| Musical Style: Metal/Hard Rock | Produced By: Rex Carroll |
| Record Label: Dark Star | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2020 | Artist Website: Fierce Heart |
| Tracks: 11 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 43:31 |
Remember back in 1987 when Whitecross released the melodic metal of its self-titled debut to feature virtuoso shredder Rex Carroll, of the multiple Heaven’s Metal Guitar Hero awards? Carroll recorded four additional albums with Whitecross - Hammer & Nail (1988), Triumphant Return (1989), In The Kingdom (1991) and High Gear (1992) - but what many do not know is that he got his start in the mid-eighties with Fierce Heart. A demo Carroll recorded with the goal of auditioning for Whitesnake made its way into the hands of Atlantic Records A&R rep Jim Delehant, which led to a recording contract and the highly regarded Fierce Heart 1985 self-titled debut to trend similar eighties melodic metal and hard rock territory.
The album, however, might have been musically superior but does not come without its faults, particularly from a production standpoint. Despite being produced by Delehant and multiple Grammy award winner Chris Lord, Fierce Heart features ‘uninspired production that cannot help but leave somewhat desired’ (quoting the 80% Angelic Warlord review of the 2016 AOR Blvd re-issue). Specifically, ‘I expected guitars to come roaring out of the speakers only to end up underwhelmed upon finding them, well, decidedly subdued’. Programmed drums make matters even worse.
Not so on Fierce Heart fall of 2020 Dark Star Records sophomore release War For The World, which leaves little doubt it is a metal album from how Carroll’s signature strident rhythm guitar places front and center in the mix. Whereas Fierce Heart might have drawn upon the commercial sounds to become prevalent the latter part of the eighties, War For The World stays true to an assertive, guitar driven vibe common to the decade’s first half. Underwhelmed I am not! Replacing the programmed drums is definitive timekeeper Nich Forchione, who rounds out the rhythm section with bassist Antonio Acevedo. Carroll has worked with his share of talented vocalists - including Scott Wenzel (Whitecross) and Jimi Bennett (King James) - but Robert Reynolds might be the best of the bunch with a soulful mid to upper range style that while uniquely his own, at times suggests of David Coverdale and Sammy Hagar.
So where does War For The World rank among the Rex Carroll back catalog? While the as noted Whitecross debut might feature the group’s strongest selection of songs, in my opinion Triumphant Return is home to the best combination of songwriting, production and performance on a Whitecross record. If whoever owns the rights to Triumphant Return would release them and allow it to be re-issued, I would give it a solid 85% review.
Another strong contender is Scream In Eden and the commercial metal of its mid-nineties debut Original Sin to see Carroll handle all guitar duties. Lack of promotion, however, prevented the album from receiving the acclaim it deserved, although re-issues on Retroactive Records (2003) and Z Rock Records (2008) contributed to it achieving greater renown (and an 80% Angelic Warlord review).
Carroll’s magnum opus (again, my opinion) is the 1997 sophomore release of King James, The Fall. While also drawing upon a similar eighties metal basis, The Fall also touches upon some grunge elements to rank among the artists heaviest projects ever. Problem is that again due to a lack of promotion, the album fell beneath the radar, but the 2010 re-issue on Retroactive Records brought it some much-needed notoriety (not to mention a 90% Angelic Warlord review).
Which leads us back to War For The World, another musically standout effort that is right there in the thick of things with a similar complete joining of songwriting, production and performance as Triumphant Return. Yet, go beneath the surface and you will find commercial sensibilities akin to Scream In Eden along with heaviness to rival King James. It would be suffice to suggest if you like Carroll’s previous work, then War For The World should be up you alley.
That said do not confuse it with being a Christian album either in that not unlike Fierce Heart, War For The World falls under a mainstream heading instead. Nothing wrong with that, but the problem is that the digi-pak packaging does not include lyrics, so I am unable to go into detail regarding the groups prose. With that in mind, I offer the same thoughts regarding lyrics from my Fierce Heart review in that War For The World might not be for all Angelic Warlord readers, but it is for some- so I encourage you to approach with a certain amount of prudence and discernment in mind’.
Speaking of virtuoso, album opens to “Into The Sun”, one of Carroll’s trademark classically influenced open-air guitar solos of which graced each Whitecross album and helped led to those Heaven’s Metal Guitar Hero awards in question. Ensuing is two of the albums stronger tracks beginning with “Built For Speed” to showcase that heavier Fierce Heart side, with conspicuous rhythm guitar and Forchione’s powerhouse drumming setting the unwavering backbone. The extended lead guitar break is straight from the Impellitteri school of shredding. Lone complaint is the slightly trite lyrics: She’s gonna give you speed, she’s built for speed, it’s really what I need That said, the song is about a car (at least per the music video), so how much wax poetic do you need?
Second, “Out For Blood”, is a well-conceived cover from the debut that proves much heavier (and better) than the original. Catchy riffs master the song its span as Reynold’s exhibits the full breadth to his heartfelt delivery, while another commanding low end takes command over the mid-paced environment. I cannot help but think this is the sound the group intended but could not quite capture on Fierce Heart.
Album takes a commercial turn on “Just Got Lucky”. Song brings an up-tempo melodic resonance (somewhat akin to Impellitteri cut “For Your Love” from Screaming Symphony) but retains the Fierce Heart crunch heavy focus (I almost sense a Ratt style guitar based groove). Likewise, ballad “Lost Inside Your Love” trends the commercial. Yes, Carroll has delivered his share of quality ballads, of which “Without Your Love” off High Gear is my favorite, and “Lost Inside Your Love” is a solid contender with a distinct acoustic and rhythm guitar balance to take things into hard rock territory as opposed to keyboard based.
You will also find two songs drawing inspiration from Scream In Eden”. Assuming melodic metal piece “Bad Child” is reminiscent to sixth Fan The Flame track “Forgotten Child” from how its refrain gradually builds in similar wistful fashion until exploding with full on emotion at the end. Accept the comparison as the highest compliment in that “Forgotten Child” is my favored Scream In Eden song. “Long time”, a bluesy hard rocker with fitting organ and Hagar-ish vocals, reminds of second cut “Show Me” from also giving prominence to a grainy feel, and refrain to include an analogous laid back and reserved quality.
Second half to album includes what in my opinion are its three best songs. Starting with “Rest My Bones”, blues drenched Whitesnake influenced hard rock opening to a minute of acoustic guitar before big drums and even bigger guitars cut in to setting a brimming tone, but also including “Road To Nowhere”, in similar bluesy fashion but more metal with every bit prodigious hooks aligning with moving bass and soulful backing vocals. Albums title track is also a showstopper with a faster eighties metal edge in which near mesmerizing riffs and forthright as it gets melody prevail. It would not sound out of place on any early Whitecross album. Intrinsic to the three are ample stretches of Carroll’s blinding lead guitar.
Lone song to come into question is “Power To Rock”. Not that it is bad musically, it falls within medium to good mid-paced metal territory, but rather the clichéd title and trite lyrics - Let go, its time to rock / You know it’s something you need / You got the power, the power to rock - leave you feeling Fierce Heart are capable of more, at least when placed alongside albums remaining material.
It is again good to hear Rex Carroll’s world-class guitar abilities on Fierce Heart sophomore album War For The World. Fierce Heart, nonetheless, is by no means a one trick pony in that vocalist Robert Reynolds, bassist Antonio Acevdeo and drummer Nick Forchione provide solid support. It could be suggested this is potentially the most talented group of musicians Carroll has surrounded himself since Triumphant Return era Whitecross, although King James 1994 self-titled debut to feature Stryper rhythm section of Robert Sweet and Tim Gaines deserves consideration. Musically, War For The World is solid as it gets far as the eighties metal and hard rock genres concern in highlighting one strong song after another, with “Power To Rock” the lone possible skip button. Moving forward I hope War For The World is the beginning of a partnership to produce more quality albums in the future- and sooner rather than later!
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Into The Sun” (1:15), “Built For Speed” (4:52), “Out For Blood” (4:07), “Just Got Lucky” (4:12), “Lost Inside Your Love” (4:21), “Power To Rock” (3:37), “Bad Child” (4:27), “Rest My Bones” (5:05), “Long Time” (4:10), “War For The World” (3:52), “Road To Nowhere” (3:34)
Musicians
Robert Reynolds - Lead Vocals & Guitars
Rex Carroll - Guitars
Antonio Acevedo - Bass
Nick Forchione - Drums & Cowbell Technician
