FAITH OR FEAR: 'Instruments Of Death' Details Revealed

Reactivated Philadelphia-area '80s thrash band FAITH OR FEAR recently inked a deal with Lost And Found Records. The group has just released "Instruments of Death", a collection of new material and re-recorded versions of songs originally written in the mid-'80s. The set also includes recordings made in the late '80s and early '90s that never saw the light of day. Artwork was created by the acclaimed thrash metal cover artist Ed Repka, who has previously worked with MEGADETH, MISFITS and DEATH, among others.

The 14 tracks on "Instruments of Death" are divided into three sections since they were all recorded at different times. The first section (tracks 1-4) represents the "Dehumanized" demo from 1987 which was responsible for catapulting FAITH OR FEAR to national music industry notoriety. It includes the track "Dehumanized", which was featured on Metal Blade's "Metal Massacre 9" compilation release. Also included is the song "Instruments Of Death" which was available on FAITH OR FEAR's Combat release "Punishment Area" in 1989 but only as a bonus track on the CD and cassette versions. What makes "Section 1" of this new CD special is that it has been entirely re-recorded in February 2009. Nothing has been significantly changed, just simply a great opportunity to record and play these FAITH OR FEAR classics all over again 22 years later, as they were written in 1987.

Section 2 (tracks 5-9) features material that was laid down after FAITH OR FEAR regrouped following a lineup change and re-solidified itself with not only two new members but also a bold new and aggressive style and sound. This section is important in the sense that it contains material which was written and recorded in late 1990 as preparation for a follow-up release to "Punishment Area". Often referred to as the "True Life" recordings, it was, and still remains, some of the most progressive and innovative songwriting that FAITH OR FEAR. Included here is FAITH OR FEAR's only instrumental, "Straight To Hell".

Section 3 (tracks 10-14),often referred to as the "Power Lies" demo, concludes this new CD with some of the most rare material that FAITH OR FEAR has ever recorded. The original reels to this section were re-discovered, restored, and over an arduous two-month period, painstakingly remixed as best as possible considering that these recordings from late 1989-early 1990 were substandard due to studio limitations in 1989 as well as poor tape quality due to degradation over 20 years' time. Nonetheless, this material represents FAITH OR FEAR at a particularly difficult and transitional time while regrouping into what would become the very successful "True Life" lineup.

Formed in 1985, FAITH OR FEAR has played with many bands, including SEPULTURA, OVERKILL, DARK ANGEL, DEATH, MORBID ANGEL, WRATHCHILD AMERICA, FORBIDDEN, METAL CHURCH, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, CRUMBSUCKERS, NUCLEAR ASSAULT and BIOHAZARD. The band co-headlined an entire U.S. tour with SEPULTURA in November-December 1989 and also appeared on MTV's "Headbangers Ball" several times also in 1989-1990.

After an 18-year absence , all the original members of FAITH OR FEAR reformed in May 2008 and are currently playing live, featuring a setlist consisting of new and previously released material.

For more information, visit www.myspace.com/faithorfearnj.