Metal Church is an institution within the heavy, power, and thrash metal genres, but compared to some of the others that formed in the early 80s their history has been a bit more fragmented. Not only have there been multiple break-ups and reunions, but the lineups have shifted often enough that there are different generations of the band. Guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof has remained the sole constant, and whether you discovered them through the early David Wayne albums, Mike Howe’s work (original or more recent), or even Ronny Munroe’s time in the late 2000s and early 2010s Metal Church has always managed to return with strong material. Recent years have been just as turbulent, as Mike Howe passed in 2021 and Vanderhoof and company brought in Marc Lopes for 2023’s Congregation of the Annihilation. I found that to be another noteworthy effort and was interested at the time to hear what would be next for the Lopes fronted lineup, but not long after that the band would implode yet again. It was unclear if this truly was the end this time around, but in true Metal Church fashion Vanderhoof has pulled things together again. With David Ellefson now on bass, Fifth Angel/Flotsam and Jetsam’s Ken Mary on drums, and ex-Vicious Rumors singer David Allen on vocals, there’s a lot established talent on Dead To Rights, but does it stack up to the group’s legacy?
The previous paragraph has a lot more background than I usually give when reviewing material but given just how much the Metal Church lineup went through over the past three years it feels warranted. Thankfully it doesn’t take long after pressing play to determine that this lineup has what it takes to please established fans and newcomers alike. What immediately jumped out is the more balanced mix, as where Congregation of Annihilation had the drums pop out a bit too much and some of the low end blended together here the guitar, bass, and drums have a bit more separation. There’s definitely a bit more modern polish which isn’t surprising given Zeuss’s involvement, but the fire and grittiness of the songwriting makes it feel like a new coat of paint has been put on the group’s classic sound. I noticed in recent years it seemed like Metal Church had skewed even heavier, and Dead To Rights continues this trajectory with plenty of high flying riffs and faster tempos that continue to blur the lines between thrash, heavy metal, and US power metal. Early tracks like “F.A.F.O” hit hard with a wall of riffs and drums, but sneak in subtle melodic leads that stick with you over repeat listens. On the other end of the spectrum, “Deep Cover Shakedown” slows things down slightly in favor of a catchier groove while “The Show” moves from speedier riffs to a slower melodic passage that lets the bass take the spotlight for a bit. Compared to its immediate predecessor, there’s a better amount of variety from track to track and not a single one that came and went without having an impact. This group has always hit the best for me when they let the melodic leads shine through in between the heavier ones, and the material here consistently finds that perfect balance.
For such a long-running band, going through multiple vocalist changes can be hard to navigate but Metal Church has always managed to pull it off well. While Marc Lopes proved to be an acquired taste for some with his maximum intensity, over the top performance, I found it to be a positive aspect. But if you were on the other side of the fence, David Allen’s debut on Dead To Rights is likely to be more your speed. His approach is a bit more dynamic, as you get the grittier yelled pitches that are more in your face and falsettos but there are subdued moments that let the melodic moments stand out more. Songs like “No Memory” are a great example, as Allen shifts between soaring falsettos and a more grounded singing pitch that still has a commanding presence. The performance is consistent throughout, but “Feet To The Fire”, “The Show”, and “No Memory” are some of my favorites as they best showcase the full spectrum of what Allen is capable of.
Considering that Metal Church seemed like they were breaking up again for the final time following Congregation of Annihilation, the fact that Vanderhoof has rallied and put together another top tier lineup is a pleasant surprise. I came into this one anticipating it would have some ups and downs like that last album, but it’s consistently engaging from beginning to end and the enhanced production values make a huge difference. Even this far into their career Metal Church seems to be firing on all cylinders and like Saxon are putting out material worth paying attention to. Dead To Rights is available from Rat Pak Records.
-Review by Chris Dahlberg