(Heavy/Power/Thrash Metal) Metal Church - The Dark (Japanese Edition) (Remastered 2013) - 1986/2013, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The David Wayne era of Metal Church was one of the most rightoeus bands with one of the most kickass sounds in metal history. It frustrates me that they never quite got the praise they so obviously deserved. This is another amazing album from one of thrash's greatest bands.

The sound is very much in the same vein as the first album, which is a good thing. You've got fast and catchy riffs, soaring vocals from the very talented David Wayne, and strong songwriting and arranging which keep the record strong throughout its entirety. The songs are much shorter than on the debut album, and the feel of it is a bit less epic, but maybe truer to the thrash sound.

"Ton of Bricks" is a cool opener with some mean riffing and even meaner vocals. There is a confidence about this band that is very appealing. They knew they were hot shit. "Start the Fire" has a very rowdy mood to it. The inclusion of gang vocals was pure genius because it adds a level of fun to the track. This is a heavy song and the gang vocals just added the right attitude. "Method to Your Madness" is a standout track with probably the catchiest verses on the record. The riffing matches the vocal melody perfectly as the entire band delivers a knockout performance. The chorus is also pretty powerful, with once again some grat guitar playing to boot.

The next track is the album's most famous song, and one of Metal Church's all-time classics. "Watch the Children Pray" is the ballad of the record, kind of like "Gods of Wrath" from the debut. The clean verses are dark yet enjoyable as the guitar and vocals once again mesh perfectly. Wayne's scream before the chorus hits you is a gut wrenching performance that isn't likely to go unnoticed. The chorus itself has a very anthemic feel to it. It's all very epic as it is the longest track on here. This is still a classic to this day and is one of the best metal ballads I've ever heard.

"Over My Dead Body" is a fast-paced killer of a track with some speedy riffing and cool lead play, not to mention once again a stellar performance from Wayne. The title track is also very awesome, with what is an aptly dark and menacing feel that fits the title perfectly. The chorus is very catchy and groovy. This is a killer track. "Psycho" is a fast pace thrash fest with some awesome high pitch scream and a very menacing chorus. "Line of Death" is in a similar vein with war like lyrical content. "Burial ar Sea" is a very epic, Maiden-like slow track that has a very power metal element to it which is very interesting. There is actually some pretty awesome lead work on this track to fill the holes between the verses. "Western Alliance" ends things with a bang as this might be the fastest track on the record. The chorus once again features gang vocals and there is some killer lead playing on this track. This closes the record with style.

metal Church had something seriously cool going, the riffs and the attitude in their music was too killer for words and some of these records are absolute thrash classics. The Dark defintely fits that category.

Review written by invaded for www.metal-archives.com

Links:
http://metalchurchmusic.com/
http://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Metal_Church/371