Fear Theories-The Predator

Crime Records
2016

Fear Theories is a traditional/power metal quartet that hails from Karmøy/Haugesund (Norway) and has been active since 2010. The band is comprised of rhythm guitarist/vocalist Andreas Tjøsvoll, lead guitarist Ole Sønstabø (Einherjer, ex-Hillbilly Blitzkrieg), bassist Joakim Antonsen and drummer Brage Nygaard and sound-wise this recently-released full-length album picks up where their 2013 debut EP, "So It Begins", left off. Musically-speaking this Norwegian band is all but a reflection of their various influences which include not only bands like Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, but anyone & everyone from Halloween to (mid-period) Metallica! Speaking of the "Kill Em' All" ladies, rhythm guitarist/vocalist Andreas Tjøsvoll sometimes sounds like a beefier (and WAY tougher!) James Hetfield while other times he just sounds a bit too rough & raw.  Then again so does the overall mix on Fear Theories' first album so maybe it's not just the vocals that this Norwegian band has in common with the turds in Metallica! Just like on "...and Justice For All" you can play the game "where's the bass?" with Fear Theories' "The Predator" and for a band that lists Motörhead as one of their primary influences that just isn't good! Despite the fact that this album is being put out on Crime Records the band Fear Theories is still unsigned so poorly mixed recordings like this one are not going to help out that cause. Even so, Fear Theories is a band that I can't help but get behind. With a proper budget and the right kind of producer (ie: one that pushes this band while also playing to their strengths) this four-piece could really put out one hell of a heavy metal release. While they are not quite their in no way would I throw in the towel! All these guys need is few touch ups here and there and we could be looking at another solid Norwegian metal band! 

Fear Theories-So It Begins

Self-Release
2013

This self-produced/self-released EP comes courteous of Norway's Fear Theories. Formed in the fall of 2010, and having thus far shared the stage with the likes of Sabaton, Overkill, Eluveitie and Paradise Lost (among others), the band's EP first came across as a smoldering mix-up of traditional heavy metal, power metal and, rightfully so, thrash metal. At least that was my initial impression of "So It Begins". That first listen seemed to suggest a band well-versed in the "classics". That would be everyone and anyone, up to and including, Metallica (both older: "Kill 'Em All" and newer: the "Black Album", "Load" and "Re-Load"), Motörhead, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Anthrax, Black Label Society and Slayer. With repeated listens though you get a better grasp of what this no-frills metal act has tucked up it's sleeves. For you see, besides just looking toward the "classics" for inspiration, the group, which is lead quite effectively by guitarist/vocalist Andreas Tjøsvoll (whose rough vocal delivery seems to be only matched by his skills as a guitarist), is also able to adopt the likes of Clutch, Helmet and even Prong for their own good. So, there's actually much more then first meets the eyes when we're talking about the guys in Fear Theories. While Andreas Tjøsvoll, and his approach to the music at hand, does give the band this appealing raw/underground vibe the fact remains that he is only one man and Fear Theories, when you get right down to the gooey goodness at the heart of this Norwegian treat, is most definitely a multi-headed beast! Lead guitarist/backing vocalist Ole Sønstabø is of course worthy of mention as the fast & furious guitar solos on "So It Begins" are pure bolts of metallic lightning! Together with Andreas Tjøsvoll you end up having a pair of guitarists whose crushing riffs sizzle and crackle as if their riffs alone would be more then enough to light up the night's dimly-lite sky! And right there in that sentence is one key word that just about sums up what this 4-piece act is all about. That word is "crushing". The heavy metallic weight of "So It Begins" really is quite crushing. Although you could also just say that with this EP, which is most definitely too short for it's own good, you'll very likely walk away with a sense of heavy metal over-load. If that's even possible for heavy metal maniacs. Anyway, the rest of this gang needs mentioned as well. Håkon Sakseide (bass,backing vocals) and Brage Nygaard (drums) are, rightly-so, every bit as important as the two guitarist. United together by a love of all things heavy and loud, which is really how it should be, the four musicians of Fear Theories combine to create a heavy metal monster that comes straight out of the gate, eyes made of pure fire, and with all guns blazing! As it's only a EP you are left longing for more, but you do learn early on (in both life and in the field of heavy metal) to just take the good with the bad. I close finally with just one more all-too-important thought. How will I find room to include what, at year's end, may very well end up being another edition to my best-of list?