“Fear No Evil” is the fourth studio
album by English Heavy Metal band Quartz and is being released on
October 28th 2016 via High Roller Records. Quartz for the
longest time have been one of those bands that I heard about but
never experienced enough of. Even though they are considered part of
my favorite era of music, The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal, like
many English metal bands, they actually predate the genre by a few
years when they released their self titled debut in 1977. This album
was pretty heavy for its time and they actually had some sort of
underground success when they released “Stand Up and Fight” in
1980 which many consider to be their most classic album. Next they
released the bit more commercial sounding but equally heavy “Against
All Odds” in 1983 before unfortunately fading away. Most people
know Quartz for being the band Geoff Nicolls of Black Sabbath fame
had been in (and also sings on a few songs on this album as well) but they a lot more to them than meets the eye and with
Fear No Evil, this is no exception.
Track Rundown
1.Fear No Evil-Opening with some
ominous keyboards, the album definitely starts with a strong number
with some Sabbathy vibes to it and the keyboards behind the galloping
riffs really adds to the atmosphere as well. Their new singer David
Garner has a very nice and melodic voice and fits with the band very
well. The chorus to this song is extremely catchy as well and if you
can find live footage online, I suggest checking it out because this
song is prime NWOBHM reborn!
2.Rock Bottom- This song has a very
Deep Purple or UFO vibe to with its infectious main riff and Nicholls sounds a bit like Ian Gillan at times as well. Damn good tune with
another catchy chorus and a kickass solo as well.
3.The Stalker- This song is a bit more
mid paced and has some good riffs to it I could see this one being a
good tune to hear live it definitely is more on the bluesy side. I
like the more ominous moments it almost sounds like a song Dio could
have written. Definitely one of the more atmospheric tracks on the
album.
4.Rapture- I love the keyboards all
over this album it just screams the eighties to me but adds a whole
layer of atmosphere which serves as a nice short prelude to the next
song.
5.Zombie Resurrection- This song is
definitely more of a fist pounding tune that is pretty catchy as
well. There is a modern Sabbath feel as well that I dig. A good heavy
mid paced song with some really cool melodic moments as well that
really explodes toward the end as well definitely the highlight on
the album it really offers a lot of variety and a lot of great heavy
riffs.
6.Barren Land- Another short prelude to
the next song and actually my favorite short instrumental piece on
the album!
7.Walking On Holy Water- This song
reminds me of Metallica's “Welcome Home(Sanitarium)” but doesn't
come off as a rip off because Quartz really make it their own song. Geoff Nicholls sounds extremely good here too. This is a straight up heavy metal tune with an awesome epic chorus as
well.
8.Dangerous Game- This song has more of
that classic NWOBHM sound to it and is another one of my favorites on
the album as well. The production really gives every component of the
band to shine and is really raw yet sharp and is very well balanced.
A really straight forward Heavy Metal song with a lot of catchy hooks
to it.
9.Born To Rock The Nation- This song
would be the best candidate for being a single to the album. It
definitely has the straight eighties feel in the lyrics which are
very easy to sing along to and I feel this song would work well live.
One of the heaviest songs here as well with some nice heavy riff
gallops during the verses. Damn good head banging song.
10.Riot In The City- I really like the
melodies on this song, it almost boarders on power metal at times.
This definitely has a bit more commercial feel to it or at least what
used to be considered commercial but that isn't necessarily a bad
thing. The chorus is fairly strong with some nice backup vocals
coming in. A good bit of a pace changer I dig it. One of the best
songs on the album.
11.Dead Man's World- This song opens
with some nice bass soloing which leads very smoothly into the main
riff of the song. This song is another heavy hitter with a lot more
of a lower tuned tone to it. Again this song is just pure early
eighties Heavy Metal and these guys are still doing it well.
12.Scream At The Devil- This is easily
one of the catchiest songs on the album with a good balance in
heaviness and a sense of melody as well. The chorus is pretty damn
catchy as well and overall I think this song is a good closer to a
fairly strong heavy metal album this far into 2016.
Overall, I give this album an 8.1 out
of 10. With all of the NWOBHM bands making a comeback this year, I
think this album is hitting at the perfect time and Quartz are ripe
for being one of the bands to come back. This album is very catchy,
very heavy, and will keep you interested all the way to the last
note. Like I said in my review of Grim Reapers newest album, It may
not be groundbreaking but it is sure to be an album that blows your
eardrums off. Now to go grab this sucker on vinyl...
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