Musical Style: Hard Rock	Produced By: Kyle Simpson & Larry Worley
Record Label: Roxx Records	Country Of Origin: USA
Year Released: 2022	Artist Website:
Tracks: 12	Rating: 95%
Running Time: 49:23

Fear Not fully embraced the ‘melodic’ proposition to the melodic hard rock of its 1993 Pakaderm Records self-titled debut full length.  Abounding in commercial melodies, catchy hooks and radio friendly sensibilities, the 90% Angelic Warlord reviewed work in my opinion stands alongside Guardian’s Fire & Love (1990) and Novella’s One Big Sky (1991) as one of the top melodic hard rock albums of its era.  Band performance played no small role in this regard, beginning with gritty vocalist Larry Worley but also including grooving riff guitarist Chris Howell and imposing rhythm section of bassist Rod Romero and drummer Gary Hanson.

Groups success ended up fleeting in that it disbanded shortly thereafter and went on to join the ranks of other notable Christian hard music acts Rage Of Angels, Recon and Eternal Ryte to release a lone acclaimed album before dropping from the scene.  That is until now when against all odds the original four members to Fear Not reunited with new front man Eddie Green to sign with Roxx Records for the 2019 release to its new EP For The Wounded Heart.  With said momentum behind it, Fear Not returned to the studio with the same lineup to records its summer of 2022 second full length album Fields Of Sorrow (also Roxx).
 
Whereas For The Wounded Heart musically trended towards the modern side of things, Fields Of Sorrow does the better job staying true to the signature Fear Not melodic hard rock basis but with a twist.  Yes, Fields Of Sorrow still presents with the occasional modern metal to grunge like moment - by no means a bad thing - but also points to a stripped down and bare bones hard rock yielding in which Fear Not explores a blues based and acoustic facet to its songwriting.  It adds up to a more current and up to date Fear Not that despite a potentially redefined albeit analogous melodic sound, achieves similar levels of artistic creditability.

Opener “Riptide” provides a good indicator of the circa 2022 Fear Not sound.  On one hand, song is undeniably heavy with its hard rock riff emphasis, but on the other, catchy in terms of the hook driven undercurrents to draw in with repeat play.  All the while Green impresses with his gravelly, lower register - not to mention fully complementary - vocal abilities.  Lyric snippet:

Suffocate… I can’t breathe
Blinded… can’t see
Pied piper whispers in my ear
All the things I want to hear

Trapped in the current
Drowning in the waves so high
Reach beneath and save me
Now I’m caught, caught in the riptide

Some of those modern metal sentiments reveal on “Voluntary Madness” in the form of occasional ‘screamed’ backing vocals.  Tempo otherwise elevates to an assertive level in sustaining the simmering priority, albeit lightening for the commercial sentiments to the lushly woven refrain.  Give credit to Hanson for his impactful drum proclivities.

Albums title track also exhibits a modern metal flair from making use of ‘screamed’ vocals.  Despite the angst, however, “Fields Of Sorrow”, does not lack melody, polished backing vocals speak of the radio friendly, nor of the blues soaked, pointing to the grainy slide guitar emphasis.  I do not mind the modern metal elements on a couple songs, but if the entire album were in this direction, I might take exception.  Lyric snippet:

Planting seeds in soil so dead
Can’t shake this devil from my head

Thunder cracks so loud
Rain falls down
Faith brings the storm
Quenching this parched ground
You said you would never leave me…
I need to feel you now

Speaking of the blues, “Lay It All Down” impresses as a laid back melodic hard rocker reveling in the form.  Momentum decelerates to the mid-tempo as guitars temper to a reserved albeit no less flattering role and vocals deliver a smoother and soaring touch.  Worley and Howell deliver the bluesy licks and chops guitar wise.

The Who cover “Join Together” is the type of hard rock anthem to make a perfect concert opener.  It plays up Romero’s deft bass undercurrents alongside an inspired demeanor, exuding of the exultant in the form of a lavishing refrain exhorting the listener to ‘join together with the band!’ and classic rock influences found in tasteful backend organ.

Light but flattering grunge elements reveal on “Black Soul Sunshine”.  Perhaps it is the lower key approach or the darkly woven priority, but the song separates in this regard in the most positive sense in ranking with this reviewers choice tracks.  Vocals that range from the down tuned to the astute, mesmerizing riff action and curt but catchy refrain combine with the best sides of the current and old school done Fear Not style.  Lyric snippet:

Desperate, to find joy in a hopeless place
Desperate, to fill the void of this empty space

I want to feel something
Shine Your light into my soul
I need to feel Your love… I need
To lay it down, take up your crown and
Lay down my black soul

“Beautifully Broken” also ranks with albums top tracks.  It carries over the darker essence but in a more reserved package, emphasizing guitars on the lighter but bluesy side and demeanor brimming of the hauntingly melodic.  Again, the work of Worley and Howell is nothing less than spot on.

Album hits its stride with the metal signatures to “Struggle”.  Opening to a quick drum solo, song grinds its span in abrading mid-tempo fashion as the bluesy tinctures are raised but contrasted by the emanating ‘why, I’ vocal melodies to hint of King’s X.  Fear Not stretches in terms of making a creative artistic statement. 

“Into The Grave” proves a Bride style hard rocker in similar vein as Snakes In The Playground.  Affecting of the inspired with its brazen guitar overtones but also reeking emotion from the granular hooks to hold say over the biting scene.  Lone difference is gravelly feel to vocals as opposed to the expansive form to Dale Thompson.  Lyric snippet:

I am but a filthy rag
But blameless in Your sight
You’ve taken my darkness and turned on the light

I’m not perfect, but the apple of Your eye
I fall to my knees and raise my hands high

I am… my Father’s son
I’m forgiven…
I’m so loved

Fear Not explores its acoustic side on the earthy “American Prayer” to also hint of Bride but with a more laid back and easygoing slant not unlike the groups 1995 release Drop.  I appreciate the steel guitar as well as the occasional hint of banjo.  Lyric snippet:

It can start with me, so a nation can see
What happens if we choose to believe?
Turn it all around, if we fall to the ground
Do you care to take my dare and start our…
Our American prayer

Of the two closing bonus tracks, “God’s Country” is my favorite with its apt Country tinged hard rock vibe not unlike Bon Jovi’s “Dead Or Alive”.  It accordingly also rates with my choice cuts from its overriding melody and cool slide guitar leaning.  Second “Carry Me” is a very well done piano-based reprise of the worship rock track to make initial appearance on For The Wounded Heart.

Fields Of Sorrow adds up to a well deserved 95% in featuring one great song after another.  Twelve quality cuts standing equally on there own- no filler or skip buttons with the two bonus tracks every bit album worthy as the preceding ten.  Musicianship and vocals are on a corresponding level as is clean production, albeit not quite polished as the Elefante produced debut.  Equal credit goes to Scott Waters (No Life Til Metal Graphics) for the quality cover art, layout and design.  It might be a bit early to use the ‘album of the year label’ but if into melodic hard rock with a bluesy (at times modern) edge then Fields Of Sorrows represents a strong contender for your choice.

Review by Andrew Rockwell 

Track Listing: “Riptide” (3:54), “Voluntary Madness” (4:10). “Fields Of Sorrow” (3:09), “Lay It All Down” (3:56), “Join Together” (4:09), “Black Soul Sunshine” (4:41), “Beautifully Broken” (4:32), “Struggle” (3:57), “Into The Grave” (4:24), “American Prayer” (4:30), “God’s Country” (3:44), “Carry Me” (Reprise) (4:15)

Musicians
Eddie Green - Lead Vocals
Chris Sorensen (Howell) - Guitars
Larry Worley - Guitars & Vocals
Rod Romero - Bass
Gary Hanson - Drums