Fear of God

In the early '90s, Fear of God arose from the ashes of a Détente, an aggressive metal band that featured the frantic and troubled vocalist Dawn Crosby. Crosby had a reputation for being difficult to work with at times and the ever-shifting lineups that surrounded her in both Détente and Fear of God suggests that musicians did indeed have a hard time sticking with the gravel-throated songstress, despite her charismatic performing abilities and intense industry attention. Toward the end of Détente's run, Michael Carlino joined up with the band and eventually the guitarist and Crosby formed an intense personal and songwriting relationship. The two musicians realized that a new band was needed to peruse the different and exciting musical direction they were headed and Fear of God was born. Along with drummer Rob Hunter, Carlino and Crosby recorded the new band's first demos in 1989 after moving to the East Coast. Still operating under the Détente moniker, the band began discussions with Warner Bros. about a recording contract and eventually they were signed. It was decided that the band's name would then change to Fear of God. Hunter had left by this time and he was eventually replaced by Steve Cordova, who along with Détente bassist Blair Darby, Carlino, and Crosby formed the first real Fear of God lineup. The group recorded their debut, Within the Veil, and the disc was released on Warner Bros. in 1991. This record would prove to be the creative high point in the careers of all the musicians involved. Crosby and Carlino had spent years in unknown bands and struggled together with Détente, personal crises and literally dozens of musicians, yet the two somehow put together a spectacular goth metal collection that has since become regarded as supremely accomplished and...