GUS G. – Fearless [Digipak +2] (2018)

Guitar virtuoso GUS G., well known in rock and metal circles for his work as Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist and as leader of his own band Firewind, will release his new solo album “Fearless“, on April 20 via AFM Records.
On “Fearless”, Gus joins forces with vocalist / bassist Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Unisonic) and drummer Will Hunt (Evanescence).

Of course, “Fearless” is conceived from a primal scream of daring, unabashed guitar riffs. Modern Hard Rock fans will instantly find these ten new tracks sonically pleasing as they blast out of the amplifiers.
As Gus G.’s first two solo albums featured an assortment of different singers, the guitarist has now spawned a core lineup alongside his longtime collaborating partner vocalist / bassist Dennis Ward and drummer Will Hunt of Evanescence.

Lead off track “Letting Go” charges out of the gate with a double kick groove and unfolds into a heavy slab of riffs. Ward’s melodic rasp attempts to pull the song into more traditional hard rock territory, but instrumentally the band counters with a bid for something heavier. Around the 2-minute mark, a twist into a heavier groove announces the star of the show, as Gus G. tears into an efficient and speedy solo across some more aggressive and groove-heavy riffage before returning to the chorus.
“Mr. Manson” takes the template established on track one, and adds a Ozzy Osbourne feel. Anchored by a swampy bass-heavy riff, the song – presumably inspired by Charles Manson’s death – adds some darker textures to the mix.

Much more hard rock is “Don’t Tread on Me” with a dynamic riff before launching into a moody mid-tempo chug-along verse followed by the requisite catchy chorus that is a staple of almost everything here. Ward, at places, sounds like Jeff Scott Soto.
With the title track, Gus G. smartly indulges the fans that have “asked (him) to record more instrumental tracks.” “Fearless” is the first of 2 excellent instrumental tracks, beginning with some fast classical inspired arpeggios, the song quickly gains its footing via a metallic groove reminiscent of Dokken’s “Mr. Scary,”

“Nothing to Say” is a good earnest ballad with a catchy chorus that sounds truly melodic rock.
The album real misstep is an ill-advised cover of Dire Straits’ “Money for Nothing.” It begins with an almost note for note intro before predictably launching into a heavied-up version of the original, which somehow excludes the “I want my MTV” hook at the end. I’m sure this is a fun song live, but the recorded version was unnecessary.
I am not completely convinced with “Chances” as well, with its poppy modern rock verses, quite insipid.

We are back on track with “Thrill of the Chase”, a masterclass in melodic instrumental metal. Its first half channels the Scorpions’ classic ‘Coast to Coast’ to excellent effect, before twisting into a tasteful guitar solo, which rides a series of quick metallic grooves.
“Big Chase,” is strong a bluesy hard rocker with some Badlands on it, while the regular CD version ends with “Last of My Kind”, a solid midtempo which brings to mind Soto (Jeff’s band, not his solo work).
Digipak bonuses are ‘Little Ain’t Enough’ – not a David Lee Roth cover but a groovy rocker with a cool rhythm, and “Aftermath” – yes you guessed it – it’s another well done instrumental showcasing Gus G. skills.

As happens with all guitar virtuosos nowadays, Gus G. try to create a ‘band sound’ for his albums. Full instrumental albums are out of fashion, reserved to icons such as Satriani or Vai.
Gus succeed for the most part in “Fearless”, a mixed bag of metallic hard rock that highlights a penchant for traditional melodic songcraft over progressive shredding. And I’d said for the most part because the “Money for Nothing” cover wasn’t necessary.
Anyway, skip that one and you have a solid rocking album, well produced with a punchy output similar to Unisonic.
Strongly Recommended

01 – Letting Go
02 – Mr. Manson
03 – Don’t Tread on Me
04 – Fearless
05 – Nothing to Say
06 – Money for Nothing
07 – Chances
08 – Thrill of the Chase
09 – Big City
10 – Last of My Kind
DIGIPAK BONUS TRACKS:
11 – Little Ain’t Enough
12 – Aftermath

Dennis Ward – vocals, bass
Gus G. – guitars
Will Hunt – drums

PRE ORDER:
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