Metal Church
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Metal Church is an American thrash metal band from Aberdeen, Washington. They formed as Shrapnel in 1981, their first album was released in 1984, and the band's most recent work, A Light in the Dark was released in 2006.
According to music journalists who report on heavy metal[citation needed], Metal Church was formed when the Thrash/Speed Metal Genre was still evolving and is one of the few rock bands to come out of Seattle that does not belong to the Grunge movement or genre. David Wayne's vocals on the self-titled album Metal Church and The Dark, resembled those of the growls used by European Black and Death Metal bands of the 1980s but in a very high-pitched tone. The lyrics from the album The Dark talk about death, assassination, and fears. Metal Church is still a working band; they are working with their third vocalist.
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[edit] History
[edit] Early History (1980s)
Metal Church originally formed as Shrapnel in 1981, with Mike Murphy on vocals, Kirk Arrington on drums, Craig Wells and Kurdt Vanderhoof on guitars, and Duke Erickson on bass. Mick Murray, however, citing personal and creative differences. He was replaced by David Wayne.
Fans and music critics[citation needed] state that along with Megadeth, Metallica, Slayer, Anthrax, Testament, and Exodus, that Metal Church played a significant role in defining then-emerging thrash metal. Lars Ulrich played with an earlier formation of Metal Church, before he moved to L.A. where he met James Hetfield and formed Metallica.
Before releasing their self-titled debut album, Metal Church released a demo tape, called the Four Hymns. This album contained the hits Battalions, Deathwish, Gods of Wrath, and the song by which they are most recognized, The Brave. The demo tape is now out of print. These songs, however, can be found in their official website.
According to music critics[citation needed] on the demo tape, they had a sound quite similar to Judas Priest and Metallica, in the sense that they utilized dual rhythms and topics based on war or dark themes. Battalions and Gods of Wrath are two examples of such sounds.
In 1985, their self-titled debut album was released. It is considered[citation needed] by music critics one of the best heavy metal albums of the 1980s. The album included cover of the Deep Purple song, Highway Star.
By the time Metal Church released The Dark, they were touring with high-profile acts like Metallica.
In 1989, the band replaced Wayne with Mike Howe, and released Blessing In Disguise.
[edit] Break-up and Solo careers (1990s)
Following the release of 1991's The Human Factor, Kurdt started working solo, and later with his new band, "Hall Aflame", which released their debut album, Guaranteed Forever, through I.R.S. Records.
The band broke up in 1993 after the release of Hanging in the Balance. Kurdt and Kirk formed "Vanderhoof" and released their self-titled debut album in 1997, and Wayne, formed "Reverend" in 1989.
[edit] Resurrection (1998-2004)
The founding members of Metal Church released the album Live in 1998. The band then started working on a new studio album. Craig Wells departed from the band due to personal and creative differences. He was replaced by John Marshall.
Masterpeace was released in 1999.
Vanderhoof released A Blur in Time in 2002, and Kurdt started working for new material for Metal Church's studio album.
In 2004, Kurdt and Kirk recruited Ronny Monroe, ex-Malice guitarist Jay Reynolds, and Steve Unger. The result was the album Weight of the World.
In 2006, Kirk Arrington left the band due to health complications with diabetes. His replacement was Jeff Plate, who previously worked with Savatage and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
On June 26th, 2006, Metal Church released their latest album, A Light In The Dark, which featured a re-recording of "Watch the Children Pray", a tribute to David Wayne, who died in 2005.
Lars and Kurdt remain good friends; Marshall is the guitar tech of Kirk Hammett and has played guitar for Metallica while Hetfield recovered from injuries.
[edit] Current members
- Ronny Munroe: Vocals
- Kurdt Vanderhoof: Guitar
- Jay Reynolds: Guitar
- Steve Unger: Bass
- Jeff Plate : Drums
[edit] Former members
- David Wayne (January 1, 1958 - May 10, 2005): Vocals (On Metal Church, The Dark, Live, Masterpeace)
- Mike Howe: Vocals (On Blessing in Disguise, The Human Factor, Hanging in the Balance)
- Craig Wells: Guitar (On all up to and including Live)
- John Marshall: Guitar (On Blessing in Disguise, The Human Factor, Hanging in the Balance, Masterpeace)
- Duke Erickson: Bass (All except The Weight of the World)
- Andrew "Raven's Claw" Peters: Drums
- Kirk Arrington: Drums (On all up to The Weight of the World)
[edit] Discography
- Four Hymns (1982)
- Metal Church (1984)
- The Dark (1986)
- Blessing In Disguise (1989)
- The Human Factor (1991)
- Hanging in the Balance (1993)
- Live (1998)
- Masterpeace (1999)
- The Weight Of The World (2004)
- A Light In The Dark (2006)
