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Fear of Fours features some of the
best and most experienced Italian
musicians, such as Terence Holler
(Eldritch), Andrea Martongelli (Power
Quest, Arthemis), Mirko Nosari (Mothercare),
Marco Piran (Mothercare), Giulio
Bogoni (ex-White Skull) and the talented
bassist Lucio Piccoli. Their first
album, ‘Never Heaven",
is a small diamond that comes just
right where you do not expect it.
Numerous
times we have heard of progressive
metal bands, but often we are let
disappointed, because the term "progression" is
conceived as repetition and cloning.
However in the case of Fear of Fours,
the hybrid of power/progressive and
death metal is an actual progressive
endeavor. And though this hybrid
is already presented by many other
bands, Fear of Fours approach it
with their own perspective, which
is based firstly on their quite innovative
ideas and secondly on the use of
many intriguing elements, such as
Arabian percussion and flamenco guitars.
Fear of Fours have a wide platform
of influences, from Conception to
Eldrich and from Breed 77 to Porcupine
Tree, all combined with death metal
structures and vocals. This wide
platform is exactly what helps them
form their own identity and together
with excellent performances, especially
the guitar and keys work is outstanding,
make "Never Heaven" a
very attractive and interesting release.
However the album
has not only advantages, but also
things that need further development.
For example some of the clear vocals
sound imbalanced, while some black
metal vocals I think that should
not even exist. I suspect that this
approach on the vocals section is
related with the lyrical ideas of
the album, which deal with the fragility
and insecurity of human existence,
but in a sense they are not serving
the whole output. Also the production
has margins of improvement, as the
sound of drums and the acoustic guitars
do not come as natural as they should.
In conclusion,
the album is a serious candidate
in your purchase list, because it
is a fresh release that will fascinate
true friends of progressive metal.
I find it hard to be someone disappointed
by tracks, such as the opening "Craving
for Light", "Edge
of Insanity", "Carved
(pt2)" and "The Days
of Betrayal". As said before,
this is a good chance to find a small
diamond and it should not be missed.
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