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First Signal: Face Your Fears

Melodic Hard Rock

4.5/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 14.02.2023 | Released: 17.02.2023

With his First Signal project, Canadian vocalist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Harry Hess (also Harem Scarem) has been on a roll with a consistent output since 2016's One Step Over The Line. Moreover his last First Signal album, closer To The Edge, dropped only ten months ago. Apparently, the talented artist had some more songs stewing in his mind. Hess returns with his fifth First Signal album, Face Your Fears.

Harry Hess

Perhaps, the first (no pun intended) thing to be mentioned about this new album is that Swedish producer/drummer Daniel Flores (The Murder Of My Sweet, Find Me) is not involved (or apparently not). Face Your Fears finds Hess steering the ship with a crew of Italian studio musicians likely from the Frontiers Music stable. Now matter. What remains is Hess' reputation with First Signal is classic melodic hard rock, perhaps with a metal edge, yet still wrapped in an AOR blanket.

Considering the songs, you'll find some heavier more melodic metal rock with Situation Critical, Face Your Fears, Never Be Silenced, or Unbreakable. But you will still hear Hess' natural inclination for AOR accessibility with Always Be There, perhaps Rain On Your Roses, but definitely with the anthem, In The Name Of Love. Yet, returning to the rock, Shoot The Bullet and Dominoes are simply fast and heavier tunes that kick out the jams. All said, First Signal's latest, Face Your Fears, finds principal player Harry Hess delivering another satisfying and enjoyable platter of his punchy, bit metal-infused, melodic hard rock led by his strong vocal presence. Easily recommended.

Support the Artist & Dangerdog Music Reviews: This title is available, with unlimited streaming, via an Amazon Music account.

First Signal's latest, Face Your Fears, finds principal player Harry Hess delivering another satisfying and enjoyable platter of his punchy, bit metal-infused, melodic hard rock led by his strong vocal presence. Easily recommended.

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We haven't had a new studio album from Brazil's Angra since prior to the COVID pandemic, 2018's Omni. But the quintet has been busy. In 2021, they released Omni Live in Japan where they have a huge fan base ... [ Read More ]

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