New American Gospel is also the first release with Willie Adler on guitar, who replaced Abe Spear.

[5][6] Metal Blade Records reissued a remastered version of New American Gospel in 2006 with four bonus tracks.

[7] The remastered version contains a note on the inlay that explains that the sound of the album is less polished than their newer work, in part due to time constraints as well as heavy drinking.

[8] Revolver magazine called New American Gospel one of the "69 Greatest Heavy Metal Albums of All Time".

[12] NME said the album "harks back to the days when Slayer ruled the kingdom of metal with speedy riffs and nihilism", and described the sound as "ferocious".