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Fearless

    
       
       
       
     
             
Gus G. is a Greek born metal & rock guitarist, founding his own band Firewind in 1998, with the bands debut album emerging in 2002. Six more studio albums were released over the next ten years, with the band going on indefinite hiatus in 2013, and Gus launched his solo career the following year with the release of 'I Am The Fire'. A second solo album 'Brand New Revolution', emerged in 2015, with his band Firewind entering the studio in 2016 to record their eighth album, 'Immortals' which was released in 2017. Gus is one of metals most respected and renowned guitarists, joining the Ozzy Osbourne band as lead guitarist for Ozzy's 2010 album 'Scream'. Gus has also been a member of Dream Evil, Mystic Prophecy and Nightrage, and featured as a guest for many other bands (too many to mention here, but bands) such as Rotting Christ, Arch Enemy and Kamelot. 2018 will see Gus release his third solo album 'Fearless', featuring vocalist/bassist Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69/Unisonic) and drummer Will Hunt (Evanescence/Black Label Society).    
             
'Fearless' features ten songs across forty five minutes, nine new songs, of which two are instrumentals, and one exceptionally awesome cover song, more about that later... For now, for fans of melodic heavy metal with leanings towards the genres of power, anthemic and hard rock, this album is a must have addition to your collection. Gus excels in delivering infectious grooves and catchy melodies that will have you hooked from the off. The power trio launch the album in a blaze of buzzing guitar riffs and pulsating rhythms. 'Letting Go' is an immediate like and sets the tone for the album. The chunky and punchy 'Mr. Manson' foot stomps its way into sight and is a savage barrage of raucous riffs as it marches by. An anthemic style chorus is addictive and will have everyone chanting in unison "Mr. Manson" at the tops of their voices. 'Don't Tread On Me' picks up the tempo and thunders along with energy and intensity, swaying from all out "foot on the monitor" pace to a foot stomping mid tempo thud. Highly addictive, 'Don't Tread On Me' is the catchiest song on the album.    
             
The title song 'Fearless' is the first of the two instrumentals and displays the musicianship of the band to the full. Energetic and infectious, 'Fearless' is a sparkling guitar led romp that will keep your attention from start to finish. With its much more mellow vibe, 'Nothing To Say' gently glides in, displaying every trait associated with power ballad territory. A little too heavy to raise your lighters to, 'Nothing To Say' is a top drawer melodic power ballad. Now, for those of us that are old enough to remember when the original was released, the cover song that Gus delivers is immediately recognisable as one of the most iconic songs in the history of eighties rock. 1985 was the year, fifteen years young I was, and entering my final year of senior school, when UK rock band Dire Straits released 'Money For Nothing', featuring the groundbreaking music video, that utilised computer human animations for the first time. Gus has kept the pace and vibe of his version close to the original, mastering that iconic riff perfectly. Some of the lyrics have been amended for the modern era, but unless you know the original, you would never notice.    
             
Hard hitting melodic hard rock takes front and centre as 'Chances' romps in and batters the listener with some savage guitar riffing. Gus G. has most definitely found the perfect balance between the hard rock and heavy metal genres, straddling their borders with ease. The second of the two instrumentals 'Thrill Of The Chase', comes to life and is a sharp edged melodic hard rock romp. Clean and clear guitars lead the way as 'Thrill Of The Chase' forays its way forth. Of the two instrumentals on offer, this is the lighter of the two, but loses absolutely nothing of the albums hard edged tone. 'Big City' swaggers in all bold and brash, bringing a touch of the Southern rock style to the album. Big riffing and hard hitting, 'Big City' is monolithic in appearance, towering over everything in its path as it strides majestically on. The album closes with the AOR tinted 'Last Of My Kind'. Second only to the earlier power ballad in terms of lightness, 'Last Of My Kind' features the awesome buzz style guitar sound. Gus G. has proven with his third solo album that he is a major force in the worldwide hard rock and heavy metal genres.    
             
Overall, a perfect blend of hard rock and heavy metal, Gus G. has delivered a cracking collection of infectious and addictive songs.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for BJF Media    
             
Review is also featured at Metal Gods TV    
             
             
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