The production of this album is fantastic from start to finish. The album’s splendid cover art evokes well the overall feel of the music. The mix is nice and guitar-heavy, the sound is never muddy, and no one instrument dominates. Perhaps, at a few points, the lead vocals could have been further forward, like the chorus of “Requiescat.”
No Need To Mention Gender
The discussion of gender should be finished quickly here. Unlike other female metal singers, Eva Markvartova is not just a pretty face. She’s not trying to advertise the fact that she’s a woman—she’s just singing, and without a shred of pretense to anything else. She doesn’t always hit the notes, but she sells the message, which is much more important than having letter-perfect technique. Eva isn’t the only talented vocalist on this album, as bassist Olaf delivers clear, understated lead vocals on “Lost Race” and “Requiescat”.
The other musicians aren’t there to provide Eva with a showcase; they stand upon their own merits and contribute well. Honza Cinert plays well-placed keyboard parts that rarely overpower—an increasing rarity in this genre. Guitarists Pepa Fiser and Tom Matula crunch away in lockstep with the drummer, Vlada Solin. The guitar solos are well-placed and never over-the-top. That being said, the descriptor “Female-Fronted Power Metal” is hardly necessary, because Evarest doesn’t need sex appeal to sell their music.
Thirteen Strong Tracks
The thirteen tracks consist of mostly Euro-style doublebass speed metal, with a few exceptions. All told, there is a good deal of variety in each song. Dynamic variation, key changes, and stop-start passages are used to good effect throughout. Lyrically, this album strides over well-travelled territory, being largely about battles, heroes, death, insanity, and struggle.
The album begins with a triumphant intro, then kicks into gear with the speedy “Searching For Lost Times.” Following this up is the title tracks, which hammers home a 6/8 groove and has a haunting vocal melody during the verses. These Czechs continue to deliver in spades, with doublebass punishers like “Lost Race”, “Hero’s Fate” (Which sports a great Helloween-esque intro), and “River of Death.”
And then there’s the ballad. “For Goddamned Love” is a very poppy song, but it isn’t laden with sugary keyboards or overdramatized vocals. However, it is well-put together and has a very catchy guitar melody that permeates the song. It was the one that was skipped, because the resolute anthem “Hero’s Fate” is next, and is one of the better songs on the album.
“Go Away!” is a goofy mid-paced rocker with a distinct major-key 1980s feel, which deals with a foe of a different kind: a crummy relationship.
“Victory” is a solid instrumental in which the band’s penchant for writing memorable melodies is displayed. It does little for the album as a whole, as it is a solemn note ending a collection of upbeat songs.
A Strong Debut Album
Despite its shortcomings, “Fear” is what a power metal album should be: not slick or poppy; but tough, endearing, and completely honest. Evarest’s debut effort could be one of the better new power metal albums to come around in a while. It’s nothing we’ve never heard before in a myriad of forms, but a tasty slice of power metal for power metal fans, who will not be disappointed by it.
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