When we last left Faith No More, the band was fending off breakup rumors, searching for a new lead guitarist and trying to recreate the archetypal, bass-thumping, fragmented fuzz that helped end pop metal's ignominious reign.

Today, San Francisco area guitarist John Hudson joins the cantankerous foursome on their follow-up to the commercially disappointing "King For a Day, Fool For a Lifetime." Hudson, formerly with the underground band Systems Collapse, is officially the fifth member of FNM, "but I said that about the other guys too," says FNM bassist Billy Gould with a self-deprecating chuckle. The band's founder refers to original vocalist Chuck Mosley and guitarists Jim Martin, Trey Spruance and Dean Menta.

Having finished recording, FNM, along with engineer Roli Mosiman (Young Gods, The The), is remixing between 14 and 16 songs at The Plant Studios in Sausalito, Calif. with plans to release the yet-untitled record on June 3.

"[The new record] is really driving the way the last record was, but a little more atmospheric," says FNM bassist Billy Gould. Although most song titles remain in code, the band recently named several tunes all with, according to Gould, radio single potential.

"Mouth to Mouth" elicits a distinct Arabic flavor, inspired by Gould's recent sabbatical in Albania, while "Your Last Cup of Sorrow" and "Nothing to Declare" are more rich in texture.

Since the band's breakthrough "The Real Thing," FNM's road has been rocky at best. After the overwhelming success of songs like "Epic" and "Falling to Pieces," the grunge revolution began, and record label execs began to repackage alternative rock. FNM didn't qualify.

"When we signed our [record] deal in 1986, radio was all Whitesnake, Poison and crap like that," says Gould. "The same type of situation that was going on then is going on now, but with alternative radio. It's the same kind of categorization. Bands are not getting developed -- they're having a hit single and then getting thrown away."

Internal development has also been somewhat problematic. The band's constant quarrelling and side projects such as frontman Mike Patton's Mr. Bungle and keyboardist Roddy Bottum's Imperial Teen have not exactly helped their focus.

Consequently, fans are forever believing the band's next show will be their last. "Every time you hear you're breaking up, what do you do?" says Gould. "Put out press releases saying you're not or make another record."

Still, Faith No More refuses to acquiesce. "There's definitely tension in the band.