| Musical Style: Melodic Hard Rock | Produced By: Kyle Simpson |
| Record Label: Roxx Records | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 2025 | Artist Website: |
| Tracks: 5 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 20:14 |
The Fear Not June of 2025 Roxx Records five song EP Weight Of The World blends eighties melodic hard rock with modern rock overtones. The group traces to Los Angeles, California hair metal act Love Life, which was founded in the early nineties by vocalist Larry Worley, guitarist Darin Eby, bassist Rod Romero and drummer Gary Hanson. Subsequent to releasing its first and only album Goodbye Lady Jane in 1991 (on Blonde Vinyl), Love Life disbanded only later to regroup under the Fear Not moniker but with Chris Howell replacing Eby on guitar. Fear Not released in its 1993 Pakaderm Records self-titled debut one of the finer melodic hard rock albums of its era (noting the 90% Angelic Warlord review) but sadly split up shortly thereafter.
Good news is Fear Not reformed twenty-five years later with the core lineup of Hanson, Romero, Howell and Worley (now on guitar but not lead vocals) joined by new front man Eddie Green. The groups 2018 Roxx Records comeback EP For The Wounded Heart, however, switches gears musically towards modern inclined hard rock with eighties commercial distinctions (75% Angelic Warlord review). When Fear Not returned four years later with full length follow up release Fields Of Sorrow (also Roxx), it revisited its melodic hard rock roots but not without forsaking light modern nuances (95% Angelic Warlord review). Weight Of The World musically follows the same in carrying over the momentum to Fields Of Sorrow and captures its songwriting impeccability in the process.
Albums opening title track impresses in this regard. “Weight Of The World” roars out of the gate, clouting with its momentous guitar inclining (reflecting a minor modern faculty) and Green’s rusty and raspy mid-ranged vocals (noting the occasional growled scream). A lighter side to the song manifests in form of backend keyboards. Lyric snippet:
Rise from the ashes, reclaim my soul
With every scar, a story to be told
My heart’s so brave, my spirit so bold
In the darkness, I’ll find my light
Rise up, rise up, I’ll take the fight
Against all odds, in the eye of the storm
I won’t be crushed… by the weight of the world
Kenny Wayne Shepherd cover “Blue On Black” (off Trouble Is… from 1997) touches upon a bluesy acoustic rock facet. The piano joined with acoustic guitar to start soon joins with marked rhythm guitar, which pushes to the forefront and leads way to the layered refrain imagining a swarthy if not courser side to Fear Not. Sorensen and Worley shine with their bluesy licks and chops. I am reminded of Fields Of Sorrows tracks “American Prayer” and “God’s Country”.
Powerhouse slugger “Crashin’ Down” ensues, complete with chugging bass and trenchant momentum to match. Angst and emotion approach metal like capacity, as hooks burn with tumultuous fury and rhythms embrace the impassioned. Pointed backing vocals align with the songs severe motifs, while guitar work sears with authority.
“A Circle Complete” is this reviewer’s choice track. It proves dark and moody, awash in bluesy acoustic laced Psalm 23 style emotion as Green sings with heartfelt conviction and melody coincides with the unrestrained. If Bride put “A Circle Complete” on Kinetic Faith or Snakes In The Playground, it would be considered a classic. One cannot deny the faith-based statement:
There are days that all I want to do is hide
There are days that I want to be center stage
Sometimes I struggle just to stay afloat
Other times I walk across the raging see
Either way I know that if I reach up to You, You reach down to me
I walk in the light, even through the darkest of nights
You’re perfect love gives me perfect peace
You are my circle complete
Thru first four songs, I was prepared to give Weight Of The World the highest score I have assigned an EP, but sadly in my opinion it dips (even if slightly) for closer “Finish The Race”. What we have is a cookie cutter praise and worship piece that while far from bad, I find somewhat formula- despite another encouraging message, impression with repeat listen is that I have heard this several times previously. It is not that far removed, for example, from For The Wounded Heart worship rocker “Carry Me”. I feel Fear Not capable of stretching a bit more artistically. Lyric snippet:
I beg and I plead, I fall and I bleed
Help me get to my feet again…
I’m down on my knees
Begging You please
To finish this race I started
To live and not die, I swallow my pride
Please give me a reason
To love and not hate, to give it away
To lay down my misery
Weight Of The World picks up where Fields Of Sorrow leaves off with four top of the line songs that rank with Fear Not’s best. Musically, it maintains a similar eighties hard rock basis but imbued with flattering modern distinctions. Production remains in high form, as is musicianship and vocals. I hope this is a precursor to a full-length album from Fear Not.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Weight Of The World“ (3:21), “Blue On Black” (4:53), “Crashin’ Down” (3:53), “A Circle Complete” (3:56), “Finish The Race” (4:13)
Musicians
Eddie Green - Lead Vocals
Chris Sorensen - Guitars
Larry Worley - Guitars
Rod Romero - Bass
Gary Hanson - Drums
