New Metal Church! Good stuff.

The music absolutely smokes.

The vocals are quite good, although there are some odd pronunciations here and there.

Not sure what they’re going for with the lyrics, although I usually think of MC as pretty positive lyrically.

Okay, almost sounds like modern Flotsam and Jetsam. I like it.

Don't know who the vocalist is, but he fits the style very well.

It sounds good!

I like this one, just released:

Good stuff. Nice and heavy, although not as immediately hooky as the last track.

Cannot wait for this album.

Good song. What's with the titles? Seems angry for them.

So, you're talking about a Top 10 band of all time for me.  Have always loved Metal Church, with both Wayne and Howe (and even Munroe) on the vocals.  

On this new album (whole thing SMOKES, btw!), there is an angrier edge, as Black Rider mentioned, but to be fair, their last couple of records have been pretty angry in tone.  My understanding is that Mike Howe was involved in the writing of several of the new songs, and his angrier lyrics were kept intact to honor his loss, and Kurdt chose to write in an angrier, more aggressive vein to go along with it.  They had already started the recording process when Mike committed suicide, and Kurdt has said he poured a lot of his grief and anger into this batch of songs.

As to the new singer, Marc Lopes, he's kind of a Wayne/Howe amalgamation.  His work with Ross The Boss (ex-Manowar) was pretty solid, if not overly original, and his previous band, Let Us Prey, was pretty decent, as well.  Neither are in the realm of Metal Church, however.  I am curious to hear how Lopes handles the classic MC material.

If you picked up From The Vault you have the last of the currently released Howe material, although Kurdt did just put out a limited run Best of Mike Howe 2016-2021 set that has one unreleased Howe song on it.  

Arttie

So stoked for this album. “Pick a God and Prey” hasn’t left my head since it was released.

I actually thought Damned If You Do was one of their best albums ever. Love that thing.

After a couple listens, here's my thoughts. Sounds like modern MC with that aggressive bent that rarely let's up. The mix is decent although the bass is mostly buried but modern production does that a lot. The new vocalist is decent but reminds me of the guy from Cage, hammers everything with little let up or diversity. Really miss Mike.

My initial thoughts. (Black Rider lives for these).

It’s a good album. Some killer riffs. The hooks aren’t as immediate as some past efforts, but that’s not a big thing. I do think putting “Children of the Lie” and “Me the Nothing” back to back kind of kills the momentum after the first 3 songs shred your face. The singer is great, but could use a slightly more melodic edge like Howe. But he’s still dynamite. I am curious about the lyrics and am looking forward to reading them.

Very good indeed! 

Ironically better than the last couple they did with Howe… and I’m a big Howe fan!

The reason is because Kurdt said he was revisiting his thrash roots.

Actually, at this point I’d put Damned If You Do over this one.

Pethead wrote:Actually, at this point I’d put Damned If You Do over this one.

That’s my least favorite (of the Howe reunion albums).

I've never listened to these guys. What album should I start with?

Good recommendations here:

https://thecmr.forumotion.com/t13464-favorite-metal-church-album?highlight=Church

I’d say Blessing in Disguise. It’s a great combo of heavy, but melodic. If you want more melodic, go for The Human Factor. If you want heavier, try out The Dark. (Many fans hail the debut as the best, but I prefer The Dark. Wouldn’t hurt to check out both, though).

Pethead wrote:I’d say Blessing in Disguise. It’s a great combo of heavy, but melodic. If you want more melodic, go for The Human Factor. If you want heavier, try out The Dark. (Many fans hail the debut as the best, but I prefer The Dark. Wouldn’t hurt to check out both, though).

Thanks Pethead. I'll check 'er out.

Blessing in Disguise is my all time favorite.

Mine is Hanging In The Balance with the song, End Of The Age being their opus.

I changed my mind… 

Although I like the new album, the new singer tries too hard. Mike Howe was the best!

That’s the main critique I’ve seen for the album. It’s not that he lacks talent, but he’s full-throttle pretty much 100% of the time.

No songs on the new album have the hooks. Nothing sticks in my head.