Believer were formed in New York in early 1986 by Kurt Bachman and Joey Daub. Originally starting out playing a more melodic metal style they switched to thrash when "we realized that we could write thrash better than we could write anything else"- Bachman. Believer saw their share of controversy as many Christians had a problem with the fact that they wore "secular" band's t-shirts. They also did a lot of shows with acts such as Bolt Thrower and Sacrifice, causing even more controversy. Ironically Believer became very well received in the "secular" world, which gave ample opportunity to show people the Lord. They were also known for innovation. As a senior in high school, Bachman met Scott Laird, who was a first year music instructor. When it was time to record their first album, entitled 'Extraction From Mortality', they asked Laird to write and play the intro to the title track. They used violins and orchestral type arrangements. On the next two releases these elements were used and they brought in Scott's sister, Julianne Laird, a bona fide opera singer, and combined all this with thrash. These guys were way ahead of their time.

Wyatt Robertson, Dave Baddorf, Joey Daub, Kurt Bachman

EXTRACTION FROM MORTALITY (1989, 2007) METAL MIND (#75/2000)

Believer actually started out as a regular metal band, but found that they were better at writing thrash, so they changed styles! And that was a killer move, as 'Extraction From Mortality', the bands debut album, originally released on R.E.X. Records in 1989, is one of my all time favorite albums. Every song on this CD is phenomenal. The bands technical abilities are present here, but they are not as refined as is the case on latter album from Believer. The music is much more straight forward, and in-you-face. And I for one prefer 'Extraction From Mortality' over the 2 subsequent records. Delivering precise and blistering thrash metal, with a sharp and lethal guitar tone that will melt your face! Kurt's harsh vocals is another key feature in this bands overall sound. From the opening fake radio broadcast, and the church organ intro, to the relaxed ending of "Stress" (originally a bonus track on the initial CD release), this album never fails to amaze me.

I used to own the 2001 M8 re-release that included two bonus tracks. But I've replaced it with the 2007 Metal Mind reissue, with remastered sound. I own the bonus tracks from the M8 version on their respective original compilation albums. One thing that bugs me about the Metal Mind version is that there is no pocket in the digi-pack cover to hold the actual booklet! Oh, and they could have added the bonus tracks to this reissue as well. But owning number 75 of the 2000 copies ever made, is a treat.

Killer tracks: All of them!!

Dave Baddorf, W Robertson, Kurt Bachman, Joey Daub

SANITY OBSCURE (1990, 2007) METAL MIND (#220/2000)

Believer went into a much more progressive style here, and 'Sanity Obscure, the bands second album, was for me much harder to get into than it's predecessor. I've owned this thing from when it was new, but it's only during the last couple of years that I've really started to enjoy it to the fullest. There is no denying that this is quality stuff!! Excellent technical progressive thrash metal, done in a way no other band have ever been close to. Just listen to the title track, and album opener. The way they make the song travel, going from thrash riffing, and then suddenly incorporating a second or 2 of an acoustic bit, only to return head first into the crushing thrash metal riffing with the greatest ease, is quite mind numbing. And the incorporation of orchestrations is another unique thing for Believer. At least back then. It certainly was inventive! And the guys in Believer are not ashamed to show which non-metal band has had the biggest influence on them. Because "Like A Song" is, something as obscure as, a thrash metal version of a U2 song!!

I've replaced my Roadrunner original with the remastered reissue from Metal Mind.

Killer tracks: Sanity Obscure, Nonpoint, Dies Irae (Day Of Wrath)

DIMENSIONS (1993, 2007) METAL MIND (#304/2000)

Believer's last album is certainly their most ambitious. What started with "Extraction From Mortality", evolved further with "Dies Irae (Day Of Wrath)", and now we get "Trilogy Of Knowledge". What I am talking about, is of course Believer's technical, epic-length tracks. And here they took the symphonic elements even further. 'Dimensions' was even harder to get into, than 'Sanity Obscure'. And I can't help but to miss the style they had in the beginning, namely no frills thrash. I appreciate the good musicianship here and I've learned to like the album over time. But all in all this is Believer's weakest effort, in my opinion. I just feel that they overdid it on this album. And the liner-notes explains it a little; while 'Sanity Obscure' took 2 weeks to record and mix, 'Dimensions' took close to 1 year!

The alternative cover shown above is from the original R.E.X. Records version of this album. I've owned both versions, but now I just have the 2007 Metal Mind reissue, with remastered sound.

Killer tracks: Trilogy Of Knowledge

Believer 2008, Left to Right: Kevin Leaman, Joey Daub, Jeff King, Elton Nestler, Kurt Bachman
 

GABRIEL (2009) CESS POOL RECORDINGS/METAL BLADE

I never thought we'd ever see another Believer album again! But I am so glad it happened. There will always be much anticipation when one of your all time favorite bands returns after a 15 year hiatus. So I've tried to lower my expectations to a sane level. The internet was crawling with debates even before 1 single note of the new material was published. The new logo was good/bad, the album cover ruled/sucked, the band had gone nu-metal/stayed true to the sound on the first album, etc. Yes, it was all represented on various discussion board threads.

Now we have the result in hand. One of the rumors prior to the release of 'Gabriel' was that it was gonna be heavily influenced by Tool and/or Nine Inch Nails. I gotta admit that this rumor scared me a lot. Luckily the only similarities between the new Believer and the mentioned bands are the many samples and heavy programming going on through this CD. In some songs it works well, while in others they are a bit distracting. The final track on the CD, for example, consists of spoken words over the music, with lots of samples in the background. I have to mention that this little number had me really anticipated, since I already "know" the mastermind and narrator of this number, John Boden, from the Heart Of Metal discussion board I run. While the number isn't exactly a song per se, it's still a great listen.

Musically the band delivers more highly progressive, technical thrash metal. I'd say that 'Gabriel' features a good mix of the band prior efforts, and adds a whole slew of new stuff to boot. The production is of course more up-to-speed, and the already mentioned samples and digital effects adds a modern aspect to their sound. Believer-albums have always taken the listener on journeys through different landscapes, and added elements you don't necessarily think of when you hear the term thrash metal. So this tradition is in tact. Kurt's hoarse, screaming/shouting vocals are recognizable, but they are put a little more in the background of the mix, resulting in a softer impression. The guitar sound isn't as crispy here as they used to, creating yet another modern sound element. As a whole I find the beginning of the album to be stronger than the last half. And I could have done without much of the computerized stuff. But I like most of what I hear, and I'm just so delighted to have Believer back in action again! I think most of the old fans will find plenty to salivate over on 'Gabriel' too. Also be on the lookout for guest appearances from members of the bands Killswitch Engage, Living Sacrifice and Sacrifice.

The 3 hidden tracks at the end are untitled. The first one is a voicemail advert for a circus, plucked from Joey's answering machine. The second one are just Morse code signals, and static noises. The third one allegedly includes elements from all the songs from the album. Thanks to John for that information!

Killer tracks: Medwton, A Moment In Prime, Shut Out The Sun

TRANSHUMAN (2011) TRAUMA TEAM PRODUCTIONS/METAL BLADE

Luckily the Believer reunion was not just a 1 album fluke. So here they go again, with their 5th studio album, entitled 'Transhuman'. The line-up remains the same, save for bassist/programmer Elton Nestler who left the band in early 2011.

A more accurate name for 'Transhuman' could have been 'Transformation'. You could hear hints of it on 'Gabriel', but here the changes are total. Save for the intricate songwriting, the technical playing and to an extent Kurt's voice, it's a very different Believer we hear on 'Transhuman'. They are certainly no longer a thrash metal band, but reside much more in modern metal territory. I personally think they sound like a mixture of newer In Flames and the latter albums from Extol, if you remove those bands extreme metal leanings. The industrial leanings on 'Gabriel' are still here, but the loops and samples are used more intact with the songs, and not so much as a backdrop or soundscape behind and/or over the music. The songs are atmospheric and without apparent hooks. Only repeated listening lets you crawl under the albums web-like skin. There is no knowing what comes next on this album.

Another change with Believer are the lyrics. They are currently not what anyone would call a Christian band, and the lyrics on 'Transhuman' deals more with philosophy, science and universal existential questions.

'Transhuman' will come as a shock to many devoted fan of this band. It has little in common with the Believer of old, yet to me it represents a somewhat natural step forth from 'Gabriel'. I mentioned In Flames and Extol earlier in this write-up, both bands who have received tons of flack for changing the sound they initially became famous for. Yet I have always stuck by, and defended, both bands in all of their shapes and musical forms. I will do the same for Believer and 'Transhuman'. And I'll do it because the album is good! Sure, it is different, but as long as they keep it as solid and interesting as they have done with this album, them I am onboard for the ride. Music should have you coming back for more, and 'Transhuman' would not eave my player when it was first put in it.

Killer tracks: Lie Awake, G.U.T., Clean Room, Traveler, Entanglement

Believer also appear on:  

V/A - 'East Coast Metal'

V/A - 'Metal Mission - The Sampler'

V/A - 'Classic Metal'

V/A - 'ARGH!!! The Official R.E.X. Sampler'

Related artists:

Sardonyx