Papa Roach – “F.E.A.R.” [Album Review]

Some people listen to rock n’ roll to rebel against whoever, some people just like a bangin’ good tune, while others use rock n’ roll as a way of releasing whatever it is they need to scream about. Fifteen years ago, a Californian nu-metal quartet going by the name of Papa Roach released an album called Infest, giving a whole generation of teenagers the perfect soundtrack to their teen angst. Fifteen years later that album has stood the test of time despite Papa Roach having long outgrown those angst-based roots.

Well, almost to the date, the band are releasing this their eighth studio album and, while they might be older and longer in the tooth, they’re still top drawer when it comes to banging out a set of massive-sounding anthemic rock songs. F.E.A.R. starts with the huge title track, a song with a powerful, positive chorus that really sets the tempo for the rest of this impressive album. Driving guitars and pumping electronics may be the basis for their sound in 2015, but it is the huge hooks and passionate, heartfelt lyrics of songs like “Broken Like Me” and “Skeletons” that will have fans singing along from the outset.

Elsewhere on the album, “Gravity” sees the band joined by In This Moment siren Maria Brink while there is also a guest appearance from rapper Royce Da 5’9 who joins the band on “Warriors”, a track that brings F.E.A.R. to a thumping, pulsing finale. On the whole, F.E.A.R. has everything a Papa Roach fan will have come expect from the band. From Jacoby Shaddix’s heartfelt performance on tracks like “Never Have To Say Goodbye” to the energetic guitars and thumping electronics, F.E.A.R. is as good an album as any for the band and their fans to celebrate their fifteen year milestone.

Track Listing:

01. Face Everything And Rise
02. Skeletons
03. Broken As Me
04. Falling Apart
05. Love Me Till It Hurts
06. Never Have To Say Goodbye
07. Gravity
08. War Over Me
09. Devil
10. Warriors

Run Time: 35:54
Release Date: January 26, 2015

Check out the song “Face Everything And Rise”.