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METAL CHURCH
Dead To Rights

Rat Pak (2026)
Rating: 7.5/10

I’m not going to bore you with the Metal Church history lesson like most reviews will probably resort to. Let’s just focus on this, the next chapter and one we should be thankful for as sole survivor and guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof assembles a new line-up with Brian Allen (vocals, ex-Vicious Rumors), Dave Ellefson (bass, ex-Megadeth) and Ken Mary (drums, Fifth Angel / Flotsam & Jetsam) joining Vanderhoof and Rick van Zandt (guitar).

Still combining power metal and thrash, Metal Church continues to bridge metal genre styles successfully as deliciously crafted leads are contrasted by the more in-your-face vocal style of Allen. With both soaring falsetto’s and levelled grit, Allen brings a fiery dynamic. When the combo rips into thrashy trajectories, Allen steps up to the plate yapping through ‘F.A.F.O.’ to the tirades of Mary’s drums. For some, Allen’s snaps may be an acquired taste, but they are befitting, certainly of the faster cuts. However, the vocalist boasts incredible versatility too.

On ‘The Show’ and ‘No Memory’ the band shifts seamlessly from speedy passages to rich, textured bristling power metal, and with these transitions Allen applies his flexibility. One can see why he fits in so well, and also what made him such an asset to Vicious Rumors too. Both Vicious Rumors and Metal Church belong in that cult metal league of bands that, through the 80s and beyond, deserved the big time but somehow just simmered below.

‘Feet To The Fire’ is a massive mid-paced groove machine, rattling with an almost serrated riff as Allen slows his rage to a more brooding command. Allen is certainly closer to the grit of former Metal Church vocalist David Wayne than the soaring steel of Mike Howe, but with that he brings a solidity and consistency, the band always providing a feisty layering given extra gravel by the vocals, especially on ‘Deep Cover Shakedown’ and the juggernaut ‘Wasted Time’.

By assembling such veterans, Vanderhoof has steadied a ship that on several occasions previously looked like it was sinking. Instead, Dead To Rights is a stable vessel; there’s nothing extraordinary about its construction but Metal Church has transformed out of its battle weary state and into something more formidably rejuvenated.

There’s not a bad song on here, just a formation of sturdy numbers from the straight up metal category. It’s not necessarily an opus littered with creative spikes, its flair tends to act as gelling agent whereby the band can simply churn out heavy, rolling compositions (‘Brainwash Game’ and ‘My Wrath’) at either end of the metal spectrum. To report on this platter as a solid slab makes me happy – the Metal Church vehicle remains fully armoured.

Neil Arnold

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