. Magnus named him as one of his main influences.

Steve Morse was the founder of Jazz rock band Dixie Dregs. He then played with Deep Purple. Magnus named him as one of his main influences.

 
 
Sting who got his start in new wave band The Police was named as an influence by Mat.

Sting who got his start in new wave band The Police was named as an influence by Mat.

 
One of the earliest of the NWOBHM movement, Saxon. Ralf named them as an influence. Klaus names Saxon as an influence.

One of the earliest of the NWOBHM movement, Saxon. Ralf named them as an influence. Klaus names Saxon as an influence.

Steve Lukather

Steve Lukather is best known for being in the rock/pop band Toto. Despite that he took a harder rock approach with his solo stuff. Tom named him as an influence.

Steve Lukather is best known for being in the rock/pop band Toto. Despite that he took a harder rock approach with his solo stuff. Tom named him as an influence.

Yngwie is one of the most influential guitar players. Stefan names him as his biggest influences but says he doesn’t think he plays that much like him and Yngwie plays to many solos in his songs.

Yngwie is one of the most influential guitar players. Stefan names him as his biggest influences but says he doesn’t think he plays that much like him and Yngwie plays to many solos in his songs.

The biggest and most influential band form the NWOBHM and one of the most influential period. Ralf named them as an influence. Klaus and Magnus also name Maiden as an influence

The biggest and most influential band form the NWOBHM and one of the most influential period. Ralf named them as an influence. Klaus and Magnus also name Maiden as an influence

Fellow Germans and heavy metal legends, Ralf named Accept as an influence. Klaus also names them as an influence.

Fellow Germans and heavy metal legends, Ralf named Accept as an influence. Klaus also names them as an influence.

Steve Vai is a virtuoso player that many guitar players drool over. Magnus names him a main influence.

Steve Vai is a virtuoso player that many guitar players drool over. Magnus names him a main influence.

John Sykes

John Sykes has been in a number of bands including Thin Lizzy, Tygers of Pan Tang and White Snake. Tom names him as an influence.

John Sykes has been in a number of bands including Thin Lizzy, Tygers of Pan Tang and White Snake. Tom names him as an influence.

The fathers of thrash metal. Stefan said when it comes to rhythm Metallica is one of his main influences.

The fathers of thrash metal. Stefan said when it comes to rhythm Metallica is one of his main influences.

The earliest of the Bay Area scene and thrash legends, Exodus were an influence on Klaus’s drumming.

The earliest of the Bay Area scene and thrash legends, Exodus were an influence on Klaus’s drumming.

The arena rock/glam metal band Night Ranger is named as a favorite band of Tom who names guitarist Brad Gillis as an influence.

The arena rock/glam metal band Night Ranger is named as a favorite band of Tom who names guitarist Brad Gillis as an influence.

One of most aggressive of the American thrash bands, Slayer pushed the boundaries of metal early on. Stefan is a big fan and is influenced by their riffing. Klaus is also influenced by Slayer.

One of most aggressive of the American thrash bands, Slayer pushed the boundaries of metal early on. Stefan is a big fan and is influenced by their riffing. Klaus is also influenced by Slayer.

The great Ronnie James Dio has been a huge influence on many. Magnus names his band as an influence.

The great Ronnie James Dio has been a huge influence on many. Magnus names his band as an influence.

Considered the earliest of progressive metal, Queensryche is named as a influence by Magnus.

Considered the earliest of progressive metal, Queensryche is named as a influence by Magnus.

Dave Mustaine could easily be considered the father of thrash metal. Stefan named Megadeth as a main influence on his rhythm playing.

Dave Mustaine could easily be considered the father of thrash metal. Stefan named Megadeth as a main influence on his rhythm playing.

Thrash legends Testament were an influence on Klaus’s drumming.

Thrash legends Testament were an influence on Klaus’s drumming.

Paul Gilbert

Paul Gilbert got his start in the speed metal band Racer X before Mr. Big and a slew of solo albums and instructional videos. Tom named him as an influence.

Paul Gilbert got his start in the speed metal band Racer X before Mr. Big and a slew of solo albums and instructional videos. Tom named him as an influence.

Kip Winger

Kip Winger… yes of Winger. He got his start with Alice Cooper and after Winger did a number of solo albums. Mat names him as an influence particularly his first solo album. Stefan also says he listens to his solo stuff to relax.

Kip Winger… yes of Winger. He got his start with Alice Cooper and after Winger did a number of solo albums. Mat names him as an influence particularly his first solo album. Stefan also says he listens to his solo stuff to relax.

Dream Theater are not the first progressive metal band but certainly have defined it. Stefan named his favorite album as Images and Words and named John Petrucci as a big influence.

Dream Theater are not the first progressive metal band but certainly have defined it. Stefan named his favorite album as Images and Words and named John Petrucci as a big influence.

On the Primal Fear website Mat’s favorite bands are listed as Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy), Sting, Kip Winger, Billy Idol/Steve Stevens, and Steve Jones (Sex Pistols). In one interview when asked about favorite bands he names a lot of really lame stuff a long side some cooler bands… Between him and Tom it is amazing that Primal Fear isn’t complete crap.

Tom said he grew up listening to Judas Priest, Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden, Def Lepard, Van Halen, and Nightranger. He sucks though and now he says he listens to stuff like Pantera, Breaking Benjamin, Papa Roach.

Stephan said he first got into metal through Rainbow and then moved to Judas Priest and then thrash like Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer before getting into Yngwie Malmsteen. More “modern” bands he said he was into are Faith no More, Clawfinger and Dream Theater.

Henny in an interview named Motörhead, Rose Tattoo, ZZ Top, Status Quo and AC/DC as influences for Nitrogods.

From what I can tell drummer Randy Black has only one co-writing credit. He names influences as: Keith Moon, John Bonham, Neil Peart of RUSH and Terry Bozzio. He said the newest drummer he likes i Jaska Raatikainen of Children of Bodom.

Magnus among the influences mentioned above says he’s a huge fan of NWOBHM bands.

Alex has been on guitar duty for a while, but I’m uncertain if he does any writing in the band. If anyone can confirm that I will add his influences to the main list. He names early influences as KIss, Status Quo, then Deep Purple and Rainbow being he is a huge Ritchie Blackmore, Jimi Hendrix, and Randy Rhoads fan. He also names Gary Moore, Yngwie Malmsteen, George Lynch, John Sykes and Chris Impellitteri.

From what I can tell newer drummers don’t have any writing credits, I’ll revisit them if I find out otherwise.

Sources:

http://kkdowning.net/steelmill/Interviews/ralf-scheepers/
http://www.metal-temple.com/site/catalogues/entry/musicians/ralph_scheepers_primal.htm
http://www.primalfear.de/home/band/mat-sinner/
http://www.primalfear.de/home/band/tom-naumann/
https://young-metal.webnode.es/news/interview-tom-naumann-primal-fear/
https://www.revolution-inc.dk/tekst/tag/Tom%20Naumann
https://auxportesdumetal.com/interviews/Nitrogods2012-uk.html
http://nuclearfire.tripod.com/steeleagle/id21.html
http://steeleagle.20m.com/sperling.html
https://www.rockeyez.com/interviews/int-primalfear-black.html
http://metalexiles.com/magnus-karlsson-the-ferryman.html
https://www.moshville.co.uk/interview/2015/11/interview-magnus-karlsson-freefall-primal-fear-last-tribe-starbreaker-etc/
http://metalkings.com/reviews/silent-force/silent-force-eng-2004.htm
https://www.seigneursdumetal.fr/index.php?page=interview&id_inter=284