Gus G Fearless

n a world where only the best come out on top, Gus G. is one of the most respected and renowned rock metal guitarists of our time. He played the biggest stages worldwide between 2009 and 2017 as a member of superstar Ozzy Osbourne's band and enhanced Ozzy's album Scream (2010) with his amazing dexterity. In addition, Gus has been a known quantity on the melodic power metal scene as the founder and figurehead of his own group Firewind for some twenty years and can look back on eight studio albums and numerous tours so far. The third pillar of his exceptionally fruitful career is his work as a solo artist, having released his two much acclaimed albums I Am The Fire (2014) and Brand New Revolution (2015). Gus is now set to continue this successful series with Fearless. At the same time, Fearless also marks the beginning of another chapter: his new band is a power trio featuring vocalist/bassist Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69/Unisonic) and drummer Will Hunt (Evanescence, Black Label Society). The exceptional Greek-born guitarist has recorded twelve new songs with this line-up: nine vocal numbers and three instrumentals.

"Dennis and I have collaborated very closely for a number of years, he produced the current Firewind album Immortals, among other things. We're on the same musical wavelength and simply continued our cooperation after the Firewind production," Gus describes his relationship with the multitalented German-American. "I sent him demos of and ideas for my new songs and once we had enough material and started to think about vocalists, Dennis suggested recording the album as a trio. A lot of people don't realise that Dennis is not only a brilliant songwriter, bassist and producer but also an excellent singer. I immediately liked his suggestion because he's very different from Firewind and everything I've done with Ozzy." It was only a short step from Ward's suggestion to the enlistment of drummer Will Hunt. Gus: "Will was at the very top of my wish list. Fate smiled on me because we played at the Frankfurt music fair 2017 during my tour with Steve Stevens, and Will stayed at the same hotel. So I approached him, we talked for a while and he agreed. Last August he came to the studio and recorded the drum parts for the whole album within two and a half days. A real pro with a great groove and an awesome punch."

Which applies not only to Hunt and Ward, but of course also to Gus G. himself, who once again proves to be a phenomenal guitarist on Fearless, presenting technical skills which exclude all possibility of doubt and a compositional talent that allows his fellow musicians to shine. Hard-as-nails metal tracks such as the opener 'Letting Go', 'Mr Manson', which is driven by a dark bass/guitar riff, and the subsequent melodic 'Don´t Tread On Me' immediately propel the new album into the desired direction. At the same time, the three instrumental songs give listeners an idea of the outstanding talent of the 37-year-old who is easily on a par with George Lynch ('Mr. Scary') and Michael Schenker ('Into The Arena'). "A lot of fans have asked me to record more instrumental tracks. Voilà, here they are," grins Gus. Last but not least, the successful cover versions of the Dire Straits classic 'Money For Nothing', which surprises with an unusual change of key after the noteworthy intro, deserves a mention. But it's certainly not the only surprise that this amazing album holds in store!