{"id":22655,"date":"2026-09-21T09:36:03","date_gmt":"2026-09-21T14:36:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/?p=22655"},"modified":"2026-09-21T09:36:07","modified_gmt":"2026-09-21T14:36:07","slug":"faith-and-the-muse-elyria-remastered-reissue-of-classic-1994-debut-album-out-9th-october-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mkultramagazine.com\/?p=22655","title":{"rendered":"FAITH AND THE MUSE : ‘Elyria’ – remastered reissue of classic 1994 debut album out 9th October 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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One of goth rock’s most enchanting acts, Faith and the Muse<\/strong> is a collaboration between Monica Richards (Strange Boutique) and William Faith (Christian Death, Mephisto Waltz, Sex Gang Children, Shadow Project). Their 1994 debut album, \u2018Elyria’, left an indelible mark on the goth and darkwave scenes, transcending the genres and much admired for its artistry and musical depth.

Remastered in 2026 by Faith, with new graphics by Richards, the CD digipak design also features two panels of quotes from the band about the making of the album. This new remaster will not be released digitally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pulsating with inspiration and creativity, \u2018Elyria\u2019 consists of 14 songs that are both sophisticated and otherworldly. Its many highlights include the post-punk inspired \u2019Sparks\u2019 and \u2019The Trauma Coil’, the seductive medieval and renaissance music inspired \u2018Vervain\u2019, the shimmering \u2018All Lovers Lost\u2019 and the album opening title track.

Remastered reissues of \u2018Anwyn, Beneath The Waves\u2019 (1995) and \u2018Evidence of Heaven\u2019 (1999), the second and third albums by Faith and the Muse, will follow in early 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bandcamp<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faith and the Muse<\/strong> is Monica Richards and William Faith. Well-known and widely respected in the underground community, they have been dubbed \u201can art band with a pop sensibility\u201d and have always steadfastly refused to conform to musical fads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Based in Los Angeles, the duo combined forces in 1993 with the intention of taking their music to new levels. They were already well-established, Faith having played with cult icons such as Christian Death and Shadow Project, and Richards starting out fronting Washington harDCore punk bands before making a name for herself in the post-punk outfit Strange Boutique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a diverse sound palette ranging from dark alternative rock and electronica to world music and neo-classical, and from jazz to folk and avant-garde, the duo offer a rare listening experience whereby acoustic guitar pieces and traditional\/tribal folk melodies sit comfortably alongside grand orchestral production and epic dark rock.

Faith and the Muse have released five albums, a 2xCD live\/remix album and a live DVD to date, while extensive touring throughout North America and Europe to promote these has brought them to the attention of huge audiences drawn into the mythical and mystical environment of their often otherworldly music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Richards is also part of the ongoing collaborative project The Eden House, while Strange Boutique reformed in 2019 and issued a new album in 2025. Faith records as The Bellwether Syndicate, has played guitar for UK anarcho-punk stalwarts Conflict and bass for goth legends The March Violets, and is a renowned producer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Facebook<\/a> \u00a0| \u00a0Facebook<\/a> (Monica Richards) \u00a0| \u00a0Instagram<\/a> (Monica Richards)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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