Facing Fear - Ana Jansen

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Brazil was one of the first countries where the Old School Metal invasion showed its talons back in the end of the 90’s. But as always, there are many bands that are just copying what was already done in the 80’s, but there are some good names that take those sets of old musical clichés and create something really good. That’s the case of the quartet FACING FEAR, from Rio de Janeiro. After causing a roar in the scene with their EP “Lutaremos pelo Metal”, here they are with their first full length, “Ana Jansen”.

Their music is based on a blend of influences of JUDAS PRIEST and IRON MAIDEN on their earlier works, but getting some remains from NWOBHM sonority. The result is far from being something unprecedented (it’s not what Old School Heavy Metal bands want to do with their music), but it’s really very good, showing very good melodies (that are easy to understand, an inheritance from NWOBHM blend of traditional Heavy Metal with Hard Rock from the 70’s), simple and solid instrumental work and good vocals (that reminds a mix between Rob Halford with LIVING DEATH’s Thorsten Bergmann, but that can become better). Yes, they’re pretty good.

The band produced the album itself, having a helping hand from the hands of Luke D. Couto on the mixing. It’s not perfect, because they tried to emulate the old sonority from the 80’s, with that crudeness on the sound quality that doesn’t fit on their musical work. But the idea of using the simplest instrumental tunes was something really good, because it has a “live” feeling permeating their songs. It’s not a loss, it’s good, but could be better, and their music deserves such thing. Maybe a helping hand from Pirozzi brothers or from Daniel Escobar can help the band on the next time.

Musically, the band is really near the right maturing point. There are 10 very good songs that really can get the fans at the first hearing, as can be heard on the raw power of “Hell’s Killer” (fine guitar riffs and amazing energy rush), the excellent tempos of “Tragedy/The Lonely Soldier” (a simple rhythm using a solid work of bass guitar and drums, but the lovely energy that comes from the riffs is really amazing) and of “Until the End” (very good vocals and backing vocals), the sharp melodies of “Run for My Life” and of “War of Lies”, and the iconic “We Are Facing Fear” (some influences from earlier German Heavy Metal, like ACCEPT on “Breaker” era, is presented on the melodies and harmonic construction of this song) are the ones where their musical potential becomes clear.

“Ana Jansen” is a very good album, indeed, and FACING FEAR has a lot of to say. Hear it and check it out!

Originality: 6
Songwriting: 9
Memorability: 9
Production: 7