Metal Church

Originally formed in Seattle in the early 80's, Metal Church soon became a highly respectable metal act due to their first two classic releases. With 'Blessing in Disguise', Metal Church continue to follow the 80's metal formula of their previous releases, while they include some speed metal elements in their trademark songwriting. The album opens with epic guitar lines and Mike Howe's top level performance which help to make "Fake Healer" a memorable track and one of the best songs this band has ever released. Standout cuts include the massive and cathartic "Anthem to the Estranged" and "The Spell that Can't be Broken." Both feature the excellent guitar work that Metal Church continually gained respect for throughout the Seattle band's career.

Los Angeles' Metal Church stand as one of the most innovated and unfortunately, one of the underappreciated heavy metal bands of the 1980's. And 'The Dark', their second album, is without any doubt, the masterpiece of their hard-driven air-guitar assault. Every track on this album, from the "Ton Of Bricks" attacking your ears at the beginning, to the incredible lament of "Watch The Children Pray" halfway through, right to the equally melodic and pounding "Burial At Sea" and "Western Alliance" at the end, is a classic. David Wayne's vocals did a great job on 'The Dark', giving the album a no-nonsense metal consistency and quality.