METAL CHURCH — The Weight of the World (review)

METAL CHURCH — The Weight of the World album cover Album · 2004 · Heavy Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"The Weight of the World" is the 7th full-length studio album by US power/heavy metal act Metal Church. The album was released through Steamhammer Records in July 2004. After the failed reunion and the subsequent "Masterpeace (1999)" album release, Metal Church went on a hiatus and licked their wounds until they were able to assemble a new lineup. Guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof and drummer Kirk Arrington are the only remaining members from the lineup who recorded "Masterpeace (1999)". New in the lineup are Ronny Munroe (vocals), Jay Reynolds (guitar), and Steve Unger (bass).

...and the new blood have definitely invigorated Metal Church. While I personally found "Masterpeace (1999)" an enjoyable listen, "The Weight of the World" does sound a little more fresh and more like a band enjoying themselves. Stylistically the material on "The Weight of the World" is unmistakably the sound of Metal Church. Powerful, melodic, and hard rocking US power/heavy metal, featuring raw and intricate heavy metal riffs, blistering guitar solos, great harmony work, a hard pounding rhythm section, and a strong and commanding vocalist in front. New lead singer Ronny Munroe has a perfect voice for Metal Church as he is both able to sing raw vocals and also sing more melodic.

The material alternate between heavy and faster paced US power/heavy metal tracks and a few power ballad type tracks. Metal Church include a couple of longer and more structurally complex tracks on "The Weight of the World" (especially "Madman's Overture" deserves a mention), and while they´ve done that on most of their releases, it works better here than usual. If I have to compare "The Weight of the World" to one of their preceding releases it would be to "Blessing in Disguise (1989)".

"The Weight of the World" features a raw, organic, and powerful sounding production job, which is an absolute joy to experience on a 2004 recording. It doesn´t sound like it´s created using digital recording techniques and if it is, producers Vanderhoof and Chris Jacobson have done a great job making the material sound as analogue authentic as possible. So upon conclusion "The Weight of the World" is another high quality US power/heavy metal release by Metal Church. Failed reunions, massive lineup changes...nothing can stop these guys from delivering great 80s influenced metal to the people. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.
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