Wayne was crucial for the first 2 albums while Howe stood his ground until his untimely demise, proving to be a distinct US Metal peer of classic figures like Graham Bonnet or the late Steve Grimmet, and more praise also goes to Kirk, whose drum pounding also became a trademark for MC. I still managed to see MC with Mike Howe in Portugal (at last!), at Vagos Metal Fest 2017, on an incredibly sunny August afternoon, being listening to them since 1984. Vagos is a small coast town, in the lower limits of Northern Portugal, next to the Atlantic, not to be confused with the famous motorcycle club from San Bernardino...
Metal Church was right up there with Slayer , Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax. That first Metal Church album was as good as any debut by the other Titans of Metal
If Metal Church would have put out that all important genre defining third record like Master of Puppets, Among the Living and Reign in Blood. (Megadeth achieving this on their second, Peace Sells), their would have been a big 5, instead of big 4.
@@CraigGoldsberry-vx7re no I didn't but I always felt like they lost a key member when he left the group. Those first two Metal Church albums are my favorites by them.
@@joeboer6145It is the greatest, glad to finally find someone who agrees. There's some 6/8 Time sections, some insanely Heavy Metal songs, as well as great melodic clean sections
Definitely one of the BEST metal bands of all time. The albums Metal Church, and The Dark are epic, and still holds up today and blows away the new trash.
Absolutely!! Metal Church needs so much more praise. I have been listening to them since the 80's and saw them on The Dark tour and then later with Ronnie Monroe. Definitely one of my all time favorite bands.
The first Metal Church album is unquestionably one of the greatest metal albums ever made with some of the most impressive drumming I’ve ever heard on any metal album. Even though they had some fantastic albums after, they never again reached the impressively creative songwriting and ferocity of that first album. If they had maintained the original lineup and improved on subsequent albums I think they would have been up there with bands like Megadeth and Slayer etc. With that said, even if they never made another album, they would still be legends based on the strength of their debut. RIP David, Kirk and Mike.
First album was amazing. It was back when you bought albums based on the cover art and hoped it didn't suck. They never came close to that magic again.
@@coyleigh Was gonna say something similar. The Dark is somewhat different than the debut, it's definitely more melodic and groovier. But goddamn if every track on that album doesn't kick so much ass.
Hilarious, But TRUE, My Sister Saw The Cover and Handed it to me, IM STILL SO GLAD She did that , I Can still remember Where it was too... ROLLING STONES RECORDS In NORRIDGE ILLINOIS.......👍🤘
This channel is one of the only music channels that actually plays the music. I hate when a channel discusses a band or album and don't play any of the music.
In 1988/89, i became the lead vocalist for an Aberdeen based band named Rude Awakening. They were good friends with the Metal Church guys, and when they were auditioning new singers, i was invited to audition. At the time, my life wasn’t in a good place, so i didn’t audition. I regret that choice. I don’t know if I’d have won out over Mike, because he was very good. However, i think I’d have been a contender. Regardless, they were all great guys, a good friend of mine got an audition through my recommendation, and in the end, Mike was a fantastic addition to MC. Great memories hanging out above the fish market. The NW in the late 80’s and 90’s was an amazing time to live up there…
Cool story... man yeah, whatever your life was offering at the time kept you from achieving something awesome, but... Good news is you're still here so maybe it was a blessing you didn't audition. MADNESS REIGNS!!
@@Savatage1964 nah, i wish I’d have done it. I was 21, had a 4 octave range, and it’s was mostly fear that kept me from doing it. I never let that fear hold me back again…
I vividly remember hearing their debut album when it came out. It hit "like a ton of bricks." There will never be another metal scene like the 80s. So glad I got to experience it when it was all fresh and new.
I can still remember how blown away I was the first time my buddy Derek popped the first two Metal Church cassette tapes into the stereo. The riffs on their first two albums were mind numbing, absolute classics. Derek passed away a year ago, getting old sucks, but I'll take the memory of the fun we had together as teenagers into the next life.
I think their debut is one of the best metal albums ever. Amazing organic sound, drums that swing and the music is about as unpretentious as it gets and it seems to exude a joy of playing. Things that are not often found with other metal bands and sadly I feel they lost much of that on later albums.
I remember I was like 16 in my bedroom, i just returned from the record store . With this album!! When i listened to the first track, i was blown away and listened to it over and over for a number of days... Phenomenal band!!
Metal Church never had a bad album really. Some better than others but none bad. Consistent ass kickers! Still miss Mike. One of my all time favorites...
The first two albums are the best of Metal Church with David Wayne on vocals, I'am glad I see them live those days. And no singer after Wayne was better.
Exactly as they have always been. I'm from Europe yet MC remains - and will remain - in my US Metal shrine of respect, one alongside Manilla Road, Cirith Ungol, Omen, Liege Lord and Brocas Helm, as well as many more from back in the day. Before buying the lp's, i first heard Metal Church on BBC 1 AM world service, on Tommy Vance's Friday Rock Show, having the same impact on me as when Vance played No life till leather or Satan's Fall, still on their incipient audio forms. Going back to your comment, this is the stuff Metal Legends are made of, regardless of one's age.
@@jocksilver7 Check out Ashbury sometime if you haven't--epic rock, not strictly metal, but I think you'd love them. Elements of everything from prog to hard rock to Southern rock and country rock, yet it all blends. Much to appeal to a metal fan. Thanks for the reply!
I’m 52 years old and first heard of them when I was around 14, was instantly a fan. Knowing how popular they were here in central New Jersey, they should have been worldwide megastars! Still listening today.
Of all the USA Power Metal bands that were popular back in the 1980s this Washington state based quintet is by far among the darkest & yet that extreme imagery & potent blend of traditional Heavy, Speed, Power & a little Thrash definitely gives them a big advantage 👍 💯 🤘 🇺🇸 My favorite songs of theirs are:🤩 😍 ❤️ 1. Metal Church(their self titled debut song of course)🎶 🎵 🎧 🤘 2., Beyond the Black 3. Watch the Children Pray 🤲 🙏 👧 👦 🧒 4. Gods of Wrath 5. Anthem for the Estranged 6. Mirror of Lies 🪞
@@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812 seriously. I know the current queensryche lign up isn't the real thing but I saw them with priest last year and it was really cool
I literally, LITERALLY, wore out my first cassette of their debut album. It sounded like a giant hiss after being on a constant loop in mine and every friends car stereo for a couple of years.
Definitely underrated. The first 3 albums are classics. Ever since reforming in 2004, most of the stuff they've released has been pretty solid. A few killer songs on each album. Badass live band!!! 🤘😝🤘
Mike Howe...an exceptionally brilliantly, beautiful singer.... a voice so hauntingly beautiful... and, that vocal range... intensely reminiscent of Michael Kiske... Howe holds that range so well, with massive, forced intensity! he was truly one of my favorite singers of all-time! the Metal world is just not the same without him; and no matter how many times I've listened to "Badlands", I still get massive, intense chills when listening to it, every single time! I appreciate your video to such a great, epic band! I enjoyed this video so very, very much!
Michael Kiske? They don’t sound anything alike. Mike’s voice was raspy and Kiske was squeaky clean. Also Howe didn’t sing anywhere near as high as Kiske. Both fantastic singers but…Apples and Oranges.
@@ohman1832 yep. I saw Howe with MC here on their tour in 2017(?)? He sounded great. I saw Kiske on the Pumpkins United tour in Chicago and that was a religious experience vocally. Lord.
@@ohman1832 please re-read my comment again... I never said they sounded anything alike... I said reminiscent (as in like, reminds me of), I didn't say anything at all about them sounding alike, cause they don't. I also said range, not high... vocal range can mean more than just "high", I was more talking about the longevity of Howe's voice, along with a voice being as hauntingly beautiful (like how Kiske's is) to me . I will 💯% agree that they are both fantastic singers
@@TrumpetsInMy4x12 oh, I bet it was! I was introduced to Helloween/ Michael Kiske back in the 80s, at the Atlanta Civic Center, on the Headbanger's Ball tour, with Exodus and Anthrax. I already was a fan of Exodus and Anthrax; but, when Helloween got on stage, and Michael Kiske started singing, I thought damn! Bruce Dickenson, I thought he had a vocal range that couldnt be beat, then I hear Kiske... a singing voice totally other-worldly, and then hearing Metal Church "Badlands"... I was like damn... that vocal range! Howe truly was really something else, his voice, just as intensely powerful... so much so, like Kiske! so lucky you got to see Metal Church! I never got to.
I love this band, I really do. When Mike passed away it tore a hole in my soul, my favorite vocalist and person ever alongside Dio. I spent years wishing Mike would come back to the band and when he did it was everything I wanted and more. But life goes on and so does Metal Church.
Fell in love with the Church n Wayne's vocals are awesome n then I named my first son David Wayne. First two albums are great, even Davids next band Reverend are great as well. Even Blessing in disguise album is good to with Howe singing RIP DAVID N MIKE
When some non metal head asks me what metal music sounds like, I give them Metal Church as one of the best examples. I had a college friend that got into metal because of this band.
I know this is going to sound weird, but back in the day, I would often pass a on a band because they had what I would consider a silly name. Metal Church is a good example and as a result, I never made a purchase etc. Incidentally, I almost passed on Megadeth for the same reason until a friend showed me some tunes. Thank you for posting these retrospect's and showing what some of us may have missed.
Nah that's not weird, we all judged albums by the cover back then. So often it's all you had to go on when browsing the music store. And I agree, Metal Church is a pretty bad band name imo, and none of their covers were that great. Probably did the music a disservice.
Back in the 80s, I bought the Metal Church album based on the strength of the name and was not disappointed. Recall listening to this many times and enjoying it, though I was more into thrash at the time. But for power metal you can't beat Metal Church. Got The Dark too and liked it.
I Saw Metal Church back in the day and was fortunate enough to see them again a few years ago at Hellfest. Everyone was in fine form. It was good to hear Mike with them again and he had a huge smile on his face the whole show.
Also worth noting is the northwest metalfest comp from either 84 or 85, featuring Metal Church and other up and coming Seattle bands. It might have been before metal massacre 5. I talked about it on my channel recently.
I was a fan when I took a chance on their debut album Metal Church, still a fan to this day...underrated in my opinion....Blessing in disguise is a masterpiece. Metal Church XI is another masterpiece...Needle and suture, the signal path....awesome songs
I had the opportunity to talk to Mike Howe. He was a very cool guy. He really liked my description of Metal Church being the thinking mans metal. He said he really wanted to write songs that mattered. Very happy the band kept going after his death.
A stellar power thrash metal band with top notch powerful killer vocals and with heavy catchy riffs and melodies, I really love this band. I remember hearing about David Wayne and Mike Howe's passing through internet which really saddened me and still does as I really loved these amazing singers and it breaks my heart that they are no longer with us, they will be forever in our hearts. ♥🤘🎸
I was in a small record store in SF right when their debut came out and they were blasting it. Bought it on the spot. One of the best debuts ever. I didn't get into the non-Wayne albums but need to revisit them.
I was best friends with Kurt Vanderhoof in grade school. His dad was the program director at the FM rock station in Aberdeen WA in the late 60s. He brought Kurt all of the free promo albums not suitable for airplay. The heaviest stuff. Kurt had a full Pearl trap set and a Teisco guitar and a Fender Amp and a Farfisa organ in grade school that we bashed on..
Kurdt often sounds as if he hates the album because it was apparently a difficult ordeal to make, but "Into Dust" from 'Masterpeace' is one of my absolute favorite MC tunes.
Blessing in Disguise is one of the most perfect metal lps ever. After Mike Howe left they should've brought the guy from the 1st Vanderhoof record in on vocals.Loving this episode.
Back in the 80s, I had a demo, an instrumental Metal Church demo with Merciless Onslaught and Red Skies, the Anvil Chorus song. So that must have been the earliest Metal Church, the SF version. Must have been some overlap in band members. Red Skies is an amazing song. Afterwards the four hymns demo kicked ass!
Mike Howe's death hit me really hard and to this day has left me with an empty feeling.. Metal Church are such a phenomenal group and are in my personal top 10 favorite bands so there's no reason why they should've called it quits after his passing... But I dunno, man... it's such a void to fill.. they won't ever be the same...
They didn't call it quits after Mike's passing. They have a new singer ( Marc Lopez). They also Released a new album back in May of this year intitled "CONGREGATION OF ANNIHILATION".
One of my favorite early bands from my childhood. Wayne+Vanderhoof were the secret combination for making some of the greatest metal albums of all time. Also, they created the very rare combination of song "Metal Church" by the band Metal Church from the album "Metal Church". EDIT: "Masterpeace" if excellent, IMO!
Getting Mike Howe was the best thing they could have done. The music and vocals both stepped up a notch after he joined. Great singer and he is missed. Blessing and Human Factor are their best albums.
Really liked this one. Metal Church, along with Savatage, TNT, and Metallica were basically all I listened to in my last 3 years of HS. I got out of them after Hanging In The Balance. I was getting kind of tired of Mike Howe. I didn't realize Dave came back until he died much much later. Great highlight of one of my favorite bands. Badlands still gives me chills, as does Burial At Sea. So many memories.....
“The Dark" remains one of my favorite albums from my high school era. Funny story about that... My one buddy looked just like one of the band members (forget who). I mean, he was the spitting image from the band photo. So, I brought it in, told all my friends in my one shop class that I had a huge reveal about Krauss (this friend's last name) & that he had some explaining to do to all of us. Everyone's interest was completely piqued. I pulled out the album, opened to the band photo, pointed at the band member, and said "Krauss, why didn't you tell us all you were in Metal Church?" Everyone laughed so hard & called him that guy's name for about a week. 😂🤘
I remember an interview with Nirvana (also from Aberdeen, WA), where they were bagging on Metal Church, because grunge was the new thing, and metal was considered passe. I thought, "Way to support your local scene, a-holes!" That's when I knew I was metal for life, and eff trends.
Great documentary and overview ! Much appreciated ! I've been a fan since about 92-93 and have since always wanted to know more about Metal Church. This was the most I've ever learned about them. Thank you @Metal School !
R.I.P. and everlasting respect to David Wayne, Mike Howe and Kirk Arrington.
@PowerslaveBiatch Thanks! 😎
I had no idea that Kirk Arrington passed away.
@@JoeyArmstrong2800 Sadly he did, and it was pretty recent. I think in May. I know he had struggled with health issues for a long time. 😞🥁🥁
Yes.
Wayne was crucial for the first 2 albums while Howe stood his ground until his untimely demise, proving to be a distinct US Metal peer of classic figures like Graham Bonnet or the late Steve Grimmet, and more praise also goes to Kirk, whose drum pounding also became a trademark for MC. I still managed to see MC with Mike Howe in Portugal (at last!), at Vagos Metal Fest 2017, on an incredibly sunny August afternoon, being listening to them since 1984. Vagos is a small coast town, in the lower limits of Northern Portugal, next to the Atlantic, not to be confused with the famous motorcycle club from San Bernardino...
Metal Church was right up there with Slayer , Metallica, Megadeth, and Anthrax. That first Metal Church album was as good as any debut by the other Titans of Metal
No argument here
If Metal Church would have put out that all important genre defining third record like Master of Puppets, Among the Living and Reign in Blood. (Megadeth achieving this on their second, Peace Sells), their would have been a big 5, instead of big 4.
I agree.....hey did you ever hear the singer's solo album WAYNE? It rocks too
@@CraigGoldsberry-vx7re no I didn't but I always felt like they lost a key member when he left the group. Those first two Metal Church albums are my favorites by them.
@@ponzo1967 play it loud
Very underrated band. First 2 albums are classics
I would say first 3. People really should give Blessing in Disguise some justice.
First 3!
And Blessing in Disguise? The Human Factor?
That’s a weird way to spell “First 5 albums”.
@@sadboi7537agreed!
Blessing in disguise is one of the greatest metal albums of all time
Oh yeah... Agreed
@@joeboer6145It is the greatest, glad to finally find someone who agrees. There's some 6/8 Time sections, some insanely Heavy Metal songs, as well as great melodic clean sections
The Dark 🤘🏻🎸
Metal Church is definitely one of the best American heavy metal album of the 80s.
Still baffles me - they wanted a cute singer with blonde hair ?
David Wayne’s vocals on the song Metal Church..crushing!
Kirk Arrington was an incredibly talented drummer. Wonderful Technical abilities, groove and a pocket as deep as the Grand Canyon.
Has always been my favorite
So Well said,..As Deep as The GRANDE CANYON,... !👍 Definitely One The MOST Underrated Metal Drummers ..
He was One of the Best and one of my FAVORITES EVER... Incredible Fills....👍
Definitely one of the BEST metal bands of all time. The albums Metal Church, and The Dark are epic, and still holds up today and blows away the new trash.
Absolutely!! Metal Church needs so much more praise. I have been listening to them since the 80's and saw them on The Dark tour and then later with Ronnie Monroe. Definitely one of my all time favorite bands.
Yes, but Havok & Agelus Apatrida are very good.
Burial At Sea, absolute storming track off the Dark. Remember going to Shades records in St Anne’s Court to buy it on import
The first Metal Church album is unquestionably one of the greatest metal albums ever made with some of the most impressive drumming I’ve ever heard on any metal album. Even though they had some fantastic albums after, they never again reached the impressively creative songwriting and ferocity of that first album. If they had maintained the original lineup and improved on subsequent albums I think they would have been up there with bands like Megadeth and Slayer etc. With that said, even if they never made another album, they would still be legends based on the strength of their debut. RIP David, Kirk and Mike.
Cannot agree more. The drumming alone really put them on another level.
I'm not even a metal expert and after one listen it's just obvious to me .. METAL CHURCH debute is unworldly 😮
First album was amazing. It was back when you bought albums based on the cover art and hoped it didn't suck. They never came close to that magic again.
Shit are you crazy? " The Dark" is a metal classic and one of my all time favorites by any band in any genre.
@@coyleigh Was gonna say something similar. The Dark is somewhat different than the debut, it's definitely more melodic and groovier. But goddamn if every track on that album doesn't kick so much ass.
No singer could keep up with David Wayne. Dio even said so. BUT METAL IS METAL. Looking back, glad I was there for ir
Hilarious, But TRUE, My Sister Saw The Cover and Handed it to me, IM STILL SO GLAD She did that , I Can still remember Where it was too... ROLLING STONES RECORDS In NORRIDGE ILLINOIS.......👍🤘
The Dark is absolute masterpiece as well. One of the best 1-2 combinations ever in metal.
This channel is absolute gold.
This channel is one of the only music channels that actually plays the music. I hate when a channel discusses a band or album and don't play any of the music.
@@plslakewood It's because of copyright strikes, which can demonetize and eventually delete the channel.
In 1988/89, i became the lead vocalist for an Aberdeen based band named Rude Awakening. They were good friends with the Metal Church guys, and when they were auditioning new singers, i was invited to audition. At the time, my life wasn’t in a good place, so i didn’t audition. I regret that choice. I don’t know if I’d have won out over Mike, because he was very good. However, i think I’d have been a contender. Regardless, they were all great guys, a good friend of mine got an audition through my recommendation, and in the end, Mike was a fantastic addition to MC. Great memories hanging out above the fish market. The NW in the late 80’s and 90’s was an amazing time to live up there…
Is this you guys? ruclips.net/video/RzE74n29zXM/видео.html
Cool story... man yeah, whatever your life was offering at the time kept you from achieving something awesome, but...
Good news is you're still here so maybe it was a blessing you didn't audition.
MADNESS REIGNS!!
@@Savatage1964 nah, i wish I’d have done it. I was 21, had a 4 octave range, and it’s was mostly fear that kept me from doing it. I never let that fear hold me back again…
@@allendean9807I just think of other metal singers when I sing, like King Diamond or Bruce Dickinson. If they can do it… so can we
RIP Mike Howe. Saw an interview he had done with a young metal fan and was impressed. Seemed like a pretty good dude!
One of my favorite Drummers of all time Kirk Arrington. RIP my friend
Such a great band.....We miss you Mike Howe
The 1st Metal Church record is a Classic Album and a perfect Record IMO . If your a Metal / Thrash Fan you have to own this Record period !!!
Another Sunday, another Metal School. Just made my day!. I loved Metal Church. R.I.P David Wayne, Mike Howe and Kirk Arrington.
I vividly remember hearing their debut album when it came out. It hit "like a ton of bricks." There will never be another metal scene like the 80s. So glad I got to experience it when it was all fresh and new.
First album is epic. Especially the song Metal Church. That one is beyond epic.
I listening this album once a week😂
The Dark is one of my all time fave albums, still listening it to this day
WAY UNDER RATED!!
I can still remember how blown away I was the first time my buddy Derek popped the first two Metal Church cassette tapes into the stereo. The riffs on their first two albums were mind numbing, absolute classics. Derek passed away a year ago, getting old sucks, but I'll take the memory of the fun we had together as teenagers into the next life.
Duke Erickson was such a beast on the bass. He had such chemistry with Kirk Arrington and was heavy as hell. Severely underrated.
The Human Factor is a hugely underrated metal album!
I love every meal church album, but Human factor is my favorite
Date With Poverty!!!!
Metal Church's Blessing in Disguise was one of the first metal albums I had when I was a teenager.
I think their debut is one of the best metal albums ever.
Amazing organic sound, drums that swing and the music is about as unpretentious as it gets and it seems to exude a joy of playing.
Things that are not often found with other metal bands and sadly I feel they lost much of that on later albums.
Blessing in Disguise was 1000 times better than the debut
An absolute great doc on Metal church who were so underrated and should have been bigger than they were. R.I.P Mike, David and Kirk.
about time you covered this band!
The human factor is still one of my all time favorites
I remember I was like 16 in my bedroom, i just returned from the record store . With this album!! When i listened to the first track, i was blown away and listened to it over and over for a number of days... Phenomenal band!!
Metal Church never had a bad album really. Some better than others but none bad. Consistent ass kickers! Still miss Mike. One of my all time favorites...
The first two albums are the best of Metal Church with David Wayne on vocals, I'am glad I see them live those days. And no singer after Wayne was better.
Even the band REVEREND. Wayne shined just as bright.
Their 1st album is their best and is a metal classic.
Legends of US trad metal. Elements of thrash, speed, power and classic metal, unique and not readily fitting any one single category.
The Dark was closer to Power Metal
Exactly as they have always been. I'm from Europe yet MC remains - and will remain - in my US Metal shrine of respect, one alongside Manilla Road, Cirith Ungol, Omen, Liege Lord and Brocas Helm, as well as many more from back in the day. Before buying the lp's, i first heard Metal Church on BBC 1 AM world service, on Tommy Vance's Friday Rock Show, having the same impact on me as when Vance played No life till leather or Satan's Fall, still on their incipient audio forms. Going back to your comment, this is the stuff Metal Legends are made of, regardless of one's age.
@@jocksilver7 Check out Ashbury sometime if you haven't--epic rock, not strictly metal, but I think you'd love them. Elements of everything from prog to hard rock to Southern rock and country rock, yet it all blends. Much to appeal to a metal fan. Thanks for the reply!
The guitar players in most of these bands are really spectacular, King Diamond Also. They understand guitar melody and harmony very very well.
Won tickets to see these guys from a local radio station back in 1986. It was one of the best shows I've ever seen, ever.
I’m 52 years old and first heard of them when I was around 14, was instantly a fan. Knowing how popular they were here in central New Jersey, they should have been worldwide megastars! Still listening today.
Where in central Jersey? Somerville? Somerset? Raritan?
Of all the USA Power Metal bands that were popular back in the 1980s this Washington state based quintet is by far among the darkest & yet that extreme imagery & potent blend of traditional Heavy, Speed, Power & a little Thrash definitely gives them a big advantage 👍 💯 🤘 🇺🇸
My favorite songs of theirs are:🤩 😍 ❤️
1. Metal Church(their self titled debut song of course)🎶 🎵 🎧 🤘
2., Beyond the Black
3. Watch the Children Pray 🤲 🙏 👧 👦 🧒
4. Gods of Wrath
5. Anthem for the Estranged
6. Mirror of Lies 🪞
One of the best Pacific Northwest metal bands of all time. Queensryche is still my fav, but these guys are awesome and more metal i would say
Yea, Metal Church and Queensryche were the creme de la creme of 80s metal from Seattle.
That would be a great live show.
@@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812 seriously. I know the current queensryche lign up isn't the real thing but I saw them with priest last year and it was really cool
I literally, LITERALLY, wore out my first cassette of their debut album. It sounded like a giant hiss after being on a constant loop in mine and every friends car stereo for a couple of years.
I wouldn't believe you but you did say literally not once, but twice.
Definitely underrated. The first 3 albums are classics. Ever since reforming in 2004, most of the stuff they've released has been pretty solid. A few killer songs on each album. Badass live band!!! 🤘😝🤘
Such enthusiastic channel without caring whether their video can monetize or not. Total respekt. I can't do the same.
Mike Howe...an exceptionally brilliantly, beautiful singer.... a voice so hauntingly beautiful... and, that vocal range... intensely reminiscent of Michael Kiske... Howe holds that range so well, with massive, forced intensity! he was truly one of my favorite singers of all-time! the Metal world is just not the same without him; and no matter how many times I've listened to "Badlands", I still get massive, intense chills when listening to it, every single time! I appreciate your video to such a great, epic band! I enjoyed this video so very, very much!
"Badlands" is insanely good. There's not many better songs from that era.
Michael Kiske? They don’t sound anything alike. Mike’s voice was raspy and Kiske was squeaky clean. Also Howe didn’t sing anywhere near as high as Kiske. Both fantastic singers but…Apples and Oranges.
@@ohman1832 yep. I saw Howe with MC here on their tour in 2017(?)? He sounded great. I saw Kiske on the Pumpkins United tour in Chicago and that was a religious experience vocally. Lord.
@@ohman1832 please re-read my comment again... I never said they sounded anything alike... I said reminiscent (as in like, reminds me of), I didn't say anything at all about them sounding alike, cause they don't. I also said range, not high... vocal range can mean more than just "high", I was more talking about the longevity of Howe's voice, along with a voice being as hauntingly beautiful (like how Kiske's is) to me .
I will 💯% agree that they are both fantastic singers
@@TrumpetsInMy4x12 oh, I bet it was! I was introduced to Helloween/ Michael Kiske back in the 80s, at the Atlanta Civic Center, on the Headbanger's Ball tour, with Exodus and Anthrax. I already was a fan of Exodus and Anthrax; but, when Helloween got on stage, and Michael Kiske started singing, I thought damn! Bruce Dickenson, I thought he had a vocal range that couldnt be beat, then I hear Kiske... a singing voice totally other-worldly, and then hearing Metal Church "Badlands"... I was like damn... that vocal range! Howe truly was really something else, his voice, just as intensely powerful... so much so, like Kiske!
so lucky you got to see Metal Church! I never got to.
I love this band, I really do. When Mike passed away it tore a hole in my soul, my favorite vocalist and person ever alongside Dio. I spent years wishing Mike would come back to the band and when he did it was everything I wanted and more. But life goes on and so does Metal Church.
Sad that two of their singers had such tragic ends. Another great video though!
i still listen to them more than any other band
Fell in love with the Church n Wayne's vocals are awesome n then I named my first son David Wayne. First two albums are great, even Davids next band Reverend are great as well. Even Blessing in disguise album is good to with Howe singing RIP DAVID N MIKE
Such an underrated band, and so damned sad all the tragedy they endured.
When some non metal head asks me what metal music sounds like, I give them Metal Church as one of the best examples. I had a college friend that got into metal because of this band.
These guys did an awesome job covering "Deep Purple." Their version of "Highway Star" was second to nobody.
Stryper also covered Highway Star. Check it out.
@@weekendwoodworking Yes. They did a decent job too. 🙂 But "Metal Church" was one of our local bands and "Stryper" was not. 😁
Metal Church is one of my favorites Heavy metal bands. Great video!
First metal church album I got was the dark! God bless all the rockers! Dont forget folks JESUS SAVES!
I know this is going to sound weird, but back in the day, I would often pass a on a band because they had what I would consider a silly name. Metal Church is a good example and as a result, I never made a purchase etc. Incidentally, I almost passed on Megadeth for the same reason until a friend showed me some tunes. Thank you for posting these retrospect's and showing what some of us may have missed.
I think Gerald is a silly name 😜
Nah that's not weird, we all judged albums by the cover back then. So often it's all you had to go on when browsing the music store. And I agree, Metal Church is a pretty bad band name imo, and none of their covers were that great. Probably did the music a disservice.
@@jimmycampbell78 Yep..and it fits me 😜
@@xenos_n. Right? I mean I bought Iron Maiden Killers with no clue what they sounded like. Been a fan ever since.
We didn't have the Internet back then and the name of the band definitely was a deciding factor in spending that money on a tape
Back in the 80s, I bought the Metal Church album based on the strength of the name and was not disappointed. Recall listening to this many times and enjoying it, though I was more into thrash at the time. But for power metal you can't beat Metal Church. Got The Dark too and liked it.
I Saw Metal Church back in the day and was fortunate enough to see them again a few years ago at Hellfest. Everyone was in fine form. It was good to hear Mike with them again and he had a huge smile on his face the whole show.
Saw them twice on the dark tour opening for Anthrax then King Diamond. 2 of the best shows I’ve ever seen.
I was 15 yrs old the first time i heard "BEYOND.."
IT SCARED ME!!!
FAN FOR LIFE!!!!
Always good thoughtful songwriting and solid lyrical storytelling too.
Always found their lyrics to be interesting and not too "generic".
Also worth noting is the northwest metalfest comp from either 84 or 85, featuring Metal Church and other up and coming Seattle bands. It might have been before metal massacre 5. I talked about it on my channel recently.
Yes! The high priests of metal! I remember getting their 1st metal church album! Brutal band & wicked riffs!
Did you order the neck brace? lol
@@leatherbound4233uh yeah😂😂😂😂😂
I was a fan when I took a chance on their debut album Metal Church, still a fan to this day...underrated in my opinion....Blessing in disguise is a masterpiece.
Metal Church XI is another masterpiece...Needle and suture, the signal path....awesome songs
Underrated and overlooked...just criminal. Solid discography from start to present time.
See them Saturday Metal Shop Flint. Epic concert. Band sat signed after the show. Best concert ever!
Legendary Band. World class Singers. And Arrington blew all Metal Drummers away. Best Metal Album, and Best Debut Album ever. Iconic🤘🤘🫶🫶
I had the opportunity to talk to Mike Howe. He was a very cool guy. He really liked my description of Metal Church being the thinking mans metal. He said he really wanted to write songs that mattered. Very happy the band kept going after his death.
A stellar power thrash metal band with top notch powerful killer vocals and with heavy catchy riffs and melodies, I really love this band. I remember hearing about David Wayne and Mike Howe's passing through internet which really saddened me and still does as I really loved these amazing singers and it breaks my heart that they are no longer with us, they will be forever in our hearts. ♥🤘🎸
I was in a small record store in SF right when their debut came out and they were blasting it. Bought it on the spot. One of the best debuts ever. I didn't get into the non-Wayne albums but need to revisit them.
I was best friends with Kurt Vanderhoof in grade school. His dad was the program director at the FM rock station in Aberdeen WA in the late 60s. He brought Kurt all of the free promo albums not suitable for airplay. The heaviest stuff. Kurt had a full Pearl trap set and a Teisco guitar and a Fender Amp and a Farfisa organ in grade school that we bashed on..
I like Metal Church and I will get all of their albums. 😀👍🤘🎸
Saw these guys open for Metallica in Erlangen Germany early 80's AMAZING show! Metallica even did a short cover of the son "Metal Church"!
The new album is the best thing they’ve done since Hanging In The Balance. Absolutely love the new record.
One of my favorite bands
Kurdt often sounds as if he hates the album because it was apparently a difficult ordeal to make, but "Into Dust" from 'Masterpeace' is one of my absolute favorite MC tunes.
+1 from me. That songs takes me back to being 16.
Blessing in Disguise is one of the most perfect metal lps ever. After Mike Howe left they should've brought the guy from the 1st Vanderhoof record in on vocals.Loving this episode.
My heart is still broken over Mike Howe. 💔
I was hooked on Metal Church, bought the first album in the tape bargain bin. I bought all of their new CDs after that one!
I only saw them live a few times. This band is right up there in my opinion with the greatest bands ever to have come out of Seattle like queensrÿche.
David Wayne had the true voice of a metal maniac. 😎
Been a fan since 84. Playing countless hours on my drums with headphones. Still listening to this day.
One of my favorite bands yes Yes Yes
my 1980`s go to for the metal sound during the h.s. years ! awesome !
Brings back so many memories…….
Back in the 80s, I had a demo, an instrumental Metal Church demo with Merciless Onslaught and Red Skies, the Anvil Chorus song. So that must have been the earliest Metal Church, the SF version. Must have been some overlap in band members. Red Skies is an amazing song. Afterwards the four hymns demo kicked ass!
The drumming is really what helps Metal Church stand out. Blows away most other Metal drummers IMO
Wow!
Agent Green was my fav. It blowes my away back in the days.
Intense and powerfull with good changes.
Great american Metal Band!
Good Job MS
Mike Howe's death hit me really hard and to this day has left me with an empty feeling.. Metal Church are such a phenomenal group and are in my personal top 10 favorite bands so there's no reason why they should've called it quits after his passing... But I dunno, man... it's such a void to fill.. they won't ever be the same...
They didn't call it quits after Mike's passing. They have a new singer ( Marc Lopez). They also Released a new album back in May of this year intitled "CONGREGATION OF ANNIHILATION".
Metal Church Metal Church is a top 5 all time metal album
One of my favorite early bands from my childhood. Wayne+Vanderhoof were the secret combination for making some of the greatest metal albums of all time. Also, they created the very rare combination of song "Metal Church" by the band Metal Church from the album "Metal Church".
EDIT: "Masterpeace" if excellent, IMO!
One of my favorite bands ever
Getting Mike Howe was the best thing they could have done. The music and vocals both stepped up a notch after he joined. Great singer and he is missed.
Blessing and Human Factor are their best albums.
In Jr high and high school I owned two copies of The Dark. One stayed in my car and the other in my room. I didn't go anywhere without that fucker.
Really liked this one. Metal Church, along with Savatage, TNT, and Metallica were basically all I listened to in my last 3 years of HS. I got out of them after Hanging In The Balance. I was getting kind of tired of Mike Howe. I didn't realize Dave came back until he died much much later. Great highlight of one of my favorite bands. Badlands still gives me chills, as does Burial At Sea. So many memories.....
I've been a fan of metal church since 83 just so good God's of wrath 🤘
I wish they leaned into the name more with the covers and music videos earlier on! The "Wayne" album cover is perfect!
“The Dark" remains one of my favorite albums from my high school era. Funny story about that... My one buddy looked just like one of the band members (forget who). I mean, he was the spitting image from the band photo. So, I brought it in, told all my friends in my one shop class that I had a huge reveal about Krauss (this friend's last name) & that he had some explaining to do to all of us. Everyone's interest was completely piqued. I pulled out the album, opened to the band photo, pointed at the band member, and said "Krauss, why didn't you tell us all you were in Metal Church?" Everyone laughed so hard & called him that guy's name for about a week. 😂🤘
I remember an interview with Nirvana (also from Aberdeen, WA), where they were bagging on Metal Church, because grunge was the new thing, and metal was considered passe. I thought, "Way to support your local scene, a-holes!" That's when I knew I was metal for life, and eff trends.
Well nirvana sucked anyway
1st too albums are absolutely classic
Thank you for this, brother. Great trip down memory lane.
Rest in Pieces is one of the greatest songs ever written.🤟🤟🤟
One of my all time favorite bands
Yeah, these guys were present in our rotation collection throughout our 80's metal head years... Especially around Halloween.
Great documentary and overview ! Much appreciated ! I've been a fan since about 92-93 and have since always wanted to know more about Metal Church. This was the most I've ever learned about them. Thank you @Metal School !