Thrash/Heavy Metal
USA

Released 10th of April, 2026

There are many a band from the 1980s that have maintained a cult following yet not quite breaking into the “big leagues”, but very few control a level of reverence and respect that METAL CHURCH enjoy.

In fact, the San Francisco (now Washington state) fivesome formed in 1980, with the only original member, Kurdt Vanderhoof, having been hard at it ever since. Frequently sited but hardly been able to fully capitalise that into hard capital.
It’s not as if they don’t try. Their last album, Congregation Of Annihilation back in 2023, was a solidified smash of speed and skill.

A few things have changed since then. With only the guitar pairing of Kurdt Vanderhoof and Rick van Zandt remaining from those sessions. The troops have since been bolstered by Dave Ellefson on bass, Flotsam & Jetsam and Fifth Angel drummer, Ken Mary and one time Viscous Rumours vocalist, Brian Allen.
That’s quite the collective of CV connections.
And it all seems to have paid off with this their fourteenth studio album, DEAD TO RIGHTS.

Even though it is produced by Kurdt, mastering and mixing fell on Chris “Zeuss” Harris, who has made more than a name for himself in the metal world. Particularly the hardcore and metalcore sphere. Adding a certain punch to proceedings.

Opening with the singles that lead to this release, BRAINWASH GAME and F.A.F.O, we find ourselves in familiar METAL CHURCH territory, albeit a warm, welcoming one filled with vigor and virtuosity.
Kurdt and co have always walked the tightrope between trad and thrash metal, and the title track showcases this with memorable hooks and a vocal delivery from Mr Allen that carries over the entire album.
It appears you can take the boy out of the Bay Area, but you can’t take the Bay area out of the boy.

Further on, DEEP COVER SHAKEDOWN, FEET TO THE FIRE and THE SHOW have all the trad metal trappings one could need, with choruses that’ll have horns being thrown with abandon. HEAVEN KNOWS (SLIP AWAY) and NO MEMORY continue this trend in a nod to NWOBHM’s galloping charge.
The album finishes with WASTED TIME, a coincidental(?) play on Dave Ellefson’s old fiery haired and tempered old boss, and the closer, MY WRATH, a balls to the wall rock ‘n roller with a thing or two to say.

If you like your metal straight up and with no mucking about. DEAD TO RIGHTS is right there. Impeccably produced, masterful in mixing, and played with a juvenile exuberance that belies the bands forty six year stint.
It would be an injustice on the same level that METAL CHURCH don’t headlining the biggest festivals if you don’t at least give DEAD TO RIGHTS it’s fair say.

DEAD TO RIGHTS by METAL CHURCH is out now via Reaper entertainment on all major streaming sites now.