Fear

Label: Sumthing Dist.
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 789731050125
EAN: 0789731050125
ASIN: B000030042

Release Date: 1999-10-26

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Listmania:

Best Modern Progressive Rock Albums (not in any order)

Tracks:

Fear
Faces Of War
Cold City Lights
Lies
Follow Me
Voices
Sea Of Time

Customer Reviews:

Enter John West.......2006-08-09

You could say that Royal Hunt had something to prove in 1999, after unceremoniously dumping vocalist D.C. Cooper, who was arguably responsible for much of the band's success up to that point. I don't think we'll ever know the real story behind his firing, but the end result is that Cooper went on to a profitable solo career, and Royal Hunt continued as a band, this time with Artension's John West on vocals.

1999's Fear was West's first album with Royal Hunt, and he gives an admirable performance. He has a decent range, and his voice conveys emotion quite nicely. Comparisons with D.C. Cooper are unavoidable though, and to be quite honest West just doesn't measure up. He's a good singer, and if he were following Henrik Brockmann (from the band's first two albums) I'd call him an improvement. But D.C. Cooper's voice is like a force of nature, and those are hard shoes to fill. There's an energy and power on Moving Target and Paradox that you just don't find on Fear.

Overall, Fear is a very solid melodic metal album. The songwriting is on par with Moving Target, though perhaps not at the Paradox level. Musically, the band is as good as ever. More so than on previous releases, the keyboards take center stage on this album, which give it a more progressive feel.

Again, if Fear had followed Clown in the Mirror, it would probably be hailed as the band's best work. Stacked up against Paradox though, it can't help but fall short.

Good progressive metal, but not my style.......2001-01-22

One of the other reviewers liked "Paradox" over "Fear". I would rank them equally. It is correct that John West never lets loose on this, its very similar to his last release with Artension. (neither does D.C. Cooper on "Paradox") I'm not a big fan of the "grand" or "regal" style of metal presented here, but I am not disappointed by any means. If you want to hear John West belt it out, get his solo effort "Permanent Mark".

A Let Down.......2000-09-13

After unceremoniously dumping DC Cooper, Royal Hunt seems to have rushed into a studio to prove "We don't need him to succeed." Well, while "Fear" would normally be a solid effort from any prog-metal album, it's quite a let-down from their brilliant last album, "Paradox." New vocalist John West (Artension, solo on Shrapnel) never really lets things rip - he sings like a session vocalist, and not a real member of the band. Musically Royal Hunt is still one of the best - nice riffs, great keyboarding, and a solid rhythm section. But "Fear" never seems to capture the majesty and grandeur of their previous works.

Deja Vu..........2000-07-05

This is weird... Very strange... I can remember, back in 1973, getting really excited about an album that had it all - heart-beats, ticking clocks...and the most uplifting music I'd ever heard... That was Pink Floyd's 'Dark Side Of The Moon', with it's underlying theme of mental illness... Well, here we go again... I've got that feeling once more.Here is an album exploring various forms of fear. It's got the sound effects, it's got the most thoughtful, magnificent music - excitingly arranged, perfectly performed, and with a depth and variation that is simply staggering. The first track - 'Fear' - has an opening that defies description, giving way to the monster Royal Hunt sound - big drums, darting bass runs, fat, filthy, fast guitar licks...and Andre Andersen's keyboards, which sound, as always, like some Baroque orchestra on speed! 'Lies' is a frenetically paced romp that shows influences as diverse as AC/DC and - would you beleive - Antonio Vivaldi! And that's followed by the Big Metal Ballad... 'Follow Me' is a beautifully crafted, heart-felt plea to forget the fear of the unknown and do 'what your heart is telling you...' This album is packed with songs that are memorable, delivered with great skill and wrapped in arrangements that leave you breathless (and, if played at the correct volume, also half-deaf! ) Don't hesitate - buy the damn thing!

Fear.......2000-06-27

When I first heard DC Cooper wasn't going to be in the band anymore, I almost freaked! That guy had a set of pipes! But when I heard John West hit those high notes during the climax of the first song on this album, I was amazed! I think I even like John better! I have no complaints with this album! It is classic Royal Hunt; with the incredible keyboards, powerful guitars, beautiful harmonies, and wonderfully written songs! The highlights of this album, in my opinion, are Fear (with a few added points for that Genesis verse reversed at the beginning!) and Follow Me. I'm still debating if I like this album more than Paradox and have a feeling I'll never be able to decide! This is definately worth buying!

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