Album Review: System Decay – Fear Of
Alright, let’s dive into Fear Of by System Decay. Released in 1991 outta Germany, this alt-rock gem from Flight 13 hits hard with its raw energy and emotional grit. Teddy, the mastermind behind the music and lyrics, really lays it all out here. The production crew—Claudius Frey and Wolfgang Baer—did a bang-up job recording and mixing this sucker, giving it that punchy, early '90s vibe without over-polishing it.
Now, onto the tracks. First up, “Tell Me Words.” Man, this one sticks with you. It’s got this driving rhythm and a chorus that feels like a gut punch. Teddy’s lyrics are straight-up haunting, kinda like he’s wrestling with something he can’t quite put into words—but you feel it. I remember blasting this one on repeat during a road trip, windows down, wind messing up my hair. There’s just something about the way the guitar riffs crash into the vocals—it’s messy but in the best possible way. Feels like life, ya know?
Then there’s “The Fear Of Tomorrow,” which is probably the standout track for me. This tune feels like staring into the abyss while hoping someone grabs your hand before you fall in. The tension builds slowly, layer by layer, until you’re just sitting there like, “Whoa, what did I just listen to?” It’s heavy—not just musically, but emotionally too. I mean, how do you not get chills when that final note rings out? It’s the kind of song that makes you wanna call an old friend or maybe just sit quietly for a bit.
“The Mystery” rounds out the album, and while it’s solid, those first two tracks are what keep pulling me back. They’re the ones I find myself humming days later, even though I swear I didn’t memorize the lyrics on purpose.
Looking back, Fear Of feels like a snapshot of its time—a little rough around the edges, unapologetically real, and dripping with attitude. It’s not perfect, but honestly, that’s why it works so well. You don’t listen to this album for perfection; you listen to it because it speaks to something deeper, something messy and human.
And hey, fun fact: if you ever see Claudius Frey or Wolfgang Baer at a bar, buy ‘em a drink—they earned it with this mix.
So yeah, Fear Of might not change your life, but it’ll definitely make you feel something. And honestly, isn’t that what rock’s supposed to do? Oh, and P.S.—if anyone knows where I can snag a physical copy of this thing, hit me up. Digital just doesn’t cut it sometimes.
