I've hit some really good bands from overseas and this German 6-piece has caught my attention in more ways than one. FOA started back in 1990 as an instrumental/art rock band and later changed things a bit before their first demo,"...No Better World!" surfaced in '92. The songs off that demo are definately in the NWOBHM vein with the likes of Attacker,Exxplorer,Witchfynder General and a mix of the Yngwie/Steeler days. The later stuff they did in '93 was for the "Roadrunner Session Tape"- more mature,clean-sounding and well thought out musically in the realm of Helloween/Gamma Ray/Killers and Annihilator--the CD was never released by Roadrunner. 1997 saw the AFM Records release of their MCD,"Point of No Return",another masterful chapter written in the world of metal--utilizes acoustics,more melody but still keeps the piercing-sharp edge to it.

Before the release of "Point..." was a full-length "Grasp!!!",a 10-song offering of more incredible songs,strongly written with a more powerful sound and production,thus giving them limelight with some great acts like Gamma Ray,Blind Guardian, Morgana Lefay(now Lefay),Iced Earth,Sacred Reich,Screw,Nevermore and Crematory. Currently,FOA has released "Story of Pain" EP and have done more shows with Primal Fear,Tankard and Rage. The EP continues their traditional ensembe of the predecessors but more inclined ideas to write a collaboration of great songs,lyrics and maturity has gone a step higher with added impressive production. Very rarely do you find bands that are so consistent with each and every release but Factory of Art has proven this to my ears. I strongly urge true metal fans to check this band out if you haven't heard of them. i'm already loking forward to their next full-length release! Here's a bunch of contact info!!!

Wayne Klinger