METAL CHURCH - SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM 12" Vinyl LP

- Canadian Release on Banzai Records

This is the Canadian release on Banzai records of "Metal Church" the self-titled debut album. Released in 1984, this album and its successor, 1986's The Dark, are considered metal classics. The cover art depicts a cruciform Gibson Explorer hidden in shadows and smoke.

 

METAL CHURCH - Self-Titled Canada Banzai Records Debut Album 12" Vinyl LP Album front cover https://vinyl-records.nl

Metal Church's Self-Titled Debut: The Canadian Banzai Records Assault - A Northern Metal Blizzard
Album Description:

In the frostbitten heart of the 1980s heavy metal explosion, Metal Church's self-titled debut album wasn't just content to conquer America; it stormed the Canadian border with the force of a blizzard, courtesy of Banzai Records. This wasn't just another import; it was a declaration of war, a sonic avalanche that buried the competition.

Recorded at the hallowed halls of Triad Studios in Redmond, Washington, with producer Terry Date (the sonic architect behind future titans like Pantera and Soundgarden) at the helm, this album was a raw, untamed beast. Date captured the band's live energy with a ferocity that was almost frightening. This wasn't polished, radio-friendly metal; it was a sonic sucker punch to the gut.

The band, led by the banshee wail of David Wayne, was a force of nature unleashed. Kurdt Vanderhoof and Craig Wells' guitars weren't just instruments; they were chainsaws, ripping through riffs and solos with a relentless fury. Duke Erickson's bass and Kirk Arrington's drums provided the seismic foundation, a rhythmic earthquake that shook the listener to their core.

This wasn't just heavy metal; it was a genre-bending monster. It had the classic metal stomp of Sabbath and Priest, the breakneck speed of the burgeoning thrash scene, and even a touch of punk's raw, unhinged energy. It was music that didn't care about labels; it just wanted to tear your head off.

Songs like the anthemic "Beyond the Black," the thrashing title track "Metal Church," and the epic "Gods of Wrath" became instant classics, showcasing the band's ability to blend melody with sheer, unadulterated aggression. The lyrics, delving into themes of social unrest, personal demons, and the darkness lurking within humanity, resonated with a generation hungry for something real, something that spoke to their own anxieties and frustrations.

The Canadian Banzai Records release was a statement. It was Metal Church saying, "We're not just an American band; we're a global force to be reckoned with." It was a challenge to the status quo, a middle finger to the hair metal pretty boys.

This album wasn't without its detractors. Some found Wayne's vocals too harsh, the production too raw. But that was missing the point. This was music that wasn't about being pretty; it was about being real, about channeling the anger and frustration of a generation disillusioned with the world around them.

Metal Church's self-titled debut, especially in its Canadian Banzai Records incarnation, was a watershed moment. It proved that heavy metal wasn't just an American or European phenomenon; it was a global uprising. It was a reminder that music could be dangerous, that it could challenge the status quo and make you question everything you thought you knew. It was, and still is, a sonic blizzard that continues to rage decades later.

Music Genre:

American Heavy Metal 

Album Production Information:

The album: "METAL CHURCH - S/T self-titled " was produced by: Metal Church and Terry Date

Terry Date is a renowned American music producer and sound engineer known for shaping the sonic identity of heavy metal and rock. His work with Pantera, Soundgarden, Deftones, and White Zombie set new production standards, blending crushing heaviness with clarity. His influential career spans decades, leaving a lasting impact on modern metal. Read more .

Sound/Recording Engineer(s): Terry Date

Terry Date is a renowned American music producer and sound engineer known for shaping the sonic identity of heavy metal and rock. His work with Pantera, Soundgarden, Deftones, and White Zombie set new production standards, blending crushing heaviness with clarity. His influential career spans decades, leaving a lasting impact on modern metal. Read more .

This album was recorded at: Steve Lawson Productions Seattle

Logo design: Kurdt Vanderhoof

Album cover photography: Saulius Pempe, Castor and Pollux Studio, Seattle

Record Label & Catalog-nr:

SteamHammer Banzai BRC 1933

Media Format:

12" Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record
Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram 

Year & Country:

1984 Made in Canada 
Band Members and Musicians on: METAL CHURCH - Self-Titled Debut Album
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • David Wayne : vocals

      David Wayne was an American singer and songwriter best known as the original lead vocalist for the heavy metal band Metal Church. He was born on March 2, 1955, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and grew up in the Pacific Northwest. Wayne started his musical career in the late 1970s, playing in various local bands before forming Metal Church in 1980. He provided lead vocals for the band's first two albums, "Metal Church" (1984) and "The Dark" (1986), which are considered classic examples of the thrash metal genre.

      Wayne left Metal Church in 1987 due to creative differences and formed his own band, Reverend, which released several albums throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s. He also worked as a session musician and collaborated with other artists in the heavy metal scene. Wayne died on May 10, 2005, at the age of 50, due to complications from a car accident. He is remembered as an influential figure in the heavy metal community and a pioneer of the thrash metal genre.

  • Kurdt Vanderhoof: guitar

      Kurdt Vanderhoof an American guitarist, songwriter, and producer, founder and guitarist of the heavy metal band Metal Church. He was born on 9 June 1961, in San Francisco, California, and grew up in the Pacific Northwest. Vanderhoof started his musical career in the early 1980s, playing in various local bands before forming Metal Church in 1980. He has been the main songwriter and guitarist for the band throughout their career, and his distinctive playing style, characterized by powerful riffs and intricate solos, has been a key part of Metal Church's sound.

     Vanderhoof has been the only constant member of Metal Church throughout the band's history, and has also worked as a producer and engineer on several of their albums. He has also collaborated with other artists in the heavy metal scene and has been recognized as an influential figure in the genre. Metal Church continues to tour and record music, and Vanderhoof remains an active member of the band to this day.

  • Kirk Arrington : drums

      Kirk Arrington was an American drummer with the heavy metal band Metal Church. He was born on 19 February 1963, and grew up in the Pacific Northwest. Arrington joined Metal Church in 1986 and played on several of the band's most well-known albums, including "The Dark" (1986), "Blessing in Disguise" (1989), and "The Human Factor" (1991). He was known for his powerful and aggressive drumming style, which was a key part of Metal Church's sound during his time with the band.

     Arrington left Metal Church in 1994 due to health issues, but returned to the band for a brief period in the late 1990s. He continued to play music and worked with other artists throughout his career. Arrington died on April 19, 2013, at the age of 50. He is remembered as an influential figure in the heavy metal community and a talented drummer.

  • Craig Wells : guitar

      Craig Wells an American guitarist best known for his work with the heavy metal band Metal Church. He was born on 7 May 1962, and grew up in the Pacific Northwest. Wells joined Metal Church in 1984 and played on several of the band's early albums, including "Metal Church" (1984) and "The Dark" (1986). He was known for his aggressive and energetic playing style, which was a key part of Metal Church's sound during his time with the band.

     Wells left Metal Church in 1986 due to creative differences, but continued to play music and work with other artists throughout his career. He is remembered as an influential figure in the heavy metal community and a talented guitarist.

  • Duke Erickson : bass

      Duke Erickson an American bassist best known for his work with the heavy metal band Metal Church. He was born on 5 June 1956, and grew up in the Pacific Northwest. Erickson joined Metal Church in 1986 and played on several of the band's well-known albums, including "The Dark" (1986), "Blessing in Disguise" (1989), and "The Human Factor" (1991). He was known for his solid and dependable bass playing, which was a key part of Metal Church's sound during his time with the band.

     Erickson left Metal Church in 1994, but continued to play music and work with other artists throughout his career. He has been recognized as an influential figure in the heavy metal community and a talented bassist. Erickson has also worked as a producer and engineer on several musical projects.

Complete Track Listing of: "METAL CHURCH - Self-Titled Debut Album"

The Songs/tracks on "METAL CHURCH - Self-Titled Debut Album" are

  1. Beyond the Black - 6:20
  2. Metal Church - 5:03
  3. Merciless Onslaught - 2:55
  4. Gods of Wrath - 6:41
  5. Hitman - 4:36
  6. In the Blood - 3:31
  7. (My Favorite) Nightmare - 3:11
  8. Battalions - 4:55
  9. Highway Star - 4:37
Spinning Through Time: The Ultimate Collection of Metal Church's Vinyl LPs in a Comprehensive Discography

METAL CHURCH - Blessing in Disguise ( Elektra )

Thumbnail of METAL CHURCH - Blessing in Disguise 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

Elektra 960 817 , 1988 , EEC

1989. The year Metal Church unleashed "Blessing in Disguise" upon an unsuspecting world. Thrash was king, hair metal was teetering on the edge of extinction, and grunge was still a glint in Kurt Cobain's eye. Amidst this musical upheaval, Metal Church, the unsung heroes of American heavy metal

Blessing in Disguise ( Elektra ) 12" Vinyl LP

METAL CHURCH - The Dark (German & USA Releases)

Thumbnail of METAL CHURCH - The Dark ( Germany ) 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

Elektra 960 493 , 1986 , Germany

Metal Church's "The Dark" is a relentless sonic assault, a testament to the band's evolution into a heavier, more aggressive sound. Released in 1986, it features the powerhouse vocals of David Wayne and the twin guitar attack of Kurdt Vanderhoof and John Marshall.

The Dark (German Release) The Dark (USA Release)

METAL CHURCH - S/T self-titled (Elektra Records)

Thumbnail of METAL CHURCH - S/T self-titled ( Elektra ) 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

  Elektra 960471 , 1984 , Germany

Metal Church's self-titled debut is a raw, unadulterated blast of heavy metal thunder. It blends classic metal riffs, thrashing energy, and a touch of punk attitude. Songs like "Beyond the Black" and "Gods of Wrath" showcase the band's power and intensity, while David Wayne's vocals are a force of nature.

METAL CHURCH Self-Titled (German Release Elektra) METAL CHURCH Self-Titled (German Release Steamhammer) METAL CHURCH Self-Titled (Canadian Release Banzai)