Believer
Colebrook, Pennsylvania7 reviews across 5 releases
Believer was a Christian metal band from Colebrook, Pennsylvania, formed in 1986. Early material combined traditional heavy metal with speed-metal tempo changes: the 1987 cassette The Return used clear, upfront lyrics and sharply mixed guitar solos, while the independent I'm Free leaned toward Triumph-like rock and suffered from thin production. Kurt Bachman's move from guitar and vocals on Extraction From Mortality into a more technical thrash setting gave the band its durable shape; Joey Daub's drumming supplied much of the attack. By Sanity Obscure, released through R.E.X. Music, the songs were faster and more intricate, with violin and an operatic voice set against samples and abrupt rhythmic exchanges. Dimensions pushed the same method toward progressive metal, building an extended suite from heavy riffs, electric violin, and soprano narration.
In 1994, Believer disbanded after the Dimensions period, ending its first run. Bachman returned to education, while Daub worked in BMX and production; the two later resumed Believer in 2005. The re-formed band brought in Kevin Leaman on guitar and Jeff King on keyboards, with Elton Nestler playing bass, and released Gabriel in 2009 through Metal Blade's Cesspool imprint. Transhuman followed in 2011, retaining the technical metal base while presenting a newer lineup around Bachman and Daub. Later activity included the independent 2017 EP 3 of 5.
5 releases reviewed
I'm Free
The Return
Extraction From Mortality
Sanity Obscure
