After parting ways with thrash titans Megadeth in 1987, highly regarded percussion maestro Gar Samuelson began his next chapter. Relocating to Orange City, FL, Gar rented a farm and began converting its barn into a studio with the help of his brother, guitarist Stew Samuelson. Largely influenced by jazz fusion and carrying the primary goal of simply achieving a heavy sound, FATAL OPERA was later solidified in 1990 with bassist Travis Karcher, Dave Inman on vocals, and short-term guitarist Jeff Bloom-who left the band the following year after contributing to a 10-song demo that was not widely circulated. Over the next two years, the remaining quartet wrote and recorded the group's 10-song self-titled debut, after which they were joined by another fusion-influenced guitarist in Bill Brehme. Initially self-released on cassette, FATAL OPERA signed with German label Massacre Records in 1994, which finally provided the album with a proper CD release in 1995. Cited by Gar as having been an "outward" effort-lyrically focused on socio-political matters, etc.-Fatal Opera displayed an adventurous and truly incomparable brand of technical thrash metal, peppered with melodic hooks and wild, jazz-inflected soloing. Now, more than 20 years later, Divebomb Records is excited to reissue FATAL OPERA's debut outing-expanded to include two previously unreleased bonus tracks. Fully remastered by Jamie King at The Basement Recording, the package will also boast a 20-page booklet including reimagined cover art, photographs, lyrics, and a retrospective interview with the bulk of the surviving band members. For the fans, by the fans!
