Metal Church - 3 Classic Albums Remastered (1984-1989) (2013, Japan WQCP-1437~9)

How f#cking sweet is that album cover? It's almost as epic and amazing as the music on the record, which should alone tell you how brilliant "Metal Church" is. In 1984, there was a trifecta of power metal albums, with the two others being Omen's "Battle Cry" and Jag Panzer's "Ample Destruction" (Though, there were several other fantastic records of the US power metal genre), but Metal Church's debut record makes those two legendary records seem nearly obsolete. This album is that damn great. Every single aspect of what makes an album awesome is present here, from the vocals, the riffs, drumming, aura, and everything in between, there isn't a single complaint that could be made about these power metallers (They weren't a thrash band, despite the popular belief, which dictates that they are) and the flawless record that they created. The riffs are insane, whether they're the thrashing ones on "Battalions" and the greatest instrumental ever composed, "Merciless Onslaught," or the simple midpaced ones that are prominent on the title track. There's simply no way to deny the catchiness of each riff, but you've got to give credit Kirk Arrington on drums, because his drumming is equally terrific. The fills that can be found on the intro to "Hitman," as well as the intense and thunderous rhythms on "Merciless Onslaught" make all of the riffs that much better. David Wayne's vocals are another fantastic compliment to the music as they bring a different feeling on just about every track. His clean singing on "Gods of Wrath" is top-notch and can be compared to some of the genre's best pure singers, while his fast-paced vocals on "Hitman" and "(My Favorite) Nightmare" are more like those of an early thrash band. In addition to the thrashier songs and catchy, simple power metal tunes, there are some much more epic tracks that blow away songs by the much more epic-styled European power metal bands. The album opener "Beyond the Black" begins with a stellar clean guitar introduction that serves as the backdrop to the sample vocals, before turning into a midpaced riff that is guaranteed to get your headbanging, as well as some incredible solos (Which is a common theme on this album, as every song has awesome solos). "Gods of Wrath" also switches effortlessly between clean passages and beautiful vocals, and heavy riffage that balances out perfectly. The description of Metal Church's debut album is nearly pointless, because the only thing that really needs to be said is that it is perfect and if you don't realize this, then you need to be burned and died immediately.

www.metal-archives.com

Yes, that's right, 96%. This is an album where you can fast forward to any point on it, any point at all (except the slower part of Watch The Children Pray) and be guaranteed to hear a good riff. The guitars are produced perfectly which is really saying something considering this was 1986 and the riffs are excellent and also well-varied throughout the album, which even Reign In Blood cannot say about itself. The vocals are very shrieky, but i have to say that most 80's thrash album have something strange about the vocals, and in fact I prefer the bands who have the more unique sounding vocalists. Here we find a nice high pitched, very sharp and clean-sounding shriek. The drumming is well done overall and not overproduced, both of which can't be said for Metallica. And voila, Metal Church have something on both of the two most famous thrash acts ever! There are not many guitar solos as on other albums and the ones present are above average but not excellent, but this album is one that does not feed off of soloing like some bands do (i.e. Judas Priest on Painkiller), rather here a solo is more of an added bonus, but the song is based a lot more on the riffs. Something else to mention is the presence of a slow ballad. Making good ballads is indeed a lost art and is much more difficult than it seems. In fact, around 80% of attempts at a nice and emotional ballad fail (see The Black Album). However, one of the best ones since Stairway To Heaven is found on here, that is Watch The Children Pray. It is a must-hear, and my words will not do it justice. My two other favorite songs are Start The Fire and Western Alliance. I would place this in the top 10 all time for thrash albums without question!!!

www.metal-archives.com

Few bands have captured the spirit of 80s heavy metal as well as Metal Church. With the most accomplished artists in the metal community they developed its own distinctive style even after their first self-titled debut in 1985. And with the subsequent album “The Dark” they went for better things, which many consider to be their finest record and a classic offering among 80s speed-thrash. But for me things were not yet perfect till Vandehoof, the driving force behind most of the band’s work, brought vocalist Mike Howe into the band along with ex-Metallica roadie John Marshall on the guitar. Having released an album with his former band Heretic, the vocalist Mike Howe eventually found a new band that could do justice to his voice. While there isn’t a tremendous musical shift on this album, there is something highly conspicuous that is not typical of Church’s previous two records. As soon as you hear the first track “Fake Healer” it is obvious that melody rather than speed is the keynote which resulted in a more precise delivery. The monumental opening riffs of the track together with the spellbinding voice is a moment where Metal Church is becoming a real blessing in the skies with a heavier riffing and deeper subject matter (with prime importance given to the lyrics), yet not completely deviating from what they do best which is extremely unique 80s metal music. “Anthem to the Estranged”, “Badlands”, “Fake Healer”, “The Powers That Be” are the best tracks on the album respectively. How can I even try to describe the brilliance of these tracks played with instruments fit for the gods. “Anthem to the Estranged” starts with a moment of blessed calm and a voice gifted with unmarred grace, as if depicting last moments of a farewell scene frozen in time. The wailing anthem suddenly turns into a raging storm and the same formula repeats itself several times. It’s a superbly executed semi-ballad of fantastic beauty. And after having heard this one we are no longer totally unaware of the suffering there is outside our own comfortable little worlds. To fully appreciate this song one has to be in the mood, for sometimes how we perceive an album is the product of a vital interaction between time and place. “Badlands” is the second best track although it might just as well be the best. This one is one of those in which music speaks for itself. There aren’t many songs around that can leave a lasting impact as this one, encapsulating a moment of astral journey written in music. The rest also has their moments tinged with excellence that make this album a pure musical heritage. It’s an album I enjoy every minute of it. You know few pleasures can equal that of a cold drink on a hot summer day. For me this album is definitely one of them. Listening to it is like eating a favourite food of mine. Smells good, tastes good and sounds even better. Enjoy it…

www.metal-archives.com