METAL CHURCH — Metal Church (review)

METAL CHURCH — Metal Church album cover Album · 1984 · US Power Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Kingcrimsonprog
The year is 1984, the place is Seattle, the producer is Terry Date and the label is Ground Zero (later reissued on Elektra at Metallica frontman James Hetfield’s insistence). Five young intrepid musicians make a unique spins on the various Heavy Metal styles of the time. Not quite the Thrashiest album, not quite the proto-prog developing with the likes of fellow Seattle band Queensryche at the time, not quite US-Power Metal either, this is one heavy metal album that defies categorisation. Compared to some of the band’s following albums, the sound is a bit primitive and direct, not their most musically accomplished or adventurous work, but all the key ingredients are in place; the speed, the power, the melody, the mood, the atmosphere. The record doesn’t outstay its welcome, but it leaves a very good impression. Sure, the production is a bit reverby and the lyrics aren’t as clever as later releases, but its full of charm and that counts for a lot. The iconic artwork completes the package perfectly. The late David Wayne isn’t my personal favourite Metal Church singer to date, but he’s got the attitude and suits the material. There are some great balls out speed metal moments, like “Hitman” and the Cold War-themed “Battalions.” There are some stompy, attitude-filled gems like “Beyond The Black” and the title-track. There’s also a brief instrumental in “Merciless Onslaught” and even a decent Deep Purple cover (“Highway Star”). Metal Church is a fine debut from a fine band. Highly recommended to anyone who likes 1980’s Heavy Metal of any variety.
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Tupan wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Good album. Battalions and Gods of Wrath are two gems.
adg211288 wrote:
more than 2 years ago
It's absolutely textbook USPM, as much as that genre has a strict definition. It's also one of the genre's most essential albums.
UMUR wrote:
more than 2 years ago
Great album. They´ve made made good albums since, but this one is still their greatest.
Vim Fuego wrote:
more than 2 years ago
It was considered speed metal/thrash metal during the 80s. It's only later that the power metal revision thing came along.
Unitron wrote:
more than 2 years ago
This definitely is a difficult album to classify, like Queensryche's Rage for Order it's in a league of its own. First Metal Church album I heard and owned and still my favorite. I love the foreboding atmosphere it sets up, and with great melody too.

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