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Reviews - Fear Inside EP by Madgirl ‘Fear
Inside’ EP Area 54 ( 1998)
Independent release
In
an age before ‘Madgirl’ was born– and far before the line up arrived
at the perfection that it is now, an unsigned band from Ilford released a
6 track EP called 'Fear Inside’. Some of the tracks are early
versions of those now available on the album ‘No Visible Scars’ and
some are simple genius of a younger Mr Kyriacou, that are available here
only. The
line up for the majority of the EP is Lakis Kyriacou (guitar and vocals)
Jeremy Gray (guitar) Glenn Abel (Bass) and Dan Foord ( Drums). Laura and
Rob joined after the EP had been recorded (though Laura appears here in
another role) and well, as for Steve, he was just a twinkle in Lakis’
eye. Encased
in a wrapping that shows the alien influence, comes 6 great tracks, 4 of
which were then included on the debut album ‘No Visible Scars’, in
more mature forms. These are rocking their usual way, just in a slightly
different manner. The
early versions on here are ‘The face of all your Fears’,
‘Overload’, ‘Missing Time’ and ‘Futile Dream’. Some people
might think that because this EP was released a long time ago, its gonna
suck. But that’s far from true. I was unsure what to expect when I first
clapped my ears round it but I was most truly pleased (and very excited)
by it. This was the first real recording experience that they had, and
it’s actually a damn fine release. Other than the odd lyric here and
there, there are few differences, although its very clear just how the
band have been able to perfect what was already rocking to begin with. The
main difference in ‘Face of all your fears’ is the ending, which was
added to during the recording of NVS, and the version of ‘Missing
Time’ is slightly slower. The vocals have also definitely improved. Not
because they are at all on this, but simply, age, practice and experience
have allowed Lakis to improve not only his vocal talents but also his
guitar skills, and he has taken them both to a whole new level. ( Also of
interest may also be the fact that he also makes an appearance on
keyboards during Futile Dream.) When
I first listened to this EP, it took me to a whole new level of obsession.
There was nothing that I thought was terrible because there just simply isn’t
anything, There’s not really any point in comparing the EP against NVS
as it’s simply a younger version, but certainly not less important. It
kind of helped me to appreciate more what is on NVS and also to see how
far the music had developed between the two, and also how the current line
up has taken it even further. I guess its
a little piece of rock history. I was most certainly impressed and
I know if I’d had the opportunity to hear it back then, I would have
become a fan immediately. At the end of the day – it’s clear that
Lakis was a talented chappy even then. He has been fortunate enough to
find that this band of merry men and woman are an equally gifted bunch,
and this has allowed him to develop the music, and his abilities to a
whole new level. As
well as the tracks we already know, there are two other tracks on this EP,
both of which rock, and as ever show the diversity that Area 54 have never
been afraid to introduce to their music, and to unleash on the world. ‘Without
You’ was a track I had been falling over myself to hear for almost a
year, pretty much from when I first heard the band (Well the same goes for
both tracks really) and at the end of the wait, I definitely was not
disappointed, far from it. One of the most remarkable parts of ‘Without
you’ is the fact that they have included strings( in the form of a
certain Miss Salmon on Cello , and also 2 people on violins). Combining
this with a female vocal part creates an intense and somewhat haunting
effect on what appears as a very deep track. The guitar parts are also
incredible throughout, and even then have an early form of what I call the
‘Area 54 ‘sound. Lakis’ vocals are also brilliant. He is clearly
younger here and this track shows some Axl Rose influence.
He has since lost this, having developed a sound that is all his
own. There’s no question over who it is, but at the same time, it’s
not a way anyone will have heard his voice before (well, until they hear
the EP). Not much else I can say, other than I reckon it’s a true Area
54 classic. And one of my top 54 tracks. The
second ‘new’ track is ‘Fear Inside’ which again has a whole
‘unheard’ sound to it, but is completely different to the preceding track.
Although it starts slowly, it’s far heavier and soon launches into a
track full of that fab metal guitar sound, along with the harmony, that we
all know and love. Several changes in tempo throughout mean you just
don’t know what’s going to come round the next corner. And well,
that’s great. There’s not a lot else I can say, other than it rocks!
I’ll leave room for the reader/listener to make their own mind up. Hopefully,
if you haven’t bought it yet then this review will hurry you up. For any
true 54 fan, this ltd edition EP is a must have. An early example of
genius in the making. I’ve
said what I can… the only real way to see the light is to hear the
‘Fear Inside’. Give
the band a hand. They
are now selling
their remaining copies for £15. please buy one, as this will then
aid them in the recording of the next album! . I have it on good authority
that they will only be available on the May 31st, West one four
gig…. Once it’s gone, it’s gone! Good luck, and Happy Listening! MG |
