Faith And The Muse Announce Remastered Reissue Of ‘Elyria’

One of goth rock‘s most enchanting acts, Faith and the Muse is a collaboration between Monica Richards (Strange Boutique) and William Faith (Mephisto Waltz, Shadow Project). Their 1994 debut album, ‘Elyria‘, 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.

Pulsating with inspiration and creativity, ‘Elyria’ consists of 14 songs that are both sophisticated and otherworldly. Its many highlights include the post-punk inspired ’Sparks’ and ’The Trauma Coil’, the seductive medieval and renaissance music inspired ‘Vervain’, the shimmering ‘All Lovers Lost’ and the album opening title track.

Remastered reissues of ‘Anwyn, Beneath The Waves’ (1995) and ‘Evidence of Heaven’ (1999), the second and third albums by Faith and the Muse, will follow in early 2027.

Faith and the Muse is Monica Richards and William Faith. Well-known and widely respected in the underground community, they have been dubbed “an art band with a pop sensibility” and have always steadfastly refused to conform to musical fads.

Based in Los Angeles, Faith and the Muse 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 Shadow Project, and Richards starting out fronting Washington harDCore punk bands before making a name for herself in the post-punk outfit Strange Boutique.

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.

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.