Metal Church is an American heavy metal band formed in 1980. The band was established in San Francisco, California, by guitarist and songwriter Kurdt Vanderhoof. In 1981, Vanderhoof relocated to Aberdeen, Washington, where the group briefly operated under the name Shrapnel before reverting to Metal Church in 1983. Over the course of its career, Metal Church has released fourteen studio albums and has been associated with the Seattle-area heavy metal scene of the 1980s. The band's music has been variously described as heavy metal, thrash metal, speed metal and power metal. Its lyrics have addressed subjects including conflict, paranoia, philosophy, politics and social issues.
Metal Church has experienced numerous lineup changes throughout its history. Vanderhoof has remained the band's principal songwriter and only continuous member. The band's early lineup consisted of Vanderhoof, vocalist David Wayne, guitarist Craig Wells, bassist Duke Erickson and drummer Kirk Arrington. This lineup recorded the band's self-titled debut album, "Metal Church" (1984), and its follow-up, "The Dark" (1986).
The group's origins can be traced to 1980, when Vanderhoof formed Metal Church with several musicians in San Francisco. During this period, future Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich briefly auditioned for the band. In 1981, Metal Church released the instrumental demo "Red Skies". After relocating to Aberdeen, Vanderhoof formed Shrapnel with Wells, Erickson, drummer Tom Weber and vocalist Mike Murphy. Following personnel changes, Arrington and Wayne joined, completing the lineup that would record the band's early releases. The group released the demo "Four Hymns" and spent the following years performing and developing material.
Metal Church released its self-titled debut album in July 1984. The album included material from the "Four Hymns" demo and a cover version of Deep Purple's "Highway Star". The band independently sold substantial numbers of the album before signing with Elektra Records. Its second album, "The Dark", was released in October 1986 and entered the Billboard 200 chart. The album's music video for "Watch the Children Pray" received airplay on MTV, and the band toured extensively in support of the release.
During this period, Vanderhoof stopped performing live with the band, although he continued to contribute as a songwriter. He was eventually replaced on stage by John Marshall. Vocalist David Wayne also departed and was succeeded by former Heretic singer Mike Howe.
With Howe and Marshall, Metal Church released "Blessing in Disguise" in 1989. The album became the band's highest-charting release at the time and included the song "Badlands", which received exposure through MTV's "Headbangers Ball". Following extensive touring, the band moved from Elektra Records to Epic Records.
In 1991, Metal Church released "The Human Factor", followed by "Hanging in the Balance" in 1993 on Mercury Records. After several years of touring, the band disbanded in 1996, citing management difficulties and declining record sales.
A reunion of several members of the classic lineup took place in 1998. During this period, the band released the live albums "Live" and "Live in Japan". The reunited group recorded "Masterpeace" (1999), with Marshall replacing Wells during the album's development. Following touring activities and renewed internal disagreements, Wayne left the band again in 2001. Marshall and Erickson subsequently departed, and Metal Church entered a second hiatus.
In 2003, Vanderhoof and Arrington assembled a new lineup featuring vocalist Ronny Munroe, guitarist Jay Reynolds and bassist Steve Unger. This version of the band released "The Weight of the World" in 2004. Former vocalist David Wayne died on 10 May 2005 at the age of 47 following complications related to injuries sustained in a car accident.
In 2006, Arrington left the band because of health issues related to diabetes and was replaced by Jeff Plate. The band released "A Light in the Dark" later that year, including a re-recording of "Watch the Children Pray" as a tribute to Wayne. Reynolds departed in 2008 and was replaced by Rick Van Zandt. The band's ninth studio album, "This Present Wasteland", was released that same year.
Although Metal Church continued writing material, the band announced its disbandment in July 2009 after a final performance at the Rocklahoma festival. Members cited frustrations with the music industry as a contributing factor.
Metal Church reunited again in October 2012 with Vanderhoof, Munroe, Unger, Plate and Reynolds, who was later replaced by Van Zandt. The band returned to live performances in early 2013 and released its tenth studio album, "Generation Nothing", later that year.
Munroe left the group in 2014. In April 2015, Mike Howe rejoined Metal Church nearly twenty years after his departure. According to Howe, the possibility of his return played a significant role in the band's decision to continue operating.
The band's eleventh studio album, "XI", was released in 2016. It marked Howe's first studio appearance with Metal Church since "Hanging in the Balance" and became the band's highest-charting album on the Billboard 200, reaching number 57. The group toured extensively in support of the album. During this period, temporary lineup adjustments were required when guitarist Rick Van Zandt underwent emergency eye surgery.
Metal Church released the live album "Classic Live" in 2017. Later that year, Jeff Plate left the band and was replaced by former W.A.S.P. drummer Stet Howland. The band's twelfth studio album, "Damned If You Do", was released in December 2018, followed by touring in North America and appearances at events including Megacruise.
In April 2020, Metal Church released its first compilation album, "From the Vault", which included new studio recordings, cover songs and live material. The band subsequently began work on additional material.
On 26 July 2021, Mike Howe died at the age of 55 at his home in Eureka, California. His death was later ruled a suicide. Following a period of uncertainty, Vanderhoof indicated that Metal Church would continue with a new vocalist.
In September 2022, Vanderhoof confirmed that the band had selected Howe's replacement and was working on a new album. In February 2023, Metal Church announced Marc Lopes as its new lead vocalist. The band's thirteenth studio album, "Congregation of Annihilation", was released in May 2023. Four days before the album's release, former drummer Kirk Arrington died at the age of 61. The band undertook international touring in support of the album. A live album featuring Howe's final performances, "The Final Sermon (Live in Japan 2019)", was released in July 2024.
An authorised history of the band, "Beyond the Black: The Story of Metal Church", written by James R. Beach and Brian L. Naron, was published in November 2023.
In January 2025, Lopes stated that he had received little information regarding the band's future plans. Later that year, Metal Church announced the departures of Lopes, bassist Steve Unger and drummer Stet Howland. They were replaced by vocalist Brian Allen, bassist David Ellefson and drummer Ken Mary. This lineup recorded the band's fourteenth studio album, "Dead to Rights", released on 10 April 2026. The album's lead single, "F.A.F.O.", was issued in November 2025. The new lineup made its live debut in May 2026 at the San Luis Metal Fest in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and subsequently began touring in support of the album.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Church
Studio albums
Metal Church (1984)
The Dark (1986)
Blessing in Disguise (1989)
The Human Factor (1991)
Hanging in the Balance (1993)
Masterpeace (1999)
The Weight of the World (2004)
A Light in the Dark (2006)
This Present Wasteland (2008)
Generation Nothing (2013)
XI (2016)
Damned If You Do (2018)
Congregation of Annihilation (2023)
Dead to Rights (2026)
Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.
User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License and may also be available under the GNU FDL.
…shrink me down again