Fatal Opera - s/t. 1992 USA

Gar Samuelson was a drummer most known for being part of the first significant lineup of Megadeth. A few years older than most metalheads, Samuelson was a child of the 70s. Growing up near Buffalo, New York, he and his running set (including guitarist Chris Poland) were into the jazz fusion bands that were popular in the underground at the time.

This background makes Samuelson uniquely qualified to start one of the most interesting progressive metal bands I've ever had the pleasure to hear. After leaving Megadeth, Samuelson relocated to Florida, built out a studio on a farm, and began Fatal Opera with his brother - a band that today is more likely to be known as a trivia answer to "whatever happened to..."

Fatal Opera was recorded and released in 1992 on cassette tape, featuring a cover that is a painting of his neighbor (?!) (second photo). A few years later, Massacre picked it up for wider CD distribution, and affixed a more "metal appropriate" cover (first scan). This is only the beginning of the oddities afforded.

The album opens with 'Dead by 1998', a fine but somewhat typical progressive metal track, and perhaps the closest Fatal Opera gets to Megadeth. With 'Evil Tears', the album takes a turn for the heavier and more complex and goes even further down the rabbit hole with 'Spheres of Glass'. By the time of 'Moving Underground' you are in an entirely different world. 'The Unwilling' has the sound and sneer of one of Manilla Road's epics. And it just keeps going - metal for certain, but no fastballs,  all curves and sliders. And knuckleballs.... It's a No Hitter for sure (literally and figuratively). They're pitching a gem so far. Then comes...

'Moon Turns the Tides', which is a Hendrix cover - and not a normal one at that. The original title is '1983 Moon Turns The Tides', as the real song here is '1983...(A Merman I Should Turn To Be)'. Well folks, maintaining my baseball analogy, Fatal Opera just struck out the side to finish the game. I cannot recall anywhere in my collection where a progressive metal album contains a psychedelic guitar freakout, of the kind I report on often in the progressive rock world - and almost always from the 1970s! Has to be heard to be believed. Wow!

The Divebomb reissue adds two more tracks, both of the twist turny variety as found above. Really a brilliant album, one that has completely sailed under the radar. Don't miss this one.

Personal collection
CD: 2017 Divebomb

As is usual for the label, information is gleaned from an interview with the band. The funny thing here is you'll learn more from the questions than the answers. The band wasn't very forthcoming with much recollection (they weren't even sure when this album was recorded, for example). There's also a couple of tribute letters, including a touching one from Samuelson's long time girlfriend. Full lyrics are included as well as the 2 quality bonus tracks as mentioned above. They also altered the cover slightly that is definitely more appealing to the eye (3rd scan). Though I think they should have included the original as well!

Sadly Samuelson passed away all too young in 1999.