Beyond Fear

Beyond Fear | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 9, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Steamhammer / SPV
• ASIN: B000EOUTZI
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,860 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens is without doubt among the most important metal vocalists of the past ten years. When he succeeded Rob Halford, joining Judas Priest in May 1996, the press rubbed their eyes, surprised as well as impressed. Owens had previously been a fairly unknown quantity to international music journalists but recorded his first Priest album, Jugulator, with more aplomb than even insiders had expected. Following successful tours with the British metal legends, the strong studio recording, Demolition (2001), and the live recordings, Meltdown - 98 Live (1998) and Live In London (2003), Halford’s return put an end to Owens’ stint with Judas Priest. More or less immediately, he was enlisted by Jon Schaffer to team up with Iced Earth and sang on The Glorious Burdon in spring 2004. Yet there was never any doubt in Owens’ mind that he wanted to release an album featuring his own material as soon as possible. He now carries out his ambitious plan with Beyond Fear, the debut by his same-named new band. "I didn’t feel like a solo recording, I’d much rather perform my songs with a permanent band. That’s how Beyond Fear came about."

Ripper Owens composed seven of the fourteen tracks on Beyond Fear, the remaining seven were penned together with guitarist John Comprix and complement Owens material perfectly. "There’s a whole number of tracks that I’m really proud of," comments Owens, referring to songs such as Save Me, Coming At You and My Last Words in particular, which he wrote himself on guitar. "I may not be a wonderful guitarist," he confesses, "but I’m capable of working out my musical ideas on the guitar to such an extent that people like them." In terms of lyrics, Owens has succeeded in landing an instant classic in Dreams Come True, describing himself and his life so far. Scream Machine, on the other hand, is a title that continues the Priest tradition of martial metal lyrics. "It’s about a metal machine, a metal monster, and shows where my influences come from. This number is in the style of albums such as Painkiller and would, in my opinion, also have suited Jugulator. It was the last track I composed for Beyond Fear And… You Will Die, which, according to Owens, "reflects the stylistic direction of the album more than any other song. There are high vocals, but also passages sung in deep voices, plus haunting guitars with an unmistakeable metal orientation".

The debut was recorded at the legendary Morrisound studios in Tampa, Florida, under the direction of producer Jim Morris - a definite quality feature when it comes to the album’s sound and dynamics, particularly as Morris understood and translated the compositional concept perfectly. "I’ve matured, especially in terms of my songwriting," Owens analyses the past decade. "I compose songs that the fans understand and that they can shake their hair to."

Product Description

BEYOND FEAR BEYOND FEAR

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Given up on metal? Beyond Fear to the rescue!, August 18, 2006

By 

Ghost of Metal Past (Circle Pines, MN United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beyond Fear (Audio CD)

A few of the 80s warhorses are still putting out quality product, but how many times have you wondered if there is a new band out there that you could get into? I know I've taken a chance on quite a few new (not 'nu') metal bands that left me $15.00 poorer but not much else. Most of the time the music seems promising and then the 'vocals' kick in. I guess they are supposed to sound evil but all I can think of is General Grievous (Star Wars Episode III). It's cartoonish - plain and simple.

I recently read an interview with Ripper Owens on the Web and found out he had his own outfit, Beyond Fear, on tour in Europe. I looked it up and listened to a few clips that sounded promising. Bought it the next day. Yes! I finally found it. A fresh sounding new band with excellent vocals. Get this CD if you want real metal without cookie monster or General Grievous ruining the experience.

I give it 4 stars because there are a couple weak tracks but the good material is not merely good - it's sublime! Scream Machine and Human Race are two of the best songs I have heard in 15 years. No lie. This project deserves to succeed. I've never heard of the other guys in the band but they are pretty hot players. Ripper, if he want to, can safely put the spectre of Priest and Iced Earth behind him. His new band is too good.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME!!, July 1, 2006

By 

Kenneth Newby (Phoenix, AZ, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beyond Fear (Audio CD)

As a metal maniac growing up in the 80's and watching power metal fade in the 90's and nearly disappear in the 2000's, replaced by a boatload of junk that they call "metal", Beyond Fear is a refreshing and powerfully moving change. It's nice to see some of the 80's style power metal return with today's technology.

If you have an ounce grass-roots power metal blood left in your veins, Beyond Fear will give you a much-needed rush and will leave you begging for more. Even my metal-head 10 & 7 year old boys love this album. (What a proud dad I am!!)

The Bottom Line: This is a must-have album to any metal collection. ROCK ON BEYOND FEAR!!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ripper Rips it wide open, August 15, 2006

By 

Dell S. Wade "There can be only one - The Kurgen" (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beyond Fear (Audio CD)

When I first heard the Priest Jugulator album and then the Live Meltdown, I was sold totally on Ripper.

With Jugulator he proved that he could sing every note that The Metal God himself could hit and then those even higher and those lower. Priest had a much heavier sound and it was an a sound that I embraced even being a Halford's Priest from the late 1970's.

With beyond Fear, Ripper shows that he does not need Priest to do what he is capable of doing.

To me this album is better than even the Iced Earth: Gettysburg CD. This CD is a full on in your face, ram it down your throat to what metal was and should be.

Ripper has surrounded himself with 4 other highly talented musicians and together they have created a CD that I can truly bang my head to and make my neighbor's ears bleed.

While I would not classify it as Thrash as I have heard some call it, the music and sound are fast, furious and brutal.

While Halford may be the Metal God, but Ripper is the Metal Messiah, delivering the word and the goods