Post Description

Metal Church - Metal Church (1985)
Heavy Metal  MP3 CBR 320Kbps | 9 Tracks
Covers Included | Elektra | 960471-2 |  102 Mb | 

“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!".

Tracklist:

01. Beyond the Black (6:21)
02. Metal Church (5:02)
03. Merciless Onslaught (2:56)
04. Gods of Wrath (6:41)
05. Hitman (4:36)
06. In the Blood (3:31)
07. (My Favorite) Nightmare (3:11)
08. Battalions (4:55)
09. Highway Star (4:38)

Personnel:

David Wayne - vocals
Kurdt Vanderhoof - guitar
Craig Wells - guitar
Duke Erickson - bass guitar
Kirk Arrington - drums