A Secret Death - Fear Is The Driving Force (Album)
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Ah re-releases, I’m a big fan of them. The main reason I like them is because it means that you don’t have to trowel through second hand stores in the hope that you’ll find the original. Having said that, I actually own the original Fear Is The Driving Force EP, and have probably seen ASecretDeath live about 15 times.
The thing I’ve always liked about ASD is their irreverence. The booklet for the re-release has no exception to this. Money is the driving force! Well, it’s the reason for the re-release, and I suspect it’s also a reminder that ASD are still kicking around. Their debut long player is dropping on August 23, just after the national tour with Escape the Fate – I’m certainly looking forward to seeing the new tracks.
Apart from the honesty about the re-release, there is a great little story about what has happened within the band since the initial release (including finding Jacob in a gutter). But it’s not all about the booklet. Let’s get to the tracks.
My favourite track from the re-release is still the title track. It’s a great overview of the potential of the band. There’s light and shade, metal guitar lines, and of course, Nathan’s vocals – still some of the best hardcore vocals in Australia.
The other original tracks are still as relevant as they were way back when, they’re edgy, loud, and remind me of Club Sabotage in Brisbane, $2 drinks, and sticky floors.
There are four bonus tracks on this disc, two from the 2005 Split EP, and two previously unreleased tracks. The first bonus track is Peach Pit – not to be confused with the 90210 hangout – and it’s metal-tastic! It’s all beatdowns, whining guitars, and time changes.
The first of the unreleased tracks is Romantic, which was meant for the original EP but didn’t record as well as expected. It sure has now. Its inclusion shows how the band has progressed since 2002.
The last track on the EP is Stringfellow Hawke, the first song the band wrote together. It’s an interesting insight into the start of the band, there’s dual vocals, a fair bit more melody, and a distinctly rock vibe.
If you’re new to the world of ASD you need this in your collection. Trust me.
