Metal Church - "The Dark" (1986)

Metal Church came back with another album that arrived into the already-developed thrash scene--"The Dark"! The production and intensity have risen since the self-titled release and for obvious reasons, easily said.

I can't tell if Wayne's wearing a wig . . .

This album has a few thrash classics including the first track with face-melting yelling and hard drumming in "Ton of Bricks." The next track "Start the Fire" is catchy and makes you headbang like there's no tomorrow. The last of the "thrash classics" I've mentioned is "Watch the Children Pray," which has actually had a music video running in circulation on VH1. Anyways, the album is insanely great up until "Psycho." After that, it kind of degrades and loses its shine. Regardless, this is a must-have thrash album.

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

TRACK LISTING:
Ton of Bricks – 3:00
Start the Fire – 3:50
Method to Your Madness – 4:52
Watch the Children Pray – 5:57
Over My Dead Body – 3:36
The Dark – 4:11
Psycho – 3:32
Line of Death – 4:42
Burial at Sea – 4:58
Western Alliance – 3:18

Final thoughts on Metal Church's "The Dark": It's an overall enjoyable album, but the last four tracks are the ones that aren't exactly as well as the others. 8.5/10.

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Edguy - "Kingdom of Madness" (1997)

Now here's a definite power metal band to look forward to; It's Edguy and it's their first album "Kingdom of Madness"! If you love power metal and/or true metal hailing from Germany, this one sure is a keeper.

Now this album starts with a pretty sweet intro, I'll tell you. It reminds me of . . . a Spanish guitar and it's enjoyable and relaxing. After this, it goes into your typical power metal point which makes you feel like headbanging. In fact, the whole album is like this and I don't believe there's any songs that are easily to be skipped, but maybe you'd want to get through the 18 minute song as fast as you can because it's too damned long!! Overall, it's a well done power metal staple--yet surprisingly it came out in the late '90s! Shock!

LINEUP:
Tobias Sammet: Vocals, keyboards, bass.
Jens Ludwig: Guitars.
Dirk Sauer: Guitars.
Dominick Storch: Drums.

Credits to: Chris Boltendahl (Vocals, co-vocals on "The Kingdom")

TRACK LISTING:
Paradise – 6:24
Wings of a Dream – 5:24
Heart of Twilight – 5:32
Dark Symphony – 1:05
Deadmaker – 5:15
Angel Rebellion – 6:44
When a Hero Cries – 3:59
Steel Church – 6:29
The Kingdom – 18:23

Final thoughts on Edguy's "Kingdom of Madness": It's an energetic, fun power metal album that any metal enthusiast would enjoy. It doesn't degrade at any time. 8/10.

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