This album blew me away!! So glad I rediscovered them. Such an awesome band , hopefully they will continue to bring out such instant classics like this 🤘🏻
I didn't realize this was coming out so quickly. Seems like they just announced the new singer. He sounds like a cross between David Wayne and Jon Oliva. I heard the first song and ordered it. Was nice n' heavy.
I'll always listen to a new Metal Church album. I've liked almost everything they've done ("Hanging in the Balance" didn't quite do it for me). Thanks for the reminder on this one, Pete!
Great to see Metal Church endure after the recent tragedies. Pick A God and Prey is an earworm. The guitars are great and for me this album serves it purpose and has a good variety of tracks.
Thanks, Pete, for the weekly new product shows - particularly the plethora of them this week. Lots of interesting and new music. Really appreciate these episodes and will give the Metal Church album a listen over the next few days. Have enjoyed the albums of theirs bought in the last few years after hearing about them on the SoT channel. Thanks again.
Howe was literally my favorite singer other than Dio. So, yeah I wasn't sure what to think as a fan, if they would keep going or not and or if I myself as a fan really wanted them to or not but I'm so glad they did. This album is excellent. I love the Howe return era albums, lots of good songs but I think this album is just far more consistent than either of those albums. Long Live the Church.
Another worthy addition to the Metal Church catalog! As long as Kurt is involved it is always going to retain that MC sound. Lopes does a nice job, calling to mind the vocals of David Wayne. As someone mentioned, he could maybe exercise a bit more restraint on certain parts but I get that he's showing what he can do. Pick a God and Pray and Me the Nothing are my two favorites, but all are killer. Nice job on the review, Pete!
I LOVE Mike Howes vocals so I was hesitant but I heard the album a few days ago and enjoyed it quite a bit and the singer sounds really good to me. As long as Kurdt is involved it is Metal Church in my book. I'll be buying the CD.
I like the instrumentals but I'm not a big fan of the new singer. Cool though that they are still making albums even with band members passing away sadly.
I agree. Me The Nothing is my favorite but the entire thing is awesome. I think the singer does a really great job. Really great. The first album, The Dark, Masterpiece and this one is my favorites.
From songwriting and sounding a really good album. What the problem for me is is Marc Lopes, overall the voice fits in the trashiger sound of this album, but his far too exaggerated, long drawn out high pitching yelling goes way too far. Less is usually better. Songwriting wise its a 8/10 with the vocals a 7/10. Outstanding songs : me the nothing, making monsters and congregation of annihilation
I always loved this band since I was a kid. I remember sneaking into my brother's room to "borrow" The Dark on cassette tape. The debut will always reign supreme but most of their albums are bangers. I like this album musically but the vocals are unintentionally hilarious at times. I still think its good though
I have been a fan since their first album.....this album is HOT! 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 Takes about 6 liistens....you will get it for TODAY...this is the year the public will know them soon....and KNOW what i know that their music is superior to all music available.
Personally I need to give it a few more listens before I either keep it nearby or put it to the back of the shelf. When the new singer was announced I went and listened to the Ross the Boss albums he is on and I think I prefer that performance. On this album it sounds like he is trying to do an amalgamation of the previous Metal Church vocalists.
OMG Kirk too!? I always knew he had T1 Diabetes (as i do) it's why he had to leave early. Loved his style. THIS is an amazing album! I would say the best since the 1st. Thats saying something if you knew me. The new singer is a perfect fit. (i had no idea he was working with ManoWar). His voice is more powerful than David Wayne's. I'd love to hear his vocals covering the first two MC recordings. Easily the best metal this year.
.., one of the legendary heavy metal bands of the 1980's has somewhat returned to the rooted musical sensibility or successful formula of their earlier years on this release (this being the outfit's 13th full-length studio effort) with the lone remaining original member being guitarist, founder and songwriter: KURDT VANDERHOOF . .., they have gone through numerous key member changes of vocalist (DAVID 'REVEREND' WAYNE, r.i.p and former HERETIC: MIKE HOWE, r.i.p with others such as RONNY MUNROE that had a stint in Kurdt Vanderhoof's progressive rock project: PRESTO BALLET) this album, introduces and showcases the amazing pipes of former MANOWAR's guitarist: ROSS THE BOSS outfit and MELIAH RAGE's front-man: MARC LOPES .. .., drummers (KIRK ARRINGTON, r.i.p and JEFF PLATE) Kirk had passed away within days of this new album's release, having played on all of the band's albums from 1984 to 2004 with the initial 3 ("Metal Church" - 1984, "The Dark" - 1986 and "Blessing in Disguise" - 1989) being the most memorable or recommended classics! . .., resigned are CRAIG WELLS (guitar), DUKE ERIKSON (bass) and JOHN MARSHALL (guitar) with a couple of new faces: RICK VAN ZANDT (guitar), STEVE UNGER (bass) making presence as since around 2008 and STET HOWLAND (drums) contributor on a series of W.A.S.P albums, having been in the inset from 2018 ..
Like Armored Saint, Metal Church are another band who should've been much bigger but somehow didn't get the breaks they deserved. Been following them since their debut. Great to see them return after the tragic loss of Mike Howe. Love the new album and new singer. Only downside for me is that the production could've been better, but that aside, an excellent metal album.
I would say what stalled the band was waiting too long to do a follow up to The Dark. And it wasn't because David left band; he was still in the band in 1988. Waiting three years to do a follow up was a big mistake. Three years was an eternity by 80's standards. Priest and Maiden released an album every year from 1980-1984.
Great album! My favorite tracks are the title track,Me the Nothing, Children of the Lie! 4/5 But the vocalist was all over the place on all of the songs. He has great range but on the next album he has to slow it down just a little bit! He was trying too hard!
Material is worthy of the band name. The new singer fits well for this type of material. I wish more of the '80s acts would at least attempt to produce credible material like this instead of just playing an oldies set list live. Zero interest now in the bands who only do that. .38 Special is a good example of that.
It's great. It gets better with every listen. Me the nothing, both the singles the title track and Children of the Lie (which could easily fit onto The Dark album IMO) all great tracks.
If I have one issue, I'd wish Marc would dial back the vocals a bit. They come off as a bit to try hard. I'm not a fan of Tim Owens for the same reason. Vocals don't always need to be at 110% all the time.
The best track for me is Me the Nothing. I like what Marc is doing with his voice all the way through this song. I think he's got a great voice for Metal Church but I just wish he had used his power metal voice 50% more and the other thrash screaming type stuff 50% less. He's going way over the top a lot of the time and I don't like it. I'm really surprised that Kurt signed off on these vocals. I mean the guy has everything needed for Metal Church but I don't agree with the choices they made with the singing.
I thought I was the only one who thought Lopes was not very good, but there are a few out there anyway. He sounds like an amateur on this new record, and Making Monsters made me laugh out loud at how bad it was, then I was sad....not getting this. Disappointed.
Many good songs with some great riffs. Singer is also great and fits perfect to Metal Church but is tryin to hard sometimes. Think I would love the album if there wouldn't be this ugly brickwalled compressed sound, which makes me unable to listen this album in a whole.
It's not good and doesn't sound like good Metal Church at all, the singing is just awful and makes it not enjoyable. The first Metal Church is a classic, the Dark & Blessing are really good too but I really hate this album. 0/5 for the singing alone, its unlistenable.
Would love to see a Metal church ranking the albums episode
That is a great idea!
I would love that too! Great band.
Another great record for 2023.
This album blew me away!! So glad I rediscovered them. Such an awesome band , hopefully they will continue to bring out such instant classics like this 🤘🏻
Good record. Highlights are 'Me the nothing' & 'Making monsters'
I didn't realize this was coming out so quickly. Seems like they just announced the new singer. He sounds like a cross between David Wayne and Jon Oliva.
I heard the first song and ordered it. Was nice n' heavy.
Listening...thank you Pete for share new music every wednesday
my copy has just arrived,,superb,awesome,all pray at the altar of METAL CHURCH
I'll always listen to a new Metal Church album. I've liked almost everything they've done ("Hanging in the Balance" didn't quite do it for me). Thanks for the reminder on this one, Pete!
Great to see Metal Church endure after the recent tragedies. Pick A God and Prey is an earworm. The guitars are great and for me this album serves it purpose and has a good variety of tracks.
Stet Howland PROVES he is a Pure Rockstar on this! They ALL do!
Thanks, Pete, for the weekly new product shows - particularly the plethora of them this week. Lots of interesting and new music. Really appreciate these episodes and will give the Metal Church album a listen over the next few days. Have enjoyed the albums of theirs bought in the last few years after hearing about them on the SoT channel. Thanks again.
Excellent release 👍🏻- coming to Ft. Myers, FL., August 8th.
I'm glad to see them going on as well. I have been a fan since the first album.
Howe was literally my favorite singer other than Dio. So, yeah I wasn't sure what to think as a fan, if they would keep going or not and or if I myself as a fan really wanted them to or not but I'm so glad they did. This album is excellent. I love the Howe return era albums, lots of good songs but I think this album is just far more consistent than either of those albums. Long Live the Church.
Another worthy addition to the Metal Church catalog! As long as Kurt is involved it is always going to retain that MC sound. Lopes does a nice job, calling to mind the vocals of David Wayne. As someone mentioned, he could maybe exercise a bit more restraint on certain parts but I get that he's showing what he can do. Pick a God and Pray and Me the Nothing are my two favorites, but all are killer. Nice job on the review, Pete!
Cool!! Just listened to Wayne Metal Church album.. Great album!!
A very solid album, in my opinion. Listened to it a few times already and am enjoying it immensely.
😊same
Great review. This is like every recent Metal Church album it is awesome from front to back!
I LOVE Mike Howes vocals so I was hesitant but I heard the album a few days ago and enjoyed it quite a bit and the singer sounds really good to me. As long as Kurdt is involved it is Metal Church in my book. I'll be buying the CD.
I like the instrumentals but I'm not a big fan of the new singer. Cool though that they are still making albums even with band members passing away sadly.
I wasn't sold on the new singer with the first single, but I got over that. I really like this album. Solid release.
Great album. ”Me the nothing” and ”Making monsters” are the best tracks in my opinion.
I agree. Me The Nothing is my favorite but the entire thing is awesome. I think the singer does a really great job. Really great. The first album, The Dark, Masterpiece and this one is my favorites.
@@todddavis4274 great choices!
Hi Pete. I love Metal Church and will definitely be checking this out.
Pump up the volume Pete!...
Amazing after all these years : they are still around. Great review, I’ll eventually get to. LOL thx again. PETE 👍💯
From songwriting and sounding a really good album. What the problem for me is is Marc Lopes, overall the voice fits in the trashiger sound of this album, but his far too exaggerated, long drawn out high pitching yelling goes way too far. Less is usually better. Songwriting wise its a 8/10 with the vocals a 7/10. Outstanding songs : me the nothing, making monsters and congregation of annihilation
Sounds good will check this out
I always loved this band since I was a kid. I remember sneaking into my brother's room to "borrow" The Dark on cassette tape. The debut will always reign supreme but most of their albums are bangers. I like this album musically but the vocals are unintentionally hilarious at times. I still think its good though
Looking forward to this album
That must be the Metallest album title in Metal :-) Love it!
Cheers.
I have been a fan since their first album.....this album is HOT! 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 Takes about 6 liistens....you will get it for TODAY...this is the year the public will know them soon....and KNOW what i know that their music is superior to all music available.
Love it. Marc is a great addition.
Personally I need to give it a few more listens before I either keep it nearby or put it to the back of the shelf. When the new singer was announced I went and listened to the Ross the Boss albums he is on and I think I prefer that performance. On this album it sounds like he is trying to do an amalgamation of the previous Metal Church vocalists.
I will definitely get this album.
My favorite used to be ”The Dark”. It is possible ”Congregation…” is my new favorite.
It feels faster and thrashier🤟🏻😎🤟🏻
Blessing in disguise
Greatest album of all time
Metal Church all the damn time!🤘
OMG Kirk too!? I always knew he had T1 Diabetes (as i do) it's why he had to leave early. Loved his style.
THIS is an amazing album! I would say the best since the 1st. Thats saying something if you knew me. The new singer is a perfect fit. (i had no idea he was working with ManoWar). His voice is more powerful than David Wayne's. I'd love to hear his vocals covering the first two MC recordings.
Easily the best metal this year.
It’s a good album. Good solid heavy metal album ❤
.., one of the legendary heavy metal bands of the 1980's has somewhat returned to the rooted musical sensibility or successful formula of their earlier years on this release (this being the outfit's 13th full-length studio effort) with the lone remaining original member being guitarist, founder and songwriter: KURDT
VANDERHOOF .
.., they have gone through numerous key member changes of vocalist (DAVID 'REVEREND' WAYNE, r.i.p and former HERETIC: MIKE HOWE, r.i.p with others such as RONNY MUNROE that had a stint in Kurdt Vanderhoof's progressive rock project: PRESTO BALLET) this album, introduces and showcases the amazing pipes of former MANOWAR's guitarist: ROSS THE BOSS outfit and MELIAH RAGE's front-man: MARC LOPES ..
.., drummers (KIRK ARRINGTON, r.i.p and JEFF PLATE) Kirk had passed away within days of this new album's release, having played on all of the band's albums from 1984 to 2004 with the initial 3 ("Metal Church" - 1984, "The Dark" - 1986 and "Blessing in Disguise" - 1989) being the most memorable or recommended classics! .
.., resigned are CRAIG WELLS (guitar), DUKE ERIKSON (bass) and JOHN MARSHALL (guitar) with a couple of new faces: RICK VAN ZANDT (guitar), STEVE UNGER (bass) making presence as since around 2008 and STET HOWLAND (drums) contributor on a series of W.A.S.P albums, having been in the inset from 2018 ..
That is an amazing album i love it
Killer album from the Mighty Metal Church!
Metal Church.
It's a church a lot of people come and go it's all about the metal
Great album, as good as anything they've done after those classic first 3 or 4 albums..
Its LOPES not LOPEZ
Convinced. Off to buy it today. My wife will bill you.
❤love the new album
Mark Lopes is solid
Great album, singer has similarities to David Wayne,
I hope Kurdt comes back on the channel, I thought he was great.
Like Armored Saint, Metal Church are another band who should've been much bigger but somehow didn't get the breaks they deserved. Been following them since their debut. Great to see them return after the tragic loss of Mike Howe. Love the new album and new singer. Only downside for me is that the production could've been better, but that aside, an excellent metal album.
I would say what stalled the band was waiting too long to do a follow up to The Dark. And it wasn't because David left band; he was still in the band in 1988. Waiting three years to do a follow up was a big mistake. Three years was an eternity by 80's standards. Priest and Maiden released an album every year from 1980-1984.
Great album! My favorite tracks are the title track,Me the Nothing, Children of the Lie! 4/5 But the vocalist was all over the place on all of the songs. He has great range but on the next album he has to slow it down just a little bit! He was trying too hard!
How many times have you listened to the album my brother?
Please, rank this albums with Jack.
It’s damn great
This vocalist is Holy Terrors' reincarnated
Material is worthy of the band name. The new singer fits well for this type of material. I wish more of the '80s acts would at least attempt to produce credible material like this instead of just playing an oldies set list live. Zero interest now in the bands who only do that. .38 Special is a good example of that.
It's great. It gets better with every listen. Me the nothing, both the singles the title track and Children of the Lie (which could easily fit onto The Dark album IMO) all great tracks.
If I have one issue, I'd wish Marc would dial back the vocals a bit. They come off as a bit to try hard. I'm not a fan of Tim Owens for the same reason. Vocals don't always need to be at 110% all the time.
RIP Kirk
The best track for me is Me the Nothing. I like what Marc is doing with his voice all the way through this song. I think he's got a great voice for Metal Church but I just wish he had used his power metal voice 50% more and the other thrash screaming type stuff 50% less. He's going way over the top a lot of the time and I don't like it. I'm really surprised that Kurt signed off on these vocals. I mean the guy has everything needed for Metal Church but I don't agree with the choices they made with the singing.
I thought I was the only one who thought Lopes was not very good, but there are a few out there anyway. He sounds like an amateur on this new record, and Making Monsters made me laugh out loud at how bad it was, then I was sad....not getting this. Disappointed.
Many good songs with some great riffs. Singer is also great and fits perfect to Metal Church but is tryin to hard sometimes. Think I would love the album if there wouldn't be this ugly brickwalled compressed sound, which makes me unable to listen this album in a whole.
Not my cup of tea.
Worst album from METAL CHURCH
It's not good and doesn't sound like good Metal Church at all, the singing is just awful and makes it not enjoyable. The first Metal Church is a classic, the Dark & Blessing are really good too but I really hate this album. 0/5 for the singing alone, its unlistenable.