I think Scott is under the impression that I don’t like Metal Church. That’s the bands fault because they have had too many bloody line up changes. To clarify: I don’t like David Wayne’s voice, think The Dark is over-rated, love The Human Factor with Mike Howe but think Blessing In Disguise is ruined by a terrible production job by none other then Terry Date. One of their guitarists is probably better known for filling in for James Hetfield and the main songwriter didn’t even tour on some of their albums. Bad luck well yes, self-inflicted career damage most definitely.
I love A Light In The Dark, just a solid slice of metal. Ronny Munroe’s vocals are a bit of an acquired taste though, sometimes he can just sound a little well……off. If that makes any sense. The follow up This Present Wasteland didn’t really do it for me and then they were gone. Bad management, bad label the usual same ‘ol same ‘ol.
So now they are back after a little hiatus. Time to review, renew and compose. So is this a tired sounding release from a band that should have known better? Fuck no, this is stonking stuff. Kurdt Vanderhoff always had an ear for a good tune and there are belters on this like opener Bulletproof, Suiciety and the title track. He has this crunchy guitar tone that screams old school metal. Ronny Munroe sounds great on this too and a lot has to do with the quality of material presented to him. I’m glad they are back and bothered to release new material when they could have done those 70,000 tons of metal cruises playing all the golden oldies.
The cover is shit though.
Richie.
