𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…
39 years ago today, the “Gods of Wrath” emerged from “Beyond the Black” unleashing their “Merciless Onslaught”!
On July 5, 1984, Metal Church released their debut full-length studio album, “Metal Church”. The album was originally released by the independent record label Ground Zero.
Based on the success of the album, the band was signed to a recording contract by Elektra Records, who reissued it in 1985.
Background:
Their self-titled debut album included three songs from the bands “Four Hymns” demo and a cover of Deep Purple's "Highway Star".
They sold 70,000 copies of the album independently before signing to Elektra. According to then-vocalist David Wayne (R.I.P.), Ulrich and Metallica bandmate James Hetfield urged Elektra to sign the band before another label did.
The cassette edition and first European vinyl edition contained the bonus track "Big Guns". The Metal Blade Records compilation “Metal Massacre V” (1984) features the song "The Brave", which is not included on this album.
The first press release included a coupon to order a t-shirt and other merchandise.
The albums cover art depicts a cruciform Gibson Explorer hidden in shadows and smoke.
Critical Reception:
Writing for AllMusic, Loudwire’s Eduardo Rivadavia stated;
“Much like the English Punk movement before it, the New Wave of British Heavy Metal invaded hundreds of American garages in the early '80s and launched countless bands across the nation. It is interesting to note, however, that while in major cities with thriving Punk Rock this phenomenon manifested itself in the form of Thrash Metal (for example, L.A.'s Metallica, New York's Anthrax), in secondary capitals, up-and-coming bands generally boasted a more mainstream Metal approach. Such was the case with Phoenix's Armored Saint, Connecticut's Fates Warning, and Seattle's Queensrÿche, but Metal Church (also from Seattle) seemed determined to cover both angles on their powerful 1985 debut. But while the complex songwriting and aggressive riffing seen on trad Metal epics like "Beyond the Black," "Gods of Wrath," and "Metal Church" are about as good as it gets, Thrashier moments like "My Favorite Nightmare," "Battalions," and the appropriately named instrumental "Merciless Onslaught" still needed a little work.
In fact, the band's incredibly tight musicianship is a highlight all on its own, and vocalist David Wayne's piercing screech (similar to Accept's Udo Dirkschneider) was considered very hip at the time, believe it or not. Concluding with a full-throttle cover of the Deep Purple standard "Highway Star," this album remains an overlooked classic of straight-ahead American-bred Heavy Metal.”
Tour Dates & Timeline:
For tour dates and timeline, follow this link; https://intothewellsabyss.wixsite.com/intothewells/post/metal-church-tour-84-86
Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:
Click this link to listen to “Metal Church” via Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/metal-church/309589774
Click this link to listen to “Metal Church” via Spotify: Metal Church https://open.spotify.com/album/6LYQlKhDAXE9xMS3YzioNv
Click this link to follow Metal Church on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMetalChurch/
Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells
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