A renowned master of the axe, Greek Guitarist Gus G. impressed Hard Rock/Heavy Metal loyalists by way of his first two solo efforts, 2014’s I Am the Fire and 2015’s Brand New Revolution. Ready to offer fans a third songbook of big arena Rock hymns, Gus G. will return on Friday, April 20, 2018 with his latest solo album, Fearless, through AFM Records.
Internationally, for the better part of twenty years, Gus G. was well known for being a founding member of Power Metal band Firewind, for whom the guitar wizard still shreds to this day. But as Heavy Metal fans may remember, following the departure of Zakk Wylde from Ozzy Osbourne’s band, Gus G. was first introduced in America upon his debut as Osbourne’s lead guitarist on the 2010 album Scream. Having joined forces with the Prince of Darkness, Gus G. spent the better part of the last eight years splitting his time between touring with Osbourne while performing and releasing new music with Firewind. Then, in the spring of 2017, Osbourne announced he respectfully parted ways with Gus G. to make way for Wylde’s return, as Osbourne prepares for his 2018 farewell tour, the No More Tours 2 tour.
Today, with a global fanbase, Gus G. has set his sights higher than ever, as Fearless is conceived from a primal scream of daring, unabashed guitar riffs. 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 of German Hard Rock/Heavy Metal band Pink Cream 69 and Drummer Will Hunt of Evanescence.
Hot off the presses, Fearless comes to life via the assaulting double bass drums of the album opener “Letting Go,” where Gus G. files away the past and rips into the future. Perhaps taking a page out of Ozzy’s diary (“Mr. Crowley”, “Mr. Tinkertrain”), Gus G. presents the haunting and driving melodies of “Mr. Manson” where Ward’s vocals pair well with the slow heaviness of the song’s dark arrangement. “Don’t Tread On Me” comes on strong holding anthemic tendencies and aggressive substance commanding respect in every which way.
Next, the ballad “Nothing To Say” is what happens when another guy gets your girl before Gus G. recreates the 1980’s classic “Money For Nothing.” Originally performed by, newly inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, Dire Straits, Gus G. turns the former MTV hit into an all out Heavy Metal concoction for the 21st Century, even changing the original lyrics – from “We gotta move these color TV’s” to “We gotta move these LCD’s.”
Thereafter, a groovy “Chances” will reassure the listener’s faith in the adventure of opportunity as the flashy Arena Rock celebration of “Big City” paints the picture of thousands of concertgoers with their hands in the air. Not to be forgotten, Fearless offers up two instrumentals, “Fearless” and “Thrill Of The Chase,” a pair of conniving tracks exhibiting Gus G.’s supreme talent for storming up and down the neck of his favorite ESP Electric Guitars. “Last Of My Kind” is pained by an intense desire to reach an unwritten outcome as Fearless draws to a close in dramatic fashion.
All this said, without a doubt, Gus G. fans will be extremely pleased with the broad musical strength of Fearless. A step up from the albums predecessors, Fearless displays Gus G.’s ability to take his art to the next level with tighter songwriting and one consistent voice in Ward to drive home a collection of quintessential Rock cuts. A must listen, go check out Fearless by Gus G. and be sure to crank it up to eleven. Because it rocks hard, CrypticRock gives Fearless 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Purchase Fearless:
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