| Musical Style: Modern Hard Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Roxx Records | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2019 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 5 | Rating: 75% |
| Running Time: |
For The Wounded Heart, the March of 2019 Roxx Records 5-song comeback EP from Fear Not, was a tough nut to crack. At face value, it has big shoes to fill in the form of its Pakaderm Records 1993 self-titled predecessor, a 90% Angelic Warlord graded work recognizable for its joining of melodic hard rock and AOR infused hooks to feature gritty lead vocalist Larry Worley and the polished (but not to a fault) production of Dino and John Elefante. As with many releases from the time, Fear Not went out of print and turned into a highly sought after and pricey collector’s item. Enter Roxx Records, whom in December of 2017 re-mastered the album (courtesy of Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound) and re-issued it with upgraded cover art in both the CD (500 copies) and vinyl (100 purple, 200 black) formats.
Hence, when news broke that Fear Not reformed with its original lineup - including not just Worley but also guitarist Chris Howell, bassist Rod Romero and drummer Gary Hansen - and signed to Roxx to make its first recording in 25 years, interest piqued, particularly that of yours truly. I always identified with Fear Not as embodying some of the finest melodic hard rock I have heard, or at the very least ranks alongside Guardian (Fire & Love) and Novella (One Big Sky) in this capacity. Expectations on my part, as a result, were high, if not unreasonably so.
Initial misgivings came when it was reported Worley wound not be fronting the project but rather newcomer Eddie Green, better known for his work with Even The Dogs (Worley still participated on the EP but on guitar and backing vocals). I knew something was up when research revealed Even The Dogs to possess a full on modern metal/hard rock sound, with screaming vocals and all. First listen to For The Wounded Heart revealed my deepest suspicions confirmed in terms of its presiding modern guitar tones and how Green might be a talented performer but whose deep, middle to lower register style sounds straight out of the mid-nineties. No, by no means a bad thing but it takes some getting used to for those familiar with the recognizable raspy, melodic tone of Worley.
What is the best manner to approach such circumstances? Do we throw expectations out the window and realize that if people change then correspondingly bands do as well, particularly when reforming following 25-year hiatus? Should we refrain from telegraphing a band to the point we demand it stay true to its classic sound we dismiss it when heading in a direction not in line with our tastes? Alternatively, is it more important to take a step back and assess each work objectively despite expectation with the goal to determine whether the music is of quality regardless of style? Hence, the questions pertaining to Fear Not and the modern tinged hard rock direction to For The Wounded Heart.
Opening cut “Don’t Want None (Come Gets Some)” stays the most true to the signature melodic hard rock Fear Not sound. With drum solo to start followed by perseverant guitars, the song smoothly shuffles through its layered acoustic verse sections prior to exploding for an expansive refrain of the stalwart variety: Don’t want none, come get some. You don’t want the trouble I bring. Don’t want none, come get some, I can handle anything A fitting 80’s style guitar solo round out what (in my opinion) is albums best track.
Said modern flavorings emerge on follow up cut “Shadows Fade”. It alternates between moments of a moderate form, noting the tepid feel to guitars, and others to make a stronger statement, in which guitars power to the front of the mix. A strong melody arises, as does another fervent guitar solo to also place “Shadows Fade” among the EP’s finer. A joining of the modern and melodic hard rocking might be the best way to describe things.
For The Wounded Heart takes its lone downturn on worship rocker “Carry Me”. Yes, the song brings needed elements in the form of a mood filled setting, low key musical environs (Green shines in stretching vocally) and heart rending message to go hand in hand: You said I’d never have more than I can bear, carry me now. You know I can’t do this without You, carry me now By no means is it bad musically, but it brings the same type of ‘sound alike’ quality innate to most worship rock (at least to these hears) that cannot help but make you ask: ‘where have I heard this before?’
Fortunately, EP closes two very strong cuts, beginning with mid-paced modern hard rocker “Love Is Alright”. It represents by far the heaviest cut here, with its down-tuned low end and crunching guitars to on occasion reflect upon the bluesy, although it can surprisingly smooth for the easygoing elements outlining its honed refrain. Production in particular shines with its emphasizing of the gritty and evenly polished.
“Shipwrecked Hypocrite” takes a similar mid-paced hard rock heading, with verses staunch and focused as the group makers another borderline bluesy statement, and refrain catchy with its deeply woven harmony vocals. I enjoy how it fades out in classical fashion to what sounds like cello or viola. As with all the EP’s cuts, it is refreshing to know guitarist Chris Howell has not lost his touch soloing wise.
Accept as neutral observation and not a critique when I suggest Fear Not circa 2019 sounds little like its prime 1993 version. Yes, many of the signature elements that made Fear Not such a fine album are present in the form of understated heaviness and commercial hooks but offsetting are the modern guitar tones and lower register vocals as opposed to those gritty. Regardless, of style, what it comes down to is whether the music is any good, and I have to answer with a resounding yes in that potentially outside of worship rocker “Carry Me”, For The Wounded Heart is full of very good songs I enjoy with repeat listen. My experience is that the best way to approach the EP is to be open-minded and accepting of change in understanding this might not be early 90’s Fear Not but is still a creditable version all the same.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Don’t Want None (Come Get Some)” (3:57), “Shadows Fade” (4:13), “Carry Me” (4:14), “Love Is Alright” (3:59), “Ship Wrecked Hypocrite” (4:12)
Musicians
Eddie Green - Lead Vocals
Larry Worley - Guitars & Vocals
Chris Howell - Guitars
Rod Romero - Bass
Gary Hansen - Drums
