Once upon a time there was a hard rock / power metal band called Love Life, who dwelt on the short-lived Blonde Vinyl label. Once the label bit the big enchilada, the band went through some personnel changes, including adding guitarist Chris Howell (God's answer to Zakk Wylde of Ozzy Osbourne and Black Label Society) to their ranks. Hence, Fear Not was born. Or something.
With the release of their self-titled debut in 1993 on the Pakaderm (the label for all things hard and glossy), what the general Christian public was given was Love Life beefed up on steroids with Chris' playing to give 'em that bit of oomph never really achieved with their previous band. Fear Not is typical of most bands that the brothers Elefante produced on their label (remember, Guardian was on the label during their hair tenure): slick, well-produced (some would say over-produced) melodic hard rock / power metal with a southern twinge to it, with the lyrics highly evangelic with social conscientious leanings- "We Have A God" is the obligatory Christian anthem ("Yes, we have a God, and His name is Jesus"), it's not bad for a quick shot of something heavy and faith-affirming; "Till The End Of My Days" sounds like a cross between Skid Row's "I'll Remember You" and Guardian's "Never Say Goodbye", sugary sweet balladeering; "Suicide Sunshine" is about drug addiction, set to an equally addictive guitar hook. I'll stop the analysis there.
Fear Not, representing the band's only contribution to Christian hard rock / metal, is not a bad listen. It'll definitely register for those who enjoyed Skid Row's self-titled debut, Bride's Kinetic Faith, and anything Kiss put out in the 80s after Lick It Up...
7/10
Other coverage for this album
The Lighthouse October 1993Reviewed by Beth BlinnA second offering from the Elefante brothers, but the only thing this album shares with the Scott Springer release is the fairly straight forward lyrics and the producers. This four member band used to be known as Love Life, and had one album released on the Blonde Vinyl label. A blues-based rock group, the now-titled Fear Not has moved to the Pakaderm label, and the Elefantes. This is good rock…Heaven's Metal #43Reviewed by Doug Van PeltJohn and Dino Elefante take a lot of flak for producing a formulaic pop rock sound (and some of it is founded in truth), but ya gotta applaud 'em for their most recent hard rock feats--the monumental "Miracle Mile" album from Guardian, and this Fear Not album. What? Pat the "slick production guys" on the back for a dirty 'n' gritty hard rock album? 'Fraid so (Sorry, couldn't resist using that…Similar sounding releases
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