Hello hello folks! First just let me say thank you for taking the time to read my review. Today we will be reviewing "This Fear", the brand new full length release from UZZIEL, a Thrash Metal band from Austria. At least that's what their bio says. I don't think I'd quite call them a Thrash Metal band though. There's plenty of Thrash elements found in their music, but they also have this soft vocal, metal - core thing going on through out. Anyway, let's dig in and see what it's all about.

Track one, "Beyond The Funfair" is just a silly introduction to the band made to sound like an announcer at some time of funfair. I didn't really know what to think of it at first. It doesn't last long though and then its straight to the thrash with track two, "Acid Rain". Starting out with a tight little lead lick that almost has a punk feeling, Mex's Vocals harsh and abrasive and then it happens, I hear the backing vocals for the first time. A soft, high pitched voice backs the chorus. "What the hell is this I think to myself". Not knowing what to make of it, I listen further. The song has everything I like, tight riffs, a ripping solo, abrasive barking Vocals, but the soft choir like backing Vocals I'm not so sure I can get behind. Track three, "Dark Moments" starts out fast and hard with relentlessly pounding drums and a tight rhythm riff. Then quickly changes pace to a slower chunky tempo. A little more the half way through they change up again for a second with clean tone arpeggios before finishing off with melodic  little solo. A great track for sure. Track four, "This Fear".

I love how this song starts out. I really cool little lead lick what sounds like some very slight wah pedal. Another great track but all through out is the ever so soft Backing vocals then just ruin it for me. Now please keep in mind this is strictly my personal opinion. Their song writing capabilities are exceptional and they are extremely talented. I cant get past the soft backing vocals however. Track five, "Final Solution" starts out much like the last, a tight lead kick followed by bone crushing riffs. Around the half way point of the song it changes up and goes into a melodic clean tone section which almost reminded me of METALLICA'S "Master Of Puppets" which paved the way for a scorching solo to close out the song. A lot of musical diversity on this one. Track six, "Fading" has a great tempo that will surely inspire a slight back and forth nod of the cranial cavity and some great guitar work, but and, they return to the soft backing vocal for choruses which does seem to fit right to me.

There's no doubt about it, "This Fear" is an exceptional album. UZZIEL is a very talented group and their knowledge of music and song writing capabilities are proven ten fold. As for the backing vocal thing, its merely personal taste. UZZIEL pulls their influence all corners of the musical universe.  You will find this album is packed full of several different genres of Metal, Classical and even Jazz. I wish UZZIEL much success in the future.