It has always struck me as one of the most futile things in music to go solo and sound like your day job. Credit to the likes of Ginger Wildheart who – although some of his output away from the band that bears his name might be sketchy – can never be accused of making the same albums his band does when he’s on his own.
The same thing applies to Gus G. Whenever he records away from Firewind, he always seems to be pushing the boundaries of what can be expected of him. That is definitely true on “Fearless”. The aptly named collection is another new chapter. Recording this time as a trio with Will Hunt (once of White Wizard) on drums but crucially with Dennis Ward on vocals has opened yet another dynamic.
If the opening to “Letting Go” is thunderous it is most certainly not a power metal track of the type that GG is famous for, instead it is a modern metal opus which the likes of Shinedown would do well to listen to if they really want to make arena rock that is interesting.
Ward – who is famous more for his producing these days – nonetheless does a stellar shift. His thumping bass groove to “Mr Manson” propels it forward, but it is his singing that surprises more than anything.
“Don’t Tread On Me” shows everything that is great about this record perfectly. The solo from G is bang on point, Hunt is a brilliant drummer, and the song itself is faster, more aggressive and the sort of thing that Dream Theater might be proud of. It says much for this, though, that they follow this with the bluesy “Nothing To Say” which – to these ears anyway – has echoes of Richie Sambora’s brilliant debut solo record “Stranger In This Town”.
“Chances” changes the vibe again, a fists in the air exercise in soaring. It is as unashamed as it gets, while “Big City” is perhaps the most surprising of all. A sleazy thing with a massive, dirty groove, it reveals another side you didn’t think it’d have.
And if “Fearless” closes with “Last Of My Kind” a bombastic so and so that has a hint of Symphony X about it, then there are three other tracks that need discussion. Not least is the cover of “Money For Nothing” that shows a great song is a great song however it’s done – and make no mistake they’ve found another side to it here.
But probably it is the two instrumentals that might get the most attention, and certainly both the title track and “Thrill Of The Chase” will have muso’s salivating. Gus G is a wonderful talent and he shows it here, both on the screech of the former and the AOR stylings of the latter.
We already knew he could play like a proper guitar god. What we didn’t know, perhaps was that he – and his new band – could write songs so distinct from Firewind. It’s amazing what you can do when you have no fear.
Rating 8/10
