| CD REVIEW Metal Church |
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Band : Metal Church You know, I didn't really hàve to do this review, as the promo copy was meant only for the private collection of our editor-in-chief. I offered to do it anyway as, you know, it's Metal Church, man...and then he did try to warn me, saying he didn't like the album none too much... In retrospect, I can partly agree with him because...gee, the music this Seattle based act makes today is really removed from the exhilerating Speed/ Thrash hybrid of their beginnings. Of course, changes had already come underway with their 3rd album (1989's Blessing In Disguise, on which the Speed and Thrash had been exchanged for a more straight-forward Heavy Metal already), the first without fantastic singer David Wayne (who would come back to the fold for the 1999 album Masterpeace – and maybe it's about time I went and got myself that album at last! – again leaving due to personal and musical differences in 2003; died in early February 2005 from complications with injuries sustained in a car accident a couple of months earlier). Since 2003, it's Rottweiller singer Ronny Munroe who took over vocal duties (also joining original members Kurdt Vanderhoof (lead guitar) and Kirk Arrington (drums) in 2004 would be second guitarist Jay Reynolds (formerly of Malice) and bassist Steve Hunger). The first Metal Church album to feature him would be 2004's The Weight Of The World, followed in 2006 by A Light In The Dark (review by collegue Cosmicmasseur posted 23/07/2006). In February 2006 Kirk Arrington was forced to step down from his drumming duties, as he'd been struggling with diabetes for years. His replacement would be Jeff Plate, of Savatage and Trans-Siberian Orchestra repute (as well as Voodoo Rodeo and Wicked Witch). A last line-up change occured following the recordings of their current album, Reynolds opting out for "personal reasons", and being replaced right-off by Rick Van Zandt in June '08. When listening to this new album, I once again am slightly disappointed with the fact that Metal Church mellowed down over the years, loosing most of the exhilerating speed factor (which made them stand out on their first two albums) for a more moderate songwriting (which did a lot for the band's commercial value). On top of that, Munroe rarely has that high octave reach (he also has a more hoarse vocal quality) that was the belated Wayne's...but I'll admit to there being a couple of moments on this album [passages of "Deeds Of A Dead Soul", "Meet Your Maker" (which even starts off old-style but then moves to semi-balladesque territory), and "A War Never Won"]where he comes near enough. I was amazed to find a couple of moments where the band used a keyboard as sound filler (I found some in the opening of the aforementioned "Deeds Of A Dead Soul" and also in the latter part of album closer "Congregation"). Away from what Metal Church used to represent in the "old days", one must admit that the material is well written and executed. Check out a threesome of songs (album opener "The Company Of Sorrow", again "Deeds...", and "Breath Again") off the new albumat myspace.com/metalchurch, and dare to disagree with the fact that what is offered is actually somewhat middle-of-the-road kinda stuff in the genre! 80/100 Tony. |