Metal Church

Metal Church's debut album is one of those timeless classics that still holds its own easily among both its peers and all the newer albums that have been released since. Simply put, it is one of the best metal albums ever released...and the Music On Vinyl label has treated it with due honor and proper respect by putting out this fantastic remaster of it. Most of the time these days, remastering engineers just crank the volume way up and crush the sound until it's just a wall of noise that hurts the brain. Music On Vinyl, however, does not do this disservice. This Metal Church remaster retains all of the dynamics that are supposed to be there. On top of that, it sounds truly better than ever. The 180g vinyl is nice and quiet, too. Hard to tell it's even still spinning on the turntable between songs, it's so quiet. The packaging is top notch, as well. All original artwork, no tampering with that.If you're a metalhead and you listen to vinyl, but don't have this...GET IT. While you're at it, go ahead and get their Blessing In Disguise album, too, which is also reissued by Music On Vinyl.

I remember when this album first dropped back in 1984. Just having the word "metal" in their name was enough for me to take a chance on this Seattle band. This album is stellar from start to finish. David Wayne's vocals are incredible. They even do a cover of the Deep Purple classic "Highway Star" and they knock it out of the ball park. Check out "Hitman," "Beyond the Black," and "Gods of Wrath."

Metal Church are no more, David Wayne is gone, but they left us a considerable recorded legacy of more hits than misses. Their first hit is this gem right here-METAL CHURCH. This LP has one of the best 1-2-3-4 track sequencing you can get for your money in more "mainstream" metal. "Beyond the Black" kicks things off with some good ol' 1980's nuclear war paranoia, then slides right into "Metal Church" which has a chorus that David Wayne just destroys with his excellent vocals. "Merciless Onslaught" is next, an instrumental that allows you to catch your breath before the 'Church brings out the songwriting equivalent of a Nebelwerfer: GODS OF WRATH. Craig Wells and Kurdt Vanderhoof link their riffs up in chorus to induce an irresistible neck-snapping barrage of guitar mayhem. Then of course David Wayne is howling like a banshee over the top of said guitars and a very solid rhythm section, it is just IMMENSE, and one of the classic moments in US metal. The other half of the LP plays well also, with some goodies like "Hitman" and "In the Blood." "(My Favorite) Nightmare" really stands out in the later innings, and the only low point for me was the "Highway Star" cover--not because its bad, or I dislike Deep Purple; very much the opposite--the song has just been overplayed to me, but the 'Church do a solid job of it. Essential purchase here folks, got to have this one in your collection to call yerself "METALHEAD."

One of the BEST debut Metal albums of all time. To my ears, Metal Church is that "missing link" between classic Heavy Metal and Thrash. Bit of nostalgia for me as they were on the bill for my first concert ever in June of 1987. They were touring on The Dark album (almost as good BTW) w/Anthrax on their Among the Living tour. Riffage for MILES on this one. Crank it and enjoy the glory days of Metal!

As a another long lost group from the 80's HEAVY METAL/THRASHscene, Metal Church's debut album is a solid album with a well produced but still nice and raw sound that any one who canremember this scene,from what seems like way back when, can appriecate. Probably their best album although THE DARK is stillwell worth checking out as well. If you need any more proof, go and see them on their current tour with WASP/LA GUNS/STEPHEN PEARCY. When I saw them on that tour at the House of Blues in Cleveland, OH in July of 2005 I was worried they would be one of those OLD WORN OUT, WAY PAST THEIR PRIME, JUST OUT TO COLLECT A PAYCHECK GROUP like many of semi-memorible 80's bandsof today. Boy was I WRONG!!!!!! Instead in just 5 songs and around 30 min. they blew every one away and made many of us who were there to see everyone BUT THEM will they were the closers and not the ones to open the show.

Metal Church never got huge, but this CD sold well. 85 was a good year for thrash/Metal in general, and this CD is near the top of the heap! The first 4 tracks flow perfectly. The production and mix still sound good today (nearly 25 years later). The follow up 'The Dark' was good as well, but this is their best CD.Only complaint is that is so short. Only 8 tracks (excluding Highway Star cover). This is a classic and a good representation of a great time in metal.

Metal Church's s/t first album is a great addition to any headbangers collection ! I had to repurchase this for mine was lost somewhere ?! In my opinion this is the bands best album . There is some excellent musicianship and vocals on this album . Off the top of my head I am unsure of the original release date , but I owned it on tape as well , lol . If that isn't enough to get you to buy it , look at the price , hell of a deal !

Like a lot of stuff as a teen, I bought this on vinyl when it was originally released based on the album cover.As with Show No Mercy, Bonded by Blood, Spreading the Disease, or Kill 'em All, this debut is a pillar of what true 80's metal is all about. Instant classic and every track is solid.