Description
The self-titled debut album by the American melodic hard rock band Fear Not was released on Pakaderm Records in 1993, manufactured and distributed by Word. The album was recorded by J.R. McNeely, Doug Beiden, John Elefante, and Dino Elefante at Pakaderm Studios in Los Alamitos, California; with the Elefante brothers producing. Mixed by Dino Elefante assisted by Doug Beiden. (Recorded at the same studio and with the same production team that recently had recorded Guardian’s classic hard rock album Miracle Mile.)
Fear Not features Chris Howell, Larry Worley, Rod Romero, and Gary Hanson.
These four-year veterans of the L.A. club wars have soaked up influences ranging from Bon Jovi to Van Halen to Poison (and not a little Guardian as well). Two years ago, the quartet (then performing as Love Life) debutet with ‘Goodbye, Lady Jane‘, one of the best products ever released on the Blonde Vinyl label; though garnering critical raves and notching some chart action, budget constraints kept the band from the extensive touring which would have broken it to a larger audience. A jump to Pakaderm finds Fear Not paired with producers John and Dino Elefante. Oft criticized for sonically neutering their rock and metal acts, the Elefantes add just the right amount of polish to the band’s blues-rock swagger. Brimming with confidence and bursting with energy, Fear Not punches hard and fast, delivering the goods not only one the head-banging anthems, but on a couple of tunes that restore one’s faith in the validity of “power ballads.” Although Bride and Guardian upped the hard rock ante with ‘Snakes In the Playground‘ and ‘Miracle Mile‘, Fear Not calls all bets with this explosive album. [Bruce A. Brown, CCM, September 1993]
The name Fear Not is not often listed amongst Christian heavy metal pioneers and these Californians only recorded one full album… this one. On the 25th anniversary of its original release, Roxx Records have re-issued this remastered edition bringing the tracks up to modern day standards. The opener, «Give It Up», is full of catchy hooks, solid bass riffs and sing along gang vocals. Conjuring up hints of Guardian in their prime, its bluesy heavy rock style has all the elements of classic power metal from the 1980s. Vocalist Larry Worley has a similar rasp and depth to his voice that compares well to Jamie Rowe, which when added to the guitar talents of Michael Cutting who went on to play with Holy Soldier, the musical lineup has an impressive set of credentials. Playing the line between AOR and hard rock, the original production of the Elefante brothers is enhanced by Rob Colwell as other tracks crash and roll with power and class. «Suicide Sunshine» opens with a throaty bass and features yet another chorus of layered harmonies that transport you back to the late ’80s. Obligatory power ballads are delivered in generous measure too with the rolling «Take Hold» capturing a timely sound and arrangement that could be compared to Mr Big at their best. In addition to the original track listing, two extra bonus cuts are included, which whilst not completely fitting the overall tone of the originals, do nothing to detract from the impact of the album. The first of these, «You Got Love» has a real crunch and energy and originally featured on the first ‘Liberty & Justice’ EP. At over 50 minutes of music this piece of CCM history is really worth seeking out if early ’90s rock is your bag. The album was originally lost, but with this presentation it has enough quality and chops for me to suggest that it should not be allowed to disappear into obscurity a second time. [Ian Webber, Cross Rhythms, December 2017]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/fear-not/1503127649)
CD tracklist:
01. Give It Up – 3:37
02. We Have A God – 3:12
03. Mr. Compromise – 4:28
04. Till The End Of My Days – 4:33
05. Suicide Sunshine – 5:45
06. Money Money – 4:00
07. Easy Come Easy Go – 3:50
08. There Is Love – 3:50
09. Mad World – 4:03
10. Take Hold – 4:41
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by Pakaderm Records. Re-issued as a 25th Anniversary Limited Edition by Roxx Records 15th December 2017, completely remastered by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound for both vinyl and a special CD pressing.
A full-page advertisement for various new releases on Pakaderm Records, including Fear Not’s self-titled album, was featured in Syndicate Magazine No 42, Vol. 9, 1994.
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