FAITHFUL BREATH - FADING BEAUTY - 1973

German band FAITHFUL BREATH was formed in Bochum in 1967, founded by Heinz Mikus (vocals, guitar) and Horst Stabenov (bass) when they left MAGIC POWER in order to set up a new band. They were joined by Reinhold Immig (guitar), Walter Scheuer (guitar) and Jürgen Fischer (drums).

The choice of band name came from another person though, namely Georg Grebe (bass); who was briefly involved with the band as a replacement for Stabenov while he was away for a few weeks. A musician called Boggie Kopec was also briefly involved with the band at the start, and some time later in 1967 Ulrich Bock (saxophone) joined for a somewhat longer tenure.

In 1969 Immig left, and a few months later Fischer was out too. Immig was never replaced, and it took the band two years to get a replacement for Fischer, namely Jürgen Weritz (drums), who joined the band in 1971.

When 1972 was written on the calendar Block had left the band for health reasons, and at the end of the same year Scheuer left the outfit as well; replaced by Manfred von Buttlar (keyboards), formerly of MAMA WERWOLL.

The addition of von Buttlar saw the band change musical directions, and they started exploring a more typical symphonic rock oriented sound at this time. When they entered the recording studio in 1973 the result of this was a fine progressive rock album named "Fading Beauty". Renate Heemann (backing vocals) was briefly involved with the band at this point in time.

1977 saw FAITHFUL BREATH enter the recording studio again, this time as a five-piece following the addition of Jürgen Renfordt (vocals). The results of this session was the single "Stick in Your Eyes / Back on My Hill" issued in 1977 and then the full length production "Back on My Hill" released in 1980. After this second album FAITHFUL BREATH disbanded.

Mikus and Stabenov continued working together though, and when they hooked up with Uwe Otto (drums) they revived their old band name, now pursuing a more distinct heavy metal sound similar to ACCEPT - a style the band would continue exploring in the 80's.

1981 saw the release of the first heavy metal album by FAITHFUL BREATH, "Rock Lions". Otto left shortly after, and when the band issued their fourth production "Hard Breath" in 1983 Jürgen Düsterloh (drums) had hooked up with the band. 1984 saw the addition of Andy Honig (guitar) to the line-up, and the release of their fifth album "Gold 'n' Glory". Shortly after Stabenov and Honig left, with Thilo Herrmann (guitars) and Peter Dell (bass) joining the band prior to the recording of their 1985 production "Skol". 1986 saw the band releasing a live album simply named "Live". At that point in time the members felt that it was time to start using another moniker, and in 1987 FAITHFUL BREATH ceased to exist - and the foursome continued on as RISK.

WHY IS THIS BAND LISTED AT PROGARCHIVES:
Although arguably better known in their second incarnation as a heavy metal outfit, German act FAITHFUL BREATH were a progressive rock outfit initially, releasing two fine albums exploring this style. The strong symphonic leanings in their compositions and the similarity to ELOY in style saw to it that the band's addition was approved by the Symphonic Prog team; solely due to the music explored on the albums "Fading Beauty" and "Back on My Hill".
http://www.progarchives.com