Search - Fear Before :: Fear Before (Dig)

A Stranger Stranger

Luke Rounda | Lawrence, KS | 11/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Art damaged fretboard arsonists Fear Before the March of Flames have always been an odd beast. Their wild-eyed and bloodthirsty records travel in pairs.



In the mood for screamo? Look up their fame inducing Odd How People Shake. Just don't expect "On the Brightside, She Could Choke," that record's scene kid approved favorite, to be on their live setlist ever again.



If Odd How... isn't abrasive enough, the raw meat, jet turbine squall of the bordering-on-unlistenable, but appropriately titled Art Damage surely shall be.



For better or worse, Fear Before have never been afraid to piss into the wind, or upon less open-minded fans. 2006 was the year that saw them prove it. A far cry from those early ventures, the everything but the kitchen sink, industrial/electronica experimentation of The Always Open Mouth saw to it that these Colorado natives were henceforth counted among a tiny handful of bands that consistently reinvent themselves for every record.



"There's nothing stranger than a stranger," they're quick to tell us. Lately, their music has metamorphosized from creepy-crawly, "quick, smash it before it touches me" scene hardcore into something melodic, yet noisy, and above all, unclassifiable.



The Always Open Mouth bartered Fear Before's abrasive heaviness for sonic density, yielding a crop of songs which sound ferocious on record, but pose problems to recreate in a live context. Here, brevity acts as the sugar to help the medicine go down. As long as you don't miss the March of Flames of yesteryear, Fear Before is their greatest and most easily-swallowed record yet.



Clocked at under 40 minutes, everything's shorter on Fear Before, right down to the band's officially truncated name. And it's tighter, too. Hooks immediately dig in deep when "Tree Man" lunges for the jugular with its spooky vocalizations and palm-muted rundowns. "I'm Fine Today" pits gothic wails against a battering ram guitar chug, and "Fear Before Doesn't Listen To People Who Don't Like Them" opens with the sputtering, desperate heart murmur of an amplifier at breaking point, then descends into passages that concoct imagery of Adam Fisher strumming helicopter blades instead of guitar strings.



Mostly quiet (mostly) "Jabberwocky" plays like "Absolute Future Pt. 2," a complete departure from the band's earlier works, sinister and comfortable in its eerily sparse arrangement. But wait! Noise mavens, never fear! Fear Before still dabble in discord, as on the closing "Review Our Lives (Epic)." A mashed-up wall of Marshall stacks, and the off-kilter duet of guitarist Fisher and singer David Marion's voices, clear the way for lonely trem-picked sirens. The song descends into deconstructed sludge riffs and implodes, concluding the record in a soup of Satanic noise.



If their track record is any indication, Fear Before's next record (2010's self-titled Fear, perhaps?) will bear even less resemblance to the cookie cutter, wrist-slicer screamo of their past... and probably won't sound anything like this, either. They don't care what you or I think. So, enjoy their newfound love of metal/noise-pop while you can, on this and on The Always Open Mouth. Knowing them, it's sure to be fleeting."

I am honored to be the first to review this masterpeice

Benjamin W. Bisconer | 10/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Fear Before has taken a new turn in music, creating something very different not only from their work, but from music in general.



This album may sound strange at first, a combination of catchy rhythms and creepy undertones. But after a few listens, the epic and emotional sonic climaxes are inescapable, and the things that seemed strange will progressively sound better and better with each listen. You will be very glad you bought this CD.



There is a-lot more singing from David compared to previous albums, and his distinct voice compliments the music perfectly.



This CD does not feature artwork from Brandon, rather a friend of the band who helped create the "Taking Cassandra to the End of the World Party" video designed the artwork.



If you decide to buy this CD, prepare your mind to stretch and experience a whole new type of music, a very rich sound and beautifully put together album. Each song is magnificently written as well as played. There are no filler songs, only the bands favorite songs made it to this album.



This CD has already and will continue to create brand new fans that otherwise could not appreciate Fear Before's talents.



If you enjoy Fear Before's musical talent despite what 'type' of music they happen to be playing, you will thoroughly enjoy this album.



I love all their previous albums, and this album is a worthy addition to their already outstanding and diverse collection.



I realized that if people don't like it, it is because they cannot keep up with the amazing progress this band is making,



or they make the mistake of comparing it to their previous albums (which is about as useful as comparing apples to oranges).



Yes it is different, but it is also fantastic!"

An intriguing and rivaling work

Craig | Ca | 10/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To properly review this album, or even listen to this album for that matter, one should throw out everything they know or think they know about music.



This album is filled with a whole lot of weird; something Fear Before have found a magnificent and creative way to convey to you and me. Much like on their previous album The Always Open Mouth, this album carves out its own little niche in a scene overcrowded with generic fluff. Having the guts to go for something this unique is what makes this band so incredible.



I couldn't agree more with the (1) other reviewer, and I really hope this album catches the ears of those willing to expand and grow with it. Hence the plant on the front cover? Who knows.

I find it sad and almost tragic that the best music being made today goes relatively unnoticed. Most people will never hear of this band.



In the end, this album is another "grower", just like TAOM. The guitars are beautifully layed. The melodies are complex and at times, confusing. The drums are much more "full" sounding (versus TOAM) to give this album a much more cohesive flow. The vocals are beautifully weird (haha) and the subject matter can be confusing at times. That sums up a just about perfect album for me. 10/10 (or i guess 5/5)"