Metal Church - Self-Titled (1984)

"Good ol' Metal Church." That's basically what the elderly woman at the record store said when I bought this album awhile back. I only heard the song "Metal Church" on accident and I was searching quite a lot until I found out this particular group sang it and I've loved it ever since. I could definitely speak infinitely of them--this album, more importantly.

"Metal Church" is MC's debut album with vocalist David Wayne (Who also provided vocals for MC's "The Dark" and "Masterpeace"). They started in the early '80s under the name Shrapnel. Truly, their music was melodic, yet burning like fire, which can easily be heard on this album. Kurdt Vanderhoof's riffs in all of the songs are fast, memorable, precise, and skillful while David Wayne sang his heart out hitting high-scale keys perfectly with a raspy growl towards it that nobody can beat.

Now that looked like a fun photo shoot.

In this album, Metal Church put the pedal to the metal with intense lyrics, riffs, vocals, and general band compatibility. Saying that, this album definitely reflected off of it with an ambient-esque beginning with "Beyond the Black" to the A+ in effort and style of the last track "Highway Star" (Originally by Deep Purple). It's relentless, fast, and easily memorable for any die-hard metal fanatic.

LINEUP:
David Wayne: Vocals
Kurdt Vanderhoof: Guitars
Duke Erickson: Bass
Craig Wells: Guitars
Kirk Arrington: Drums

TRACK LISTING
Beyond the Black – 6:23
Metal Church – 5:03
Merciless Onslaught – 2:54
Gods of Wrath – 6:41'
Hitman – 4:39
In the Blood – 3:31
(My Favorite) Nightmare – 3:12
Battalions – 4:53
Highway Star – 4:39

Final thoughts on Metal Church's "Metal Church": 42 minutes of a unique twist to thrash that's simply one of the best albums of its kind. 10/10.

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