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Posted in music on November 23, 2004

Metal Church | Some Kind of Monster

I just watched the video for Metallica's "Some Kind of Monster" and it made me want to cry. A band who at one time held the title of "my favorite band," has literally turned into some kind of monster. But that's old news, right? Metallica bashing is like so last year, or the year before, or maybe the year before that...

What's more interesting is that Heavy Metal legends Metal Church will grace the stage of NYC's, 200 capacity, Continental on November 27th. Hardly glamorous, they've got the 10:30 slot in between '3 Inches of Blood' and Black Sabbath tribute band, 'Sabra Cadabra.' That also makes me want to cry.

What does Metal Church mean to me? I was a lucky little kid. (Without getting into too many details...) I first saw Metal Church perform (in Philadelphia I think) in 1986. I actually wasn't there to see them. It was their Elektra Records label-mate, Metallica, that my parents brought me to see. They were touring in support of Master of Puppets, an album I can blame for most of who I am today (my first heavy metal tape).

It was during Metal Church's opening set that I had my first exposure to head-banging. Scores of long-haired metal-heads banged their head in unison to the sound of thrash metal pioneers. I thought for sure I had discovered the Church of Satan, and I liked it. After the show I quickly purchased the Metal Church cassette and put it in regular rotation. Much like everyone else though, it never held as high a position in my collection as Master of Puppets. Metallica rose to mainstream success as Metal Church fell into obscurity.

Some interesting Metal Church facts:

The Melvins opened for Metal Church in 1984.

Metal Church signed to Elektra Records in 1985.

Lars Ulrich was almost the drummer of Metal Church instead of Metallica.

John Marshall of Metal Church, was Kirk Hammet(of Metallica)'s long time friend and guitar tech. He also played guitar for James Hetfield on tour when James was injured.

Dave Grohl cites Metal Church as an influence.

In 1989, Metal Church got a new singer. Since then they've broken up, gotten back together, and completely changed their lineup.

There are only two original members left, and neither of them are the singer. I guess that hardly makes them Metal Church, and might partly explain this gig:

Metal Church
Continental, NYC
November 27th, 2004, 10:30 pm

Tempting, but I probably won't see you there.

For more information on tour dates and their new album, visit Metal Church's official site.

Posted on November 23, 2004 9:01 PM

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