Back in 1991 Love Life released their one and only album GOODBYE LADY JANE. Fast forward to 1993 and now known as Fear Not they put out a self-titled album on Dino and John Elefante's Pakaderm Records. Group members were vocalist Larry Worley, Gary Hanson, Rod Romero, and new addition Chris Sorensen. In 2017 Roxx Records re-issued the album. The glossy CD booklet includes a good interview with Larry Worley.
Starting things off is 'Give It Up', a hard rockin' song of spiritual invitation: "Give it up, you can't run away/Today's tomorrow's yesterday/If you want to save your soul/You've got to let it go/Give it up, pain is not a crime/If your heart is doing time/And you want to set it free/You have to give it up". 'We Have A God' has a terrific electric guitar solo and truly rocks. It shares good news: "We found a love straight from the top/And it's coming down/Ain't going to stop/Yes, we have a God and His Name is Jesus/Yes, we have a God and His Name is Jesus, yeah, yeah".
'Mr. Compromise' calls for an individual to make a decision for Christ: "Hey, Mr. Compromise/I'm sick of your life/Oh, you've got to believe, you've got to believe/What your heart says (2X)/Stop living a lie and stand on your feet/And know just what, what you believe in". 'Til the End of My Days' is a good rock love ballad: "Now the lonely days are over/And all my dreams I'll share with you/Well, this life won't last forever/But forever I'll be with you".
What follows is the album's longest track at just shy of six minutes long. 'Suicide Sunshine' is a rock ballad encouraging an addict not to take their life: "Your bloodshot eyes and all the lies/Show pain and misery/Just open up your tainted heart/And mercy will set you free tonight.../You've got to fall down on your knees/All you've got to say is please/Don't throw your soul away". 'Money Money' brings the metal and speaks out against greed: "Money money/You can't buy what you get for free/Money money/You don't need no material things/Money, money/You are all I need/Picking up all the pieces/Your love has taken hold/Now I know I'm ready to give to You/Every little bit of my soul".
'Easy Come Easy Go' is a down to earth story song: "Johnny's been a rebel ever since he was five/Spent his life running around, trying to survive/Susie was a dancer on the wrong side of town/Anything goes when they lay their money down". 'There is Love' speaks of life transformation: "Hey, you've got to come to understand/It don't take much to be a different man/There is love/Find room in your heart/Don't run away/There is love". This track sizzles!
'Mad World' is a fast paced rock song that shares problems and offers a sure solution: "Where are the answers to the problems of today?/Bullets fly/A mother cries as the innocent one lies face down on the ground/Burning buildings light the sky/The streets are cold and empty all around.../God is the answer, that's all/That's what this world needs". Last up on the original album is 'Take A Hold'. It's got an acoustic ballad feel to it. It addresses God directly: "Give Your love to me tonight/Hear what I'm saying/Lord, won't You turn my wrong to right/Is what I'm praying/Well, I found out just what it takes to heal this heart of mine/It's Your warm embrace that I feel time after time/And I don't know why I can't resist this love inside".
The 2017 remastered version of the album contains two bonus tracks. 'You Got Love' is from Liberty N Justice's ep LIFE SONGS and asks: "Hey, you got love/But does Love have you?" 'Love is Alright' is a previously unreleased track recorded for this 25th anniversary release of the album. It's a meaty rock cut that finds someone submitting to God: "My heart is opened wide/Why don't You come inside?/Love is alright/Free me tonight/Love is alright/Save me tonight".
FEAR NOT is a memorable hard rock/heavy metal effort. There's a good mix of faster songs and slower ones. Larry Worley's lead vocals have a bite to them that you won't easily tire of. The main theme of the album is that of inviting the lost to come to or to come back to Jesus Christ and enjoy His love and protection. There are songs testifying of God's goodness. Suicide and materialism are spoken out against. If you enjoy Bride and/or Guns N' Roses, you'll eat this album, which I'm rating 98%, up! For more info visit www.roxxproductions.com and connect with the band on social media.