Beyond Fear
1. "Scream Machine"
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Beyond Fear (SPV Records) 2006 I remember when the rumors were flying around about the new singer of Priest. At that time I wasn't all that familiar with his former band Winters Bane. However, I received a cassette single of a song called "Bullet Train" before the "Jugulator" album was released. The first time that song ripped through my speakers all I can remember thinking was, "hell yeah! Priest are back." Ripper ruled. Not since I received that promo cassette have I had that same excitement about a new project from Owens on the first listen. Within seconds of "Scream Machine" I was thinking once again, "oh yeah! Ripper rules!" This album is chock full of songs not unlike "Bullet Train" or Priest's classic "Painkiller". This is screaming, heavy metal! Unfortunately, being in Judas Priest and Iced Earth left little space for Tim to show what he was fully capable of, when it came to writing/composing songs. Honestly, had Judas Priest released this album, instead of "Demolition" people would have been hailing it as the greatest thing they had ever done. Since this is a new solo project of Owens, it seems many metalheads are not receiving it. This is a crime as Beyond Fear might very well be the best album Ripper has let loose on yet. Ok, there are a few songs that are probably better than others. "Scream Machine", "Save Me", "The Human Race", "Telling Lies", "Words Of Wisdom", "My Last Words" and "Your Time Has Come" are probably the songs that will rip most people in two, but even less spectacular songs like "And...You Will Die" are still quite good. It's only that it is sandwiched between the ear shattering "Scream Machine" and "Save Me". If people are expecting something new and different, this CD will disappoint them. I've read some negative comments from fans that Beyond Fear are not "original." This is actually a pet peeve of mine. Why they heck does every new band or album have to be completely different from everything else out there? Most of the bands who are credited with being so "original" are doing nothing more than mixing different styles together. The fact is, if someone plays the blues, no one expects them to mix in goth and grunge with it. Why should metal be any different? Those searching for some quality, screaming, heavy metal, Beyond Fear deliver the goods. (pun intended!)