Canadian Power Thrash PHEAR’s Heaviest Sound To Date On New Album Save Our Souls (Produced by Jon Howard (Threat Signal)
Canadian metal contingent PHEAR has unleashed their second full-length album. Save Our Souls, now available as of February 13th, 2025, with digital distribution from Golden Robot Records. The new record follows the band’s award-winning album Instanitarium (2019) and their critically acclaimed EP The Curse Lives On (2020).
With their arena-caliber sound, “Save Our Souls” was produced, mixed, and mastered by Jon Howard (Threat Signal) and can be best described as the heaviest offering from PHEAR to date. Most of the album was written during the dark times of COVID-19. “Not a lot to be happy about during that time,” adds vocalist Patrick Mulock.
Extremely passionate and driven, PHEAR is always thinking of new ways to entertain its fans, and Save Our Souls is no exception. It has taken four years to complete (mostly due to COVID). Led by Patrick Mulock and producer Jon Howard in the studio, each musician was pushed hard to get the best out of each of them, and they delivered.
“We had a lot of time to craft these songs. We didn’t have any time restraints. We would go into the studio and do three songs at a time. We were very excited to work with Jon Howard (Threat Signal) again. Jon is the sixth member of Phear. The studio experience was great as we fed off each other’s ideas. We pushed each other to get the best performances we could. There are NO FILLERS here. Seven String guitars have played a big part in this. Our sound has grown. The bass guitar on this album is HUGE! The drumming from Mike Harshaw was also very aggressive. If you were to ask me now…This is the heaviest Phear has ever been……….for now lol!” says Mulock.
A listening experience of thrash, prog, and classic metal elements, PHEAR offers a strong balance from infectious choruses to melodic and growling vocals for true heavy metal nostalgia. Their two lead singles, the album’s title track and “Snake,” are sure to make you throw up your hail horns and rock out with a sore neck from the headbanging. Plus, the band offers up their cover version of Nevermore‘s “Narcosynthesis”.
“We feel that Phear fans will LOVE this album. We have played some of these songs live and they have gone over amazingly. The first time we played the title track “Save Our Souls”, the entire club was singing the chorus. And it has happened everywhere we have played since…….. No better feeling in the world!” adds Mulock.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi, Canada Beats! I am Patrick Mulock, Lead Vocalist for the Canadian Heavy Metal Band Phear.
Phear’s current lineup is; Chris Boshis (Bass Guitar), Pat Rogers (Lead and Rhythm Guitar), Alex Zubair (Lead and Rhythm Guitar), Andrew Suarez (Drums), and myself.
Tell us a bit about your recent release.
The NEW release from Phear is called “Save Our Souls”! This is our third record, but our first on Golden Robot Records. It took us 4 years to write this album due to Covid restraints. It was a long, daunting process, but it allowed us to craft the heaviest material to date. We spent a lot of time on the sounds we used on this album as well. Everyone in the band had input into these songs, so you will hear elements of prog, thrash, and classic power metal on this release. Most of the tracks refer to the state of the world during Covid…..Needless to say, not a great time. For some of the members, this was their first recording with Phear. We have had to part ways with former players due to musical directional changes.
How do you typically go about the songwriting process? Do you have a specific method or creative routine that you follow?
Typically, the guitarists come up with a riff or a complete song. However, Chris Boshis (bassist) wrote 2 songs on this album. Anyway, we all got together and worked on the parts. We all have input into the structure of the song. Everybody puts their personal signature on it. Once the music is pretty much done, I will sit with it and write the melodies for each part. Most of the time, I write all the lyrics as well. However, this time, Chris Boshis and Alex Zubair both contributed to the lyrics of “Bleed and New World Error”. Something different that we did on this album, as opposed to “Insanitarium,” was I worked more on melodies with Jon Howard (Producer) during the recording process, instead of on my own. As most of you know, Jon is the lead vocalist for Canada’s own Threat Signal. His input was very valuable, and it created a much more productive vibe in the studio. Recording vocals was a blast! If you look at the liner notes of the Album, you’ll see that the songs are written by Phear. No song is just the work of one individual on this Album!
Looking ahead, what are your plans for supporting this new release? Are there any upcoming tours, music videos, or additional content that fans can look forward to in connection with this project?
Sooooo much going on!!! We currently have 3 videos on YouTube from this album: “Save Our Souls, Narcosynthesis (Nevermore Cover) and Snake”. We will be releasing a Lyric video for the song “New World Error” in March 2025. We are in pre-production for a full band video for “Aftershock”. We are currently setting up to start rehearsing for live shows in the fall of 2025. We had hoped to tour on the album release, however, Alex required surgery. It’s all good, but he needs time to heal. In reference to the rehearsals…. We will be streaming them live so fans can see what goes into setting up a Phear live show. Follow www.phearofficial.com for details. Shhhh…… this is a secret, but we have also begun recording 4 covers to be released throughout the remainder of 2025. Lastly, we have begun writing the next album……So just a few things going on lol!
Looking back on your musical career, is there a particular moment or accomplishment that you consider a turning point or a highlight?
Looking back at my own personal career, I would have to say….recording and playing live for Eidolon would have been a turning point. I got to perform internationally for the first time. It was a real learning experience that I have certainly used when creating Phear.
Also, the current lineup for Phear is a turning point. The players are so versed in all the metal genres. We could write and perform a thrash song, prog song, a power metal song….you get the point!
It has taken a long time to find the right players to share this project with. This Album with these players is definitely the turning point!!!!
Last but not least, it’s time to pay it forward, what upcoming band or artist would you recommend your fans check out?
OK … .so I’m at History (Toronto Venue) to see Fear Factory. The opening act is “Orbit Culture”…..never heard of them. Well, it sounded huge….Very heavy! I was very impressed! Their musical performance was super tight! Their show was entertaining, and the audience was fully engaged! Yes…..definitely check out Orbit Culture……
Also, a new band but seasoned players…..Check out Kerry King’s new album, “From Hell I Rise”.
If you like Slayer???? And we all do! It’s very similar. Clearly, Kerry was the creative genius behind the Slayer sound. AND THE LIVE SHOW IS AMAZING! The sound and production are off-the-charts good! I was really glad I went to that show.