Since the 90s, Stefanie (vocalist) has shared her passion and absolute need for music across a few later metal bands, and now releasing the second full length album from German gothic metal band BEHIND YOUR FEAR. Gothic metal is generally recognized for dark, emotional themes and poetic lyricism which are prevalent in appropriately titled "Anthropocene"(defined as the period of time during which human activities have had an environmental impact on the Earth- definitely an emotional topic).

If this is your first time experiencing BEHIND YOUR FEAR- let me set the tone for you. Remember the band HIM? Take those melodic and melancholy instrumentals, amp up the power in the vocals and keep the catchy but well thought out hooks. While it feels like something I have heard before, it's familiar in a welcoming way that had me excited to listen through the whole album. Ringing in with aggressive guitar riffs into crashing drums to create the atmosphere of the album is opening track "One Day" that perfectly pairs the loud instrumentals with Stefanie's ethereal and distinguishable voice for a nearly icy soundscape.

The first half of the album remains energetic and full of authoritative emotion, including singles from earlier this year "The Mask" and "New Ways". "Bandaged Eyes" is next on the album and immediately the keys and drumming take me right back to the tune of "Sweet 666" by aforementioned HIM. A similar tale of sorrow in sound that is carried through the track "Little While". We get a change of pace in the back half starting with the delicate piano chimes in the final single from this album "Heartbeats", a beautiful slowed ballad true to traditional goth music. The remainder of the album keeps this slower, almost dreary feel while also adding in powerful walls of instrumentals to evoke sensations of romance and keep you interested. The final song "Lullaby" is a genius way to end such a journey of heartfelt emotion, working as a closing titles theme for this album and leaving you feeling connected to it.

What I really loved about this band and album is they don't focus on trying to have the back and forth of masculine versus femme vocals like many female fronted goth metal/rock bands. The members of the band do an incredible job harmonizing and supporting Stefanie's voice through instruments in a way that still adds so much depth to each song.