Year : 2026 (Reaper Entertainment Records Edition)
Style : Heavy Metal , Power Metal , Hard Rock
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 141 mb
Bio:
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 a deal with Elektra records, they released two critically acclaimed albums. Their self-titled release "Metal Church" postured the band as one of the pioneers of the thrash/metal scene. The All Music Guide had this to say about the debut: "The band's incredibly tight musicianship is a highlight all on it's own. This album remains an overlooked classic of straight-ahead American-bred heavy metal." With the heavy metal scene starting to rise 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. The Dark also led to one of a few lineup changes with the departure of vocalist David Wayne. However, more success was yet to come. With the addition of former Heretic vocalist Mike Howe, and Metallica guitar tech extraordinaire John Marshall, the riffing became heavier and the subject matter deeper. They tackled political and social issues of the day with the releases of "Blessing In Disguise" and "The Human Factor." At a time when heavy metal bands moved from the underground and became part of the hair band/pop fad, Metal Church stayed true to their roots.During the mid 90's, the members of Metal Church headed in their own directions. Kurdt Vanderhoof worked on his namesake project, Vanderhoof, while Kirk Arrington was playing on various sessions including a recording with Sir Mix-A-Lot. 1999 led to a well-received reunion of the original Metal Church lineup with the release of "Masterpeace". The band went back to their classic sound and played several festivals overseas.2004 saw them back with new vocalist, Ronny Munroe, whose style has been described as "Rob Halford meets Dio", as well as Jay Reynolds (Malice) on guitar and Steve Unger on bass. With a new record "The Weight of the World" and some new blood, heavy metal legends Metal Church 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", forging a creative arch that skillfully links the band's past with the present. Ten new tracks, (plus a new version of the classic "Watch The Children Pray", a tribute to original frontman David Wayne), document the development of a band that, despite all innovation, has never denied it's typical trademarks. The current lineup consists of Kurdt Vanderhoof, Ronny Munroe, Jay Reynolds, Steve Unger and new addition Jeff Plate on drums. "Jeff is an incredibly dynamic and professional drummer," Vanderhoof points out. "He has propelled us to a musical level that surprised even ourselves." Plate has replaced Kirk Arrington, who left the group for health reasons, and proves a real stroke of luck on "A Light In The Dark".In 2008, guitarist Jay Reynolds was replaced by Rottweiler guitar player Rick Van Zandt. This Present Wasteland, Metal Church's ninth release, is a return to their roots and contains some of their strongest material to date.In October 2012, the band announced resumption of activity around a lineup featuring Vanderhoof, Munroe, Unger, Reynolds (soon replaced by Van Zandt), and Plate. Their first performances came the following January during the 70,000 Tons of Metal event, a heavy metal cruise. During one of these two shows, the band played their debut album, Metal Church, in its entirety.Shortly thereafter, Vanderhoof told Music Life Radio that Metal Church has been working on a new album. In order to promote their new album, the band will be playing festivals in the summer of 2013.
Album:
Reaper Entertainment Records Edition with new bonus track.Dead to Rights is the upcoming fourteenth studio album by American heavy metal band Metal Church, due for release on April 10, 2026.It will mark the debut of the band's new lineup, with vocalist Brian Allen, bassist David Ellefson and drummer Ken Mary replacing Marc Lopes, Steve Unger and Stet Howland, respectively.Speaking recently on The David Ellefson Show podcast, Metal Church guitarist and founding member Kurdt Vanderhoof told how the band seemed to have come to an end following the departure of drummer Stet Howland who was not happy with the way business was going. With some other members feeling the same, Vanderhoof decided that Metal Church was to be no more.Fast-forward eighteen months and the unexpected arrival of an audition tape from vocalist Brian Allen, things began to suggest that perhaps, Metal Church was not ready to die just yet. Those tapes – which Allen had been encouraged to submit by Queensrÿche frontman Todd La Torre – contained songs from both the David Wayne and Mike Howe eras of the band. It was more than enough to convince Vanderhoof that Metal Church could rise once again. The subsequent additions of David Ellefson on bass and Ken Mary on drums, alongside long-time guitarist Rick Van Zandt, completed the line-up.“This new album is very special to me for one reason: the band was over, and I honestly didn’t see it being resurrected. But somehow, it brought itself back to life—again!” exclaims Kurdt Vanderhoof. “I’m incredibly proud of these new songs; they hit hard. Brian Allen brings the classic Metal Church sound to the vocals, and adding a rhythm section with musicians of the calibre of Dave Ellefson and Ken Mary makes this a force to be reckoned with. If you enjoy classic Metal Church, you’re going to love this record.” Dead To Rights opens with Brainwash Game – recently released as a single – a thunderous, no-nonsense thrash-tinged heavy metal anthem - in short, everything a fan might want from Metal Church. Vanderhoof and Van Zandt trade energetic, serrated riffs and appealing melodic runs respectively. Dave Ellfeson’s bass work is exemplary; subtle enough to not overpower but present enough to add real heft. Lyrically, it is a blunt take on manipulation, misinformation and willingly giving up independent thought. Winning or losing, it’s all so confusing / When you don’t know wrong from right / The path you are choosing / The truth you’re refusing / Society’s new parasite. Unyielding and sinewy in his vocal delivery, Brian Allen is perfectly suited to Metal Church and we already feel as if the album is in safe hands.F.A.F.O – released as a single in November – increases the tempo and intensity. A snarling, gallop-driven thrash assault that would sit happily in the eighties, it is packed with attitude, savage vocals and coruscating drums from Ken Mary. Coming across like a rediscovered classic, each element is aligned with absolute precision, right down to the fiery guitar solo. There is a confidence and swagger to Metal Church that runs throughout the album and this is evident on title track Dead To Rights. It may not be revolutionary or break new ground in terms of its approach but with each member of the band an experienced and well-seasoned member of the heavy metal fraternity, it is assured judgement and compositional intelligence. The songwriting is strong, the pacing measured and effective, and the performances carry a natural elegance that underlines the band’s deep understanding of their craft.Deep Cover Shakedown tackles the subject of those who manipulate others from the shadows – opportunists and authority figures who feed off confusion while pretending to be in control. Snake bites, troglodytes / All of you are parasites / Scavengers on everything we do / Dark days, strange ways / Living in a purple haze / What the hell you think we’re gonna do? With a grittier, grimier aura aided by consistent rumble of Ellefson’s bass, Deep Cover Shakedown adds a little more groove to proceedings. Allen continues to spit his vocals with a battle-hardened determination and his truculent vocals are a true highlight of this incarnation of Metal Church.Feet To The Fire – which makes its mark initially with a relentless barrage of riffs - adds another dimension to Dead To Rights. Even during a quieter, central section, Vanderhoof’s insistent rhythm guitar remains in the background. This brooding segment – something similar also appearing in subsequent track The Show - gives Feet To the Fire a mysterious personality as guitar, bass and drums play in almost gentle contemplation before the main riff returns and the band attack, leading then to a brooding guitar solo which sits apart from others on the album.Across Dead To Rights, Metal Church are prepared to explore a range of difficult subjects and on Heaven Knows (Slip Away) they capture the feeling of being worn down by life, guilt and repetition. Making it from day to night / Waking up each day to find / Walking in the ruins of a war / What the hell is in my head? / I’ve become the walking dead / Devil’s breathing down my back again. Introspective and pensive the lyrics may be - which Vanderhoof states are partly about putting the band back together - but the music is far from it. Belligerent and pulverising, it stakes its claim as one of the album’s heaviest tracks and a serious contender for the best song here. Allen sounds unhinged in the best possible way, while Ellefson and Mary play as if they have developed a chemistry over many years. Following Heaven Knows (Slip Away), both No Memory and Wasted Time play their part, even though they feel more straightforward and do not demand the same attention or carry quite the same impact as the material that surrounds them.With blistering pace and frenetic vigour, My Wrath brings Dead To Rights to a close with a final surge of intent that sharpens the album’s focus again. Lyrically, it centres on drawing a line in the sand, rejecting intimidation and ego and making it clear that there are consequences when respect has been exhausted. Wide awake with anger in my heart / Don’t you mess with me / You will cease to be / You can’t fake it; you have played your part / Look into my eyes / To doubt would be unwise. Paired with Brainwash Game, it gives Dead To Rights a sense of symmetry, opening and closing on the kind of hard‑driving material that defines Metal Church.Dead To Rights more than justifies the case for Metal Church continuing rather than closing the book. Vanderhoof and Van Zandt provide shape and continuity and the introduction of Elleson and Mary is inspired. Musically, this is an extremely strong line-up; however, it is Brian Allen who leaves the strongest imprint when listening to the album. His vocals bind the record together, confidently moving between the sound of different eras without sounding referential and giving every song a sense of commitment that never wavers. Vanderhoof is rightly proud that the band have continued and Dead To Rights goes far beyond merely proving a point; it illustrates the skills and the determination of a line-up intent on revitalising the Metal Church legacy. Potent, purposeful and uncompromising.
Line-Up:
Brian Allen - Vocals (2025-present) - See also: Dark Arena, Trauma, ex-BloodStone, ex-Dark Sky Choir, ex-Father Mary, ex-Last Empire, ex-Two Headed Beast, ex-Vicious Rumors
Kurdt Vanderhoof - Guitars (1982-1987, 1998-2009, 2012-present) - See also: Presto Ballet, ex-Vanderhoof, ex-Hall Aflame, ex-The Lewd
Rick van Zandt - Guitars (2008-2009, 2012-present) - See also: ex-Rottweiller
David Ellefson - Bass (2025-present) - See also: Altitudes & Attitude, Dieth, Ellefson, Ellefson-Soto, Metal Allegiance, Category 7 (live), Cultura Tres (live), ex-Knight Fury, ex-Temple of Brutality, Hail!, Kings of Thrash, The Lucid, ex-Angels of Babylon, ex-Megadeth, ex-The Alien Blakk, ex-Overkill (live), ex-Soulfly (live), ex-Tim Ripper Owens (live), ex-F5, ex-Iron Steel, ex-Killing Machine, ex-Fallen Angels, ex-Killers, ex-MegaPriest, ex-Renegade, ex-TOZ, ex-Ronnie Montrose (live)
Ken Mary - Drums (2025-present) - See also: Fifth Angel, Flotsam and Jetsam, ex-Knight Fury, Demons Down, Giuffria, Once Bitten, ex-Accept, ex-Chastain, ex-Impellitteri, ex-James Byrd, ex-Leather (live), ex-Strike, ex-TKO, ex-Alice Cooper, ex-Bad Moon Rising, ex-House of Lords, ex-Magdallan, ex-Randy Hansen, ex-Soul Shock Remedy, ex-Jack Russell's Great White (live)
Tracklist:
01. Brainwash Game 04:31
02. F.A.F.O 03:46
03. Dead to Rights 06:06
04. Deep Cover Shakedown 04:22
05. Feet to Fire 05:42
06. The Show 05:11
07. Heaven Knows (Slip Away) 04:34
08. No Memory 04:29
09. Wasted Time 03:58
10. My Wrath 04:32
11. Yesterday Begins (Bonus Track)
12. Blood and Water (Bonus Track)
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