Perserverance.
This one word embodies everything that is Faith In Exile. Hailing from the once booming heart of Pennsylvania’s coal country, the quartet is influenced as much by the blue collar, “never say die” attitude of their home as they are by bands such as Killswitch Engage, Alice In Chains, All That Remains, and Katatonia. By combining the dark and gloomy feel of their surroundings with their metal and rock roots, Faith In Exile creates a genuinely unique sound, which is in short supply in their hometown. “Our scene is dominated by party bands and cover acts,” says vocalist/guitarist Rob Allison. “It’s extremely hard to be successful in our area as an original band, let alone an original band that plays metal.”
Faith In Exile originally formed in late 2005, enduring 3 major line-up changes before finding the missing piece of their puzzle in the form of guitarist Brandon Foti in late 2006. Drummer Ron Gubala agrees: “With Foti in the mix, our songs started to get more complicated structure-wise. The music we were writing began to show more of our metal influences.” The band released 2 independent CDs between 2007 and late 2008, building up a large and loyal fanbase. By the fall of 2009 Faith In Exile became the top draw in their area, routinely packing local clubs and bars to capacity and beyond. “For one show the club security had to start a waiting list to get in because the crowd became a fire hazard,” recounts bassist Allen Buehner. “People in the hall outside the door to the club, people in the parking lot, on the sidewalk down the street...it was crazy.” It became evident that the small bars and clubs of Schuylkill County and the surrounding region wouldn’t be able to contain the band for much longer.
Enter “In Defiance of Suffering,” the first full length release from F.I.E. Officially releasing on September 4th, 2010, the album is a musical tour de force from the first seconds of opener “Malakai.” Mastered by guru Alan Douchess (All That Remains, Killswitch Engage, Bullet For My Valentine), the record bridges many genres and sub-genres of rock and metal to create an intensely heavy yet accessible album. Gubala lays the foundation on the drums with pounding double bass runs and tempo changes executed to perfection. Buehner’s powerful bass playing solidifies the rhythm section, allowing Foti and Allison’s unique styles guitar playing to mesh seamlessly together, but not without letting their own tones to stand out. The songs are completed by Allison’s shape-shifting vocals, transforming from angelic clean to demonic screams in the blink of an eye and always underscored with a sense of urgency. The band’s live show captivates their audience at every show with intensity on all fronts. The band is able to duplicate their songs perfectly on stage while pouring every ounce of energy into their performance. “We always say if you do it in the studio, you’d better be able to do it live,” says Allison.
DIY-minded because of the isolation of their hometown, Faith In Exile has managed to translate their hard work into results. Through tireless promotion they have managed to spread their music all over the state. The band has continued to receive airplay on local radio stations. The band continues to be an online presence with a professionally designed website (www.faithinexilerock.com).
With a new album expected to catapult the band into the spotlight, a rabid fan base foaming at the mouth for new material, and a tireless work ethic, Faith In Exile seems poised to make an impact on the hard rock/metal scene in the very near future.
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