FEAR & ANXIETY

"Fear & Anxiety" is the debut full-length studio album by Japanese progressive rock act Ars Nova. The album was released through Made in Japan Records in 1992. Ars Nova formed in 1983 and was for many years something as unusual as an all female progressive rock band. On "Fear & Anxiety" they work as the trio of Keiko Kumagai keyboards/synths), Kyoko Saito (bass, bass synths, electronics), and Yumiko Saito (drums).

In their formative years Ars Nova covered material by Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Trace, and the most critical reviewers often call them an ELP clone band. Although Ars Nova´s most significant influence arguably is ELP there are ther influences from various 70s progressive rock artist featured in their sound too, so personally i wouldn´t label them a close band. The music is heavily rooted in the seventies symphonic progressive rock scene, although the keyboards/synths being used are a combination of vintage and more modern sounding keyboards (late 70s artists like U.K. and Sky are also influences), it´s mostly the vintage sounds which dominate the music. "Fear & Anxiety" is fully instrumental and the themes played by the keyboards are often classical music inspired.

The musicianship is on a high level on all posts and it´s hard not to be impressed by the skills on display and the many intriguing musical ideas featured in the compositions. The material is dynamic and often quite atmospheric, epic, and even dramatic. Featuring a powerful, organic, and detailed sound production "Fear & Anxiety" is upon conclusion a high quality progressive rock release and fans of instrumental early 70s influenced progressive rock should take notice of this album. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.