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Hails. -l- \m/
NO MALLCORE, NO METAL CORE, NO CORE, NO HIPSTERS.FREEDOM FOR UKRAINE
Sunday, November 23, 2025
METAL CHURCH: POST VIDEO FOR NEW TRACK "F.A.F.O."
San Francisco, California
thrash metal veterans METAL CHURCH have posted a video for "F.A.F.O.", a stand alone single, unleashed 11/21/2025 via RAT PAK RECORDS and REAPER
ENTERTAINMENT...
METAL CHURCH have posted "FAKE HEALER (LIVE IN
JAPAN)", a track from the bands anticipated new live release "THE FINAL
SERMON LIVE IN JAPAN 2019)", unleashed 7/26/2024 via REAPER
ENTERTAINMENT.
METAL CHURCH, unleashed "CONGREGATION OF
ANNIHILATION", 5/26/2023 via RAT PAK RECORDS.
METAL CHURCH have announced MARC LOPES as the bands new vocalist.
FROM METAL CHURCH:
Press Release METAL CHURCH RETURNS WITH NEW LINEUP, SINGLE AND MUSIC VIDEO "F.A.F.O":
The new lineup consists of founding member, guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, guitarist Rick Van Zandt, bassist David Ellefson, drummer Ken Mary and vocalist Brian Allen.
New Album of Metal Church Music to be Released in 2026 via Rat Pak Records.
West Coast heavy metal veterans Metal Church return with a revitalized lineup and a hard-hitting new single that underscores the sound that has driven their four-decade legacy. The new formation features founding member and guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, alongside longtime guitarist Rick Van Zandt, joined by bass icon David Ellefson, powerhouse drummer Ken Mary, and dynamic new vocalist Brian Allen.
Following the band’s recent tour and return from Australia, Metal Church found themselves at a crossroads. An unexpected spark reignited Kurdt’s creative drive, prompting him to reach out to the musicians who would ultimately shape the group’s next chapter. Their chemistry in the studio gave rise to the blistering new track “F.A.F.O.” — a song that immediately energized the band and inspired them to continue writing and recording. The new single was produced by Kurdt Vanderhoof and mixed/mastered by Zeuss at Planet Z.
Those sessions have now evolved into a brand-new Metal Church album, set for release in 2026 via Rat Pak Records. Additional details will be announced soon.
“After 45 years, the fact that we have new music coming in 2025 feels like a miracle. There was a time when I honestly didn’t think Metal Church would continue, but we’re back—and this lineup is firing on all cylinders. I can’t tell you how excited I am to have a new single on the way; that alone makes this moment incredibly special. ‘F.A.F.O.’ is an aggressive thrasher, and I think the fans are really going to dig it. We certainly do—otherwise it wouldn’t be Metal Church,” explains Kurdt Vanderhoof.
Metal Church plan to tour extensively in 2026 and some festival dates have already been announced with more to come. All information on touring plans and links to tickets can be found at: https://www.metalchurchofficial.com
Wed, Aug 5, 2026 - Josefov, Czech - Brutal Assault Festival
Sat, Aug 8, 2026 - Kortrijik, Belgium - Alcatraz Festival
Sun, Aug 9, 2026 - Geiselwind, Germany - Keep It True Festival
Born out of the explosive West Coast metal scene of the early ’80s, Metal Church quickly established themselves as one of the genre’s most formidable and musically sophisticated bands. After signing with Elektra Records, the group released two landmark albums — their self-titled debut Metal Church and its follow-up The Dark — both of which remain essential listening in the heavy metal canon. As the U.S. metal wave surged, Metal Church hit the road with label-mates Metallica, further solidifying their reputation for precision, power, and uncompromising intensity. The band continued to evolve into the late ’80s and early ’90s, tackling political and social themes with vocalist Mike Howe on the acclaimed albums Blessing in Disguise and The Human Factor. While many peers shifted toward the era’s commercial trends, Metal Church stayed true to their heavy roots — a commitment that earned them a loyal global following. In 2016, the band reunited with Howe for their eleventh studio album XI, which debuted at #57 on the Billboard Top 200and charted internationally, marking one of the strongest comebacks in modern metal. Its 2018 successor, Damned If You Do, continued that momentum with additional worldwide chart success and reaffirmed the band’s enduring relevance.
Now entering a powerful new chapter, Metal Church features founding member, guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, longtime guitarist Rick Van Zandt, bass legend David Ellefson, elite drummer Ken Mary, and dynamic vocalist Brian Allen. With renewed energy, a legacy spanning over four decades, and a rapidly expanding worldwide fan base, Metal Church remains a driving force in modern heavy metal — still pushing forward, still evolving, and still unmistakably Metal Church.
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ITP RATING SYSTEM FOR EXTREME METAL CD REVIEWS:
A feature entitled ITP BLAST BACK REVIEWS: A RE RATE of reviews (that year) to see if I over or under rated certain releases. Just the rating, and there's no guarantee that all ratings will change. All ITP REVIEWS are on a BELL CURVE in comparison to previous (band/artist) releases and whatever else is released that year in said genre.
ITP EXTREME METAL RELEASE REVIEW RATING SYSTEM:
***** (5 stars)=Awesome, a classic, timeless, unholy
**** 1/2 (4 and half stars)=amazing, perhaps this bands best
**** (4 stars)=very good, well worth the purchase
*** 1/2 (3 1/2 stars)=Good, standard fare, for fans and not new converts
*** (3 stars)=Good, but flawed, no progression here
** 1/2 (2 1/2 stars)=Bordering on mediocrity, band is overrated
** (two stars)=somewhere between mediocre and SUKETH
* 1/2 (1 1/2 stars)= SUKETH (this release SUCKS)
* (one star)=Awful, this CD can only be used as a beer coaster or a Frisbee.
? (No stars)=this band and release blow goats.
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-l-
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ITP V.024 REVIEWS: 2024-:
7/7/2024--MY DYING BRIDE: "A MORTAL BINDING"
ITP EXTREME METAL NEWS FEATURES:
NOTES FROM THE EXTREME METAL UNDERGROUND (DEATH,GRIND, THRASH METAL NEWS), HUMANITY IS DOOMED (FUNERAL DOOM, DEATH/DOOM, SLUDGE, BLACKENED DOOM, AVANT), BLACK METAL NEWS (DEPRESSIVE, WAR, BLACKENED THRASH, AMBIENT)
SPRING 2024 (T.B.A.)
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-
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