Collective Fear is an alternative rock band based in Los Angeles, CA. Mike Guerard serves as the primary songwriter and instrumentalist. The act is a hard-hitting yet accessible fusion of alternative music, ranging from synthpop and electro to 80s-inspired post-punk and shoegaze. Founded in Boston, MA, from the boredom of isolation and the desire to push the limits of songwriting and production, Collective Fear places DIY ethos at the heart of writing and production.
After being featured on two successful compilations with Candlepin Records, Collective Fear released their debut EP, Foster, in early 2022. After relocating to LA, the act immediately returned with the release of Truly Free at Last? on Candlepin Records in early 2023, supporting the EP with a series of local shows in Los Angeles.
Collective Fear’s 2025 kicks off with a split release with Saline, and “Unbound” is an early favorite from the four-song EP. “Unbound” introduces the band as boundary-pushers as they capture the essence of shoegaze and whittle down its tropes until they are left with raw material, enough to build their fascinating sonic worlds. “Unbound” is an explosive piece of shoegaze that starts with a slow burn that quickly transforms into a chugging, stadium-sized anthem. Dense, warping guitars are parted for lush vocals, creating the song’s enticing and undeniably colorful textures. The dense wall-of-sound still finds time to be dynamically pleasing as the searing guitars and thudding drums bend and twist, allowing every element to spend time in the spotlight. “Unbound” is a stunning shoegaze performance that toes the line between hypnotically nostalgic and urgently modern, allowing Collective Fear’s lofty visions for the genre to manifest into a head-spinning display of their prowess.
