XI

Metal Church – Damned if You Do Review

Metal Church – Damned if You Do Review

By Steel Druhm on December 7, 2018 in 2018, American Metal, Heavy Metal, Rat Pak Records, Reviews, Heavy Metal, 54 comments

“Metal Church is one of those hard working second-tier metal acts that experienced moments of first-tier greatness over a lengthy career, but never crossed over to the promised land. Their debut is still one of my favorite thrash albums, and Blessing in Disguise probably makes my desert island top 20. I supported them over the decades through numerous line-up changes, but the albums with the late great David Wayne and then Mike Howe on vocals truly captured my Steely heart. When Mr. Howe returned after 20 years in limbo for 2016’s XI opus, I was thrilled. It was an impressive reunion outing too, sounding like the band I loved throughout the 80s and 90s. Now we get Damned if You Do, the all important second post-reunion release.” Brawl at Olde Church.

Metal Church – XI Review

Metal Church – XI Review

By Steel Druhm on March 24, 2016 in 2016, American Metal, Heavy Metal, Rat Pak Records, Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal, 53 comments

“Way back in 1984 I was pretty much blown away by the Metal Church debut. David Wayne’s (R.I.P.) air raid demon vocals were one-of-a-kind and the slick, hooky writing and quasi-thrash energy really won me over. While their follow up The Dark was widely panned, I loved it almost as much as the debut. When Wayne packed off for greener pastures, I was loathe to accept the band without him, until they wrangled Mike Howe from Heretic and made stellar use of his leather lunged roar on the amazing Blessing in Disguise. I went on to love all the Howe era albums and struggled mightily to get into subsequent platters with Ronny Munroe standing in his stead. Now 23 years after he left, Howe is back for their 11th album, the cleverly titled XI.” Is church back in session or should you get the flock away from this thing?