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Convert Yourself To The Metal Church!

Will Culp | Greenville, South Carolina | 09/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Metal Church(1985). Metal Church's First Album.



In 1985, after groundbreaking releases 'Kill 'Em All' and Exodus's 'Bonded By Blood', Thrash Metal, created in the San Francisco Bay Area, was officially "hip". Not much further behind Metallica and Exodus was a little-known band named Metal Church, comprised of the metallic duel-guitar attack of Kurdt Vanderhoof and Craig Wells, the banshee vocals of David Wayne, the thumping bass of Duke Erickson, and the double-bass heavy percussion of Kirk Arrington. Like Metallica, Metal Church was signed by Elektra, and, when their debut was released, it quickly became an underground hit. Over time, Metal Church's debut and their follow-up, 'The Dark' have been considered Thrash classics, even if you don't hear their name around Anthrax, Metallica, Megadeth, Testament, or Slayer. So, was I impressed with Metal Church's debut or disappointed? Read on to find out!



Track Ratings-



Beyond The Black- Generally considered a Thrash classic, "Beyond The Black" begins with an ominous opening, but Wells and Vanderhoof's sonic guitar assault, not unlike Yngwie Malmsteen, develops into a pulsing, doomy, thrasher with melodic touches, not unlike early-Testament. Wayne's high-pitched vocals, mixed with the melodic thrash, seems to be a perfect match. An intense mixture of burning riffs, solos, vocals, drumming, and musicianship. A masterpiece.



Metal Church- Like Black Sabbath, the band Metal Church, on the album Metal Church, has a song called "Metal Church"! Anyways, "Metal Church" blends the dark and sludgy guitar harmonies not unlike Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, and Wayne's vocals would fit well in bands like Slayer. Gloom-and-doom, not to mention duel-guitar riffs, never sounded better. Another winner!



Merciless Onslaught- A "merciless" piece of heavy metal, "Merciless Onslaught" blends the pounding, rhythmic percussion of Kirk Arrington and the insane guitar antics of Vanderhoof and Wells to create 3 minutes of metallic bliss. Instrumentals never sounded better, and Metallica's "The Call of the Ktulu" isn't that much better than this masterpiece.



Gods of Wrath- A melodic thrasher, "Gods of Wrath" is one of the best Thrash songs I've ever heard. Building up from a slow, rhythm guitar ballad, with *normal* vocals from Wayne, out of nowhere, the song (!) explodes (!) into an insane, out-of-this-world song with riffs that makes Pantera seem like girls and vocals that makes Axl Rose sound like a pansy. "Gods of Wrath" goes from an insane metal attack-on-the-senses to a melodic ballad, and throughout, this song never fails to amaze me! A friggin' masterpiece, with some of the best guitar riffs and vocals I've heard in Heavy Metal!



Hitman- Not unlike Iron Maiden, "Hitman" bursts out of your speakers with an opening riff much akin to the Maiden classic "Number Of The Beast", and Wayne's melodic vocals clearly remind me of Rob Halford(of Judas Priest)'s falsetto. Metal Church dishes out some of the finest musicianship found in the 80's, and after listening to this song, your jaw should be hanging open. In a word: YES!



In The Blood- "In The Blood" sounds very similar to Slayer, using the break-neck speeds from drummer Kirk Arrington and guitarists Well and Vanderhoof to back up Wayne's dark, unforgiving vocals. As Quiet Riot would say, "Bang your head!".



(My Favorite) Nightmare- Metal Church's "(My Favorite) Nightmare" mixes the insane speeds of Motorhead and Slayer, the intricate guitarwork and songwriting of Metallica, the virtuoso performances and guitar solos of Yngwie Malmsteen, and the vocals of Halford(circa 'Painkiller').Obviously you've got yourself one great song!



Battalions- A dark song about the woes of warfare, "Battalions" finds Metal Church exploring with Power Metal, molding an epic soundscape of crunching guitars, meaningful lyrics, operatic vocals, and progressive instrumentation not unlike Symphony X or Blind Guardian. Very mature and magnificent!



Highway Star- A cover of the classic Deep Purple hit, "Highway Star" ends Metal Church's debut with a punky, rebellious statement, changing Deep Purple's classic rock song to a bonafide Punk Metal track, complete with uplifting vocals from Wayne and guitar antics from Vanderhoof and Wells that show them flexing their talents to the brink. Great end to a great album!



Overall, Metal Church's debut shows an uncanny ability for songwriting, musicianship, and maturity that most bands ( ex. Slayer, Queensryche, Megadeth) fail to reach until much later in their career. Metal Church, like Metallica, Diamond Head, and Testament, managed to release a classic album, worthy of anyone's collection, with their first release. A mix of Iron Maiden and Testament, Metal Church's dark, gloomy Thrash metal is infected with melodic moments, and the musicians are top-notch: Wayne's vocals will leave your ears ringing, Vanderhoof and Wells guitar work easily match Kirk Hammett and Marty Friedman's, Kirk Arrington's percussion is flawless, putting him up with the caliber of Mike Portnoy and Lars Ulrich, and the bass is clear and enjoyable. What more can I say? This album is a masterpiece, and every Heavy Metal fan should give this album a home.



HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO FANS OF HEAVY METAL, THRASH, AND METAL CHURCH! METALLICA AND MEGADETH MAY BE MORE POPULAR, BUT METAL CHURCH IS NO LESS GOOD!



Killer Kuts- "Beyond The Black", "Metal Church", "Gods of Wrath", "(My Favorite) Nightmare", "Battalions", and "Highway Star".



Also Recommended-



Kill 'Em All- Metallica

Bonded By Blood- Exodus

The Dark- Metal Church



Thanks For Reading!"

Great debut from underrated band

John Alapick | Wilkes-Barre, PA United States | 05/29/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Metal Church doesn't get mentioned much when talking about the heavy bands of the '80s, but they put out some good albums and this may be their best. The first four tracks, particularly the epic "Beyond The Black", are fantastic. David Wayne's screeching vocals only make the music even heavier. The musicianship is top notch, particularly drummer Kirk Arrington. The second half of the album isn't as strong, but there's nothing bad either. They end the album with a cover of Deep Purple's "Highway Star", which is twice as heavy as the original. I heard this album when it was first released on Megaforce in '85 and after "Highway Star" there was a decent track called "Big Guns." It wasn't released when Elektra released it though. If you like bands like Megadeth or Testament, this is definitely worth checking out."

Metal Church: Resistance is Futile

John Alapick | 01/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Probably the most underrated band of thrash metal hitory Metal Church is amazing in their origanality and in their heaviness. In my opinion they are easily in the top 5 thrash bands of all time. This is by far their best album, others were good follow-ups but were like ...And Justice for all was to Master of Puppets. Metal Church has more of an eighties rock influence then other thrash bands as can be seen in their vocals. Also in my opinion debut albums of the band are some of the best and most musicaly pure. Here is my Ratings(I will use the Ratings True CLASSIC, pURE mETAL, Great Song and Good Song) for the track listings:

1. Beyond the Black- True Classic, is like a jam session, great lyrics-9.3/10

2. Metal Church- True Classic, has a great drum start, awesome song- 9.5/10

3. Merciles Onslaught- True CLASSIC, GREAT DRUMS GREAT GUITAR GREAT SONG GREAT INSTRUMENTAL AMAZINGGGGG- 9.7/10

4. Gods of Wrath- Pure Metal A truly great riff- 9.4/10

5. Hitman- True Classic, Amazing start one of the best riffs, one of the best songs- 9.7/10

6. In the Blood- Good Song, A dro off from Hitman, Great intro Riff, Vocals Kick in to soon- 9/10

7. My Favourite Nightmare- Good Song, Not Very Cathcy- 8.8/10

8. Battalions- Great Song, Not the Best but worth a listen, Great Chorus- 9.1/10

9. Highway Star- Pure Metal, Amazing recreation of one of Deep Purple's best, extremly fast- 9.4/10

Overall Great Album essential to any metal collection!"