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05-23 Original Metal Church drummer
04-29 Metal Church are Making Monste
03-25 Metal Church tease 13th album
07-27 R.I.P. Mike Howe


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Metal Church

    Born out of the West Coast Metal scene of the 80's, Metal Church quickly became one of the standout talents of the genre. After signing adealwith Elektra records, they released two critically acclaimed albums. Their self-titled release "Metal Church" postured the band as one ofthepioneers of the thrash/metal scene. The All Music Guide had this to say about the debut: "The band's incredibly tight musicianship is ahighlightall on it's own. This album remains an overlooked classic of straight-ahead American-bred heavy metal." With the heavy metal scenestarting torise in the U.S., Metal Church set ...read more

    Born out of the West Coast Metal scene of the 80's, Metal Church quickly became one of the standout talents of the genre. After signing adealwith Elektra records, they released two critically acclaimed albums. Their self-titled release "Metal Church" postured the band as one ofthepioneers of the thrash/metal scene. The All Music Guide had this to say about the debut: "The band's incredibly tight musicianship is ahighlightall on it's own. This album remains an overlooked classic of straight-ahead American-bred heavy metal." With the heavy metal scenestarting torise in the U.S., Metal Church set out on a very successful tour with label mates Metallica.Next came "The Dark," the fury of its opening track, "Ton of Bricks" was championed as one of the premier metal releases of the 80's. TheDarkalso led to one of a few lineup changes with the departure of vocalist David Wayne. However, more success was yet to come. With theadditionof former Heretic vocalist Mike Howe, and Metallica guitar tech extraordinaire John Marshall, the riffing became heavier and thesubject matterdeeper. They tackled political and social issues of the day with the releases of "Blessing In Disguise" and "The Human Factor."At a time whenheavy metal bands moved from the underground and became part of the hair band/pop fad, Metal Church stayed true to theirroots.During the mid 90's, the members of Metal Church headed in their own directions. Kurdt Vanderhoof worked on his namesakeproject,Vanderhoof, while Kirk Arrington was playing on various sessions including a recording with Sir Mix-A-Lot. 1999 led to a well-receivedreunion ofthe original Metal Church lineup with the release of "Masterpeace". The band went back to their classic sound and played severalfestivalsoverseas.2004 saw them back with new vocalist, Ronny Munroe, whose style has been described as "Rob Halford meets Dio", as well as JayReynolds(Malice) on guitar and Steve Unger on bass. With a new record "The Weight of the World" and some new blood, heavy metal legendsMetalChurch picked up where their aptly titled last release "Masterpeace" left off.In 2006, twenty years after their cult album "The Dark", Metal Church presented their brand new release, "A Light In The Dark", forgingacreative arch that skillfully links the band's past with the present. Ten new tracks, (plus a new version of the classic "Watch The ChildrenPray", atribute to original frontman David Wayne), document the development of a band that, despite all innovation, has never denied it'stypicaltrademarks. The current lineup consists of Kurdt Vanderhoof, Ronny Munroe, Jay Reynolds, Steve Unger and new addition Jeff Plate ondrums."Jeff is an incredibly dynamic and professional drummer," Vanderhoof points out. "He has propelled us to a musical level thatsurprised evenourselves." Plate has replaced Kirk Arrington, who left the group for health reasons, and proves a real stroke of luck on "ALight In The Dark".In 2008, guitarist Jay Reynolds was replaced by Rottweiler guitar player Rick Van Zandt. This Present Wasteland, Metal Church's ninthrelease, isa return to their roots and contains some of their strongest material to date. « hide

    Similar Bands: Overkill, Flotsam and Jetsam, Metallica, Judas Priest, Savatage

    LPs
    Dead to Rights
    2026

    Congregation Of Annihilation
    2023

    3.2
    26 Votes
    Damned If You Do
    2018

    3.5
    53 Votes
    XI
    2016

    3.5
    75 Votes
    Generation Nothing
    10/22/2013

    2.6
    46 Votes
    This Present Wasteland
    2008

    3.3
    59 Votes
    A Light In The Dark
    2006

    3.5
    67 Votes
    The Weight Of The World
    2004

    3
    61 Votes
    Masterpeace
    1999

    3.1
    71 Votes
    Hanging In The Balance
    1993

    3.7
    102 Votes
    The Human Factor
    1991

    3.8
    128 Votes
    Blessing In Disguise
    1989

    4.1
    208 Votes
    The Dark
    1986

    4
    270 Votes
    Metal Church
    1984

    4.2
    398 Votes
    EPs
    '90 Demo
    1990

    Death Wish
    1984

    Demo 1983
    1983

    Four Hymns
    1982

    3.3
    2 Votes
    Hitman
    1982

    Red Skies
    1981

    3
    2 Votes
    Live Albums
    The Final Sermon (Live In Japan 2019)
    2024

    3.8
    2 Votes
    Classic Live
    2017

    3.5
    4 Votes
    Dynamo Classic Concerts 1991
    2007

    Live
    1998

    3.5
    14 Votes
    Live In Japan
    1998

    3.3
    4 Votes
    Compilations
    The Best Of Mike Howe 2016-2021
    2022

    4.5
    1 Votes
    From The Vault
    2020

    4
    11 Votes
    Return of the Fake Healer
    2020

    The Elektra Years 1984-1989
    2020

    Beyond the Black
    2019

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