Watch The Children Pray (bonus track, new version)
The legend returns: Metal Church are scheduled to release their latest album, A Light In The Dark, reanimating the zeitgeist of their first two releases, Metal Church (1985) and The Dark (1986). "It?s almost precisely twen... more »ty years ago that we shook up the international metal scene for the first time with those two recordings," recalls guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof. "Just the right moment to bring that era to mind with a brand new album and the same sort of energy that we had back then". The current band line-up consists of Kurdt Vanderhoof (guitar), Ronny Munroe (vocals), Jay Reynolds (guitar), Steve Unger (bass) and new addition Jeff Plate (drums; ex-Savatage). "I?ve known Jeff since my solo tour with Savatage," Vanderhoof recalls. "And during the 2005 Metal Church tour, when he drummed with opening act Chris Caffery?s band, we also got on really well. So it suggested itself to ask him whether he wanted to join Metal Church". Vanderhoof, who doubles as sound engineer and producer during the recordings, promises an offering featuring all the important trademarks of typical Metal Church tracks, including a new version of the classic We Watch The Children Pray as a tribute to vocalist David Wayne, who passed away in May 2005. "A Light In The Dark will represent what the name Metal Church has been standing for the last twenty years."« less
The legend returns: Metal Church are scheduled to release their latest album, A Light In The Dark, reanimating the zeitgeist of their first two releases, Metal Church (1985) and The Dark (1986). "It?s almost precisely twenty years ago that we shook up the international metal scene for the first time with those two recordings," recalls guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof. "Just the right moment to bring that era to mind with a brand new album and the same sort of energy that we had back then". The current band line-up consists of Kurdt Vanderhoof (guitar), Ronny Munroe (vocals), Jay Reynolds (guitar), Steve Unger (bass) and new addition Jeff Plate (drums; ex-Savatage). "I?ve known Jeff since my solo tour with Savatage," Vanderhoof recalls. "And during the 2005 Metal Church tour, when he drummed with opening act Chris Caffery?s band, we also got on really well. So it suggested itself to ask him whether he wanted to join Metal Church". Vanderhoof, who doubles as sound engineer and producer during the recordings, promises an offering featuring all the important trademarks of typical Metal Church tracks, including a new version of the classic We Watch The Children Pray as a tribute to vocalist David Wayne, who passed away in May 2005. "A Light In The Dark will represent what the name Metal Church has been standing for the last twenty years."
CD Reviews
Stunning return to form.
Balto The Wolfdog | Nome, Alaska | 10/21/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've always been a fan of Metal Church, since hearing tracks from 'The Dark' played on the radio 20 or so years ago. I really like this album, they have retained the Metal Church signature sound despite the fact that Kurdt Vanderhoof is the only original member left in the band.
This is a collection of great songs that deserves to be successful, and its a nice touch to re-record Let The Children Pray as a tribute to David Wayne.
I also like the production on this CD. Like a previous reviewer I have also 'dumped' $10k or so on my sound system, but I don't have a problem with the production at all.
I thoroughly recommend this album to anyone who likes heavy metal, as in heavy metal, not emo, etc."
Great, except for intentionally "retro" production
Drewboy | Urbana, IL USA | 09/24/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The title track which opens the album is awesome. It has quickly risen to become one of my favorite metal tracks. The rest of the album is pretty consistently awesome. This is my first Metal Church album, so apparently there's a different vocalist than in the past. I found the vocalist to fit just fine with the music, perhaps if I had their other stuff I would have a different opinion.
The one *big* downer for me on this is the production. I know they were going for a "retro" sound here but I didn't dump $10k on a sound system to hear muddy tones. It really agitates me at first but I get used to it after ONLY listening to this album a bit. If you're picky about sound you might not like this album's production. But don't let that get in the way entirely, or you'll miss out on a great metal album!"
A Pleasant Surprise Indeed!
Sandman | Canada | 08/23/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Sadly with the passing of David Wayne in May 2005, Metal Church lost one of it's strengths as Wayne's vocal delivery was unique and very strong.
The new line up consisting of Kurdt Vanderhoof (guitar), Ronny Munroe (vocals), Jay Reynolds (guitar), Steve Unger (bass) and new addition Jeff Plate are all in fine form here. Ronny Munroe has the ability to sound like Wayne at times, yet has the fortitude to establish his own voice as well. The group sounds tight and the tunes are well writen.
The songs found on here are pretty much old school Church with tracks number 4 and 5 being especially awesome! This my friends is indeed a good thing as those first two releases were simply gold! The sound is up to date which is again cool as those older mixes from the first two cd's were a little thin for the most part.
I'd say overall it's well worth the price of admission. If you liked Metal Church in 1985 and 86, you'll love this offering.
Enjoy!"
Classic American Punk Metal at its Best
Diane Mcgough | Lake Oswego, OR | 02/09/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"While the only original member remaining in the current Metal Church lineup is guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, "A Light in the Dark" is still by far one of the best and strongest metal albums under the Metal Church name since the late '80s. Current vocalist Ronnie Munroe doesn't have the same intensity as David Wayne did, but his voice does fit in nicely with Vanderhoof's heavy guitar riffs. Between Vanderhoof and added guitarist Jay Reynolds (formerly of Malice) the guitar work on "A Light in the Dark" is excellent and the strong point of the album. The album is filled with fast and heavy rocking hits to power ballads. Hopefully this current lineup will stay intact and rocking for years to come."
Getting back to there origins.
Robert Nodge | Houston, Tx | 09/05/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Not to there original members now with Only guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof being the lone remaining member on this CD. I have herd for months before the release of this new cd that it would be in the vein of there first 2 releases, the self titled and The Dark. Well, I do hear bits of pieces of them at times. The riffs are still catchy and melodic and has some thrashy parts just like with the first 2 albums. I love the album cover. Its sort of like a cross between there first 2 covers. The singer Ronnie Munroe does a great job with the high pitches but still no David Wayne (RIP)"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1