West coast metal veterans METAL CHURCH released their 12th full length studio album »Damned If You Do« on December 7, 2018 via Nuclear Blast Records (Rat Pak Records/America & King Records/Japan).
The release is the follow-up to their highly successful 2016 album »XI«, which saw the return of legendary frontman Mike Howe.
»Damned If You Do« is a cross between the band’s iconic »Blessing In Disguise« and »The Human Factor«.
After recently announcing an extensive North American run with Doro’s WARLOCK among others, the quintet is pleased to announce a few selected club shows alongside fellow countrymen ARMORED SAINT to round off their upcoming European summer festival run.
The band’s current itinerary can be found below.
Vocalist Mike Howe states,
“We are thrilled to be heading over to Europe for these shows and to meet up with our fans!” Adds guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, “I’m excited to return to Europe this summer and play alongside so many cool bands!”
METAL CHURCH – European Summer Tour 2019
09.07. H Dunaújváros – Rockmaraton
11.07. CH Zurich – Komplex 457
12.07. I Cremona – Luppolo in Rock
13.07. D Balingen – Bang Your Head!!!w/ ARMORED SAINT
14.07. NL Drachten – Iduna
16.07. D Aschaffenburg – Colos-Saal
18.07. D Essen – Turock
19.07. D Hamburg – Gruenspan
20.07. NL Eindhoven – Dynamo Metalfest
08.08. CZ Jaroměř – Brutal Assault
09.08. UK Derby – Bloodstock Open Air
10.08. E Villena – Leyendas del Rock
11.08. B Kortrijk – Alcatraz Metal Festival
More METAL CHURCH dates:w/ DORO (Warlock), IMAGES OF EDEN
17.04. USA Las Vegas, NV – Count’s Vamp’d
18.04. USA Anaheim, CA – The Parish @ House of Blues
19.04. USA Los Angeles, CA – Whisky a Go-Go
20.04. USA Tempe, AZ – Club Red
23.04. USA Lubbock, TX – Jake’s Backroom*
24.04. USA Austin, TX – Come and Take It Live*
25.04. USA Houston, TX – Scout Bar*
26.04. USA San Antonio, TX – The Rock Box*
27.04. USA Dallas, TX – Trees*
28.04. USA Oklahoma City, OK – City Limits Bar*
30.04. USA St. Louis, MO – Fubar*
01.05. USA Indianapolis, IN – Black Circle Brewery*
02.05. USA Chicago, IL – Reggies
03.05. USA Racine, WI – Route 20
04.05. USA Flint, MI – The Machine Shop Concert Lounge
05.05. USA St. Charles, IL – Arcada Theatre
07.05. USA New York, NY – Highline Ballroom
08.05. USA Reading, PA – Reverb
09.05. USA Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance Theater
10.05. USA Asbury Park, NJ – Asbury Lanes
11.05. USA New Bedford, MA – The Vault Hall @ Greasy Luck
12.05. USA Baltimore, MD – Fish Head Cantina**
13.05. USA Pittsburgh, PA – Crafthouse**
15.05. USA Fridley, MN – Route 47 Pub N Grub
***no DORO; w/ HALCYON WAY
**no DORO; opening acts TBA
27.07. CDN Montréal, QC – Heavy Montréal
13. – 18.10. USA Los Angeles, CA – MegaCruise
]]>American metal band HALCYON WAY have been confirmed as support to heavy/thrash legends METAL CHURCH on their upcoming North American tour, which kicks off on April 23rd in Lubbock (TX). The tour will run through May 15th, with HALCYON WAY playing as the opening act, and IMAGES OF EDEN as direct support. Along the way, HALCYON WAY will play a few headlining dates of their own, including Kansas City (MO) on April 29th and Nashville (TN) on May 3rd.
METAL CHURCH + IMAGES OF EDEN+ HALCYON WAY
More dates TBA:
04/23/19 – Lubbock, TX @ Jake’s Backroom
04/24/19 – Austin, TX @ Come And Take It Live
04/25/19 – Houston, TX @ Scout Bar
04/26/19 – San Antonio, TX @ The Rock Box
04/27/19 – Dallas, TX @ Tree’s
04/28/19 – Oklahoma City, OK @ O.C. Limits
04/29/19 – Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room*
04/30/19 – St. Louis, MO @ Fubar
05/01/19 – Indianapolis, IN @ Black Circle Brewery
05/03/19 – Nasville, TN @ Little Harpeth Brewing*
05/12/19 – Baltimore, MD @ Fish Head Cantina
05/13/19 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Crafthouse
05/15/19 – Fridley, MN @ Route 47 Pub N Grub
*Halcyon Way only
HALCYON WAY’s sound cannot be neatly slotted into any sub-category of metal. It can be described as heavy, catchy, technical, progressive and above all, focused on strong songcraft. From Megadeth to Dream Theater, to Testament and Chimaira – HALCYON WAY draws influences & inspiration from many metal bands. With a magnitude of catchy hooks, vocal harmonies a la King’s X or Stryper, and heavy, technical, yet ultimately accessible instrumentation, the band’s new album “Bloody But Unbowed” (out now on Agonia Records) is sure to please fans of many forms of metal. Be that modern, power, thrash and progressive metal – but also hard rock fans. Crammed full of huge anthemic choruses, shredding solos, and brutal riffs, this release checks off all the boxes.
“Bloody But Unbowed” was recorded, mixed and mastered by Mark Lewis (Whitechapel, Trivium, Bad Wolves, Threat Signal) andis replete with artwork from Travis Smith (Opeth, Overkill, Death, Iced Earth). The album boasts a very special appearance of “The Nailhead Choir”, with notable guest musicians of Queensryche and Iced Earth fame. HALCYON WAY is the ultimate example of blue-collar work ethic, self-reliant bootstrapping, and hard work & perseverance in spite of nearly insurmountable odds. The band has released four studio albums worldwide (through Nightmare Records/Sony RED, Massacre Records and most recently Agonia Records) and has performed on 4 continents (and about 20 countries and counting), touring with the likes of Saxon, Sabaton, Queensryche, Fates Warning, Fozzy, Skid Row, U.D.O., Delain, Angra and Geoff Tate’s Operation: Mindcrime.
Line-up:
Steve Braun – vocals
Jon Bodan – lead guitars, backing vocals, programming
Max Eve – rhythm guitars
Skyler Moore – bass, backing vocals
Aaron Baumoel – drums
HALCYON WAY – Blame (Official Music Video)
HALCYON WAY – Slaves To Silicon (Official Lyric Video)
Buy “Bloody But Unbowed”: https://www.agoniarecords.com/bloodybutunbowed
HALCYON WAY on-line:
Website: https://www.halcyonway.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/halcyonway
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/halcyonway
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/hwmetal
Instagram: https://instagram.com/halcyonwayofficial
Agonia Records:
Website: http://agoniarecords.com
Webshop: http://tinyurl.com/agoniashop
Facebook: https://facebook.com/agoniarecords
Twitter: https://twitter.com/agoniarecords
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/agoniarecords
Bandcamp: https://agoniarecords.bandcamp.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/agoniarecordsofficial
YouTube: http://youtube.com/AgoniaRec
]]>»Damned If You Do« is – in the best sense of the word – a classic METAL CHURCH album!” METAL HAMMER (D), Marc Halupczok
The day has come! West coast metal veterans METAL CHURCH release their highly-anticipated 12th full length studio album »Damned If You Do« today via Nuclear Blast Records (Rat Pak Records/America & King Records/Japan). The latest release is the follow-up to their highly successful 2016 album »XI«, which saw the return of legendary frontman Mike Howe. »Damned If You Do« is a cross between the band’s iconic »Blessing In Disguise« and »The Human Factor«.
Order »Damned If You Do« now, here: http://nblast.de/MetalChurchDIYD
More on »Damned If You Do«:
‘Damned If You Do’ OFFICIAL VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy5q7bxzy0w
‘Damned If You Do’ MAKING-OF: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFtPdVBIFaA
‘Out Of Balance’ OFFICIAL TRACK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFUAq17Gk60
‘By The Numbers’ OFFICIAL VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZTPkSdOF5U
»Damned If You Do« also features new drummer Stet Howland (ex-W.A.S.P./Lita Ford). Stet first arrived after the departure of long-time drummer Jeff Plate, but soon after joining the band he was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Miraculously, his treatments for the aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma worked and he was able to begin recording the new album.»Damned If You Do« is something truly unique and special. The songs are powerful, precise, and METAL CHURCH’s musical vision is unified. From the haunting opener ‘Damned If You Do’ to the final hard-edged track ‘The War Electric,’ this new album is sure to resonate with fans from the band’s early years while garnering new ones. Songs like ‘By The Numbers,’ ‘Guillotine’ and ‘The Black Things’ are sure to become instant favorites!
»Damned If You Do« – Track Listing:
01. Damned If You Do
02. The Black Things
03. By The Numbers
04. Revolution Underway
05. Guillotine
06. Rot Away
07. Into The Fold
08. Monkey Finger
09. Out Of Balance
10. The War Electric
]]>Back to the now! You can hear that the band did their best to write good songs, real Metal Church songs, with the typical riffs and drum style. The opener is an uptempo one, you surely already have been listening to on the internet. ‘The Black Thing’ starts with cymbals reminding me of their first album, it is a mid tempo track with Mike in perfect shape. ‘By The Numbers’ is also one of the best on this new album.
If the quality of the lot would have been the same level as the first three, my rating would be higher. Unfortunately there are a few average songs with names like ‘Revolution Underway’ and ‘Monkey Finger’. Especially the last one is too weak and should not have been on the album in my opinion. Lucky for us there is also a song like ‘Guillotine’, with jumpy riffs that will make every fan enthusiastic again. This is the only one in my opinion that can compete with tracks of their first records.
After listening to the album over 10 times, I am still not sure what to think about it. I miss a little bit the really heavy songs, there is enough tempo, but with the riffs a bit louder or should I say in front of the mix I would have liked it a bit more.
Now I have to find a rating for the album. Well, I would have given 75 points if possible, but I can’t so I give them 8 devils, just because they are Metal Church.
]]>
VENGEANCE IS…LIVE’s showcasing highlights from their previous three album such as the ominous ’When Darkness Calls’, classic ’Bleed For Me’, ‘Until My Dying Breath‘ and ‘Angel In Black’, also includes the monster riffage of ‘Race To Obscene’….and never forgotten epic title-track ’Gods Of War’ as well as three brand new songs from their latest EP release, ‘Fire Lord’, ‘Phoenix Rising’ and the crowd chanting ‘New Order’.
The album also includes two classic covers, Iron Maiden’s ’Wasted Years’ and Savatage’s ‘Power Of The Night’ and finally closing the disc with the classic fan favorite ‘Revolution Rising’.
TRACK LIST:
1. When Darkness Calls
2. Until My Dying Breath
3. FireLord
4. Angel In Black
5. Too Late
6. Bleed For Me
7. New Order
8. Gods Of War
9. Power Of The Night
10. The Price You Pay
11. Race To Obscene
12. Phoenix Rising
13. Vengeance Is Mine
14. Wasted Years
15. Revolution Rising
The band is comprised of veteran members from many known-named bands. Scott Oliva (ex-Wind Wraith, Innerstrength, vocals), Steve ‘Dr. Killdrums’ Wacholz (ex-Savatage/Crimson Glory, drums), Bryan Holland (ex-Tokyo Blade, guitars), Paul Kleff (ex-Metal Church live, FireWolfe, guitars), Russ Pzutto (Twisted Sister live, Dee Snider, bass).
Originally formed in 2010, REVERENCE, as their name describes, brings a sonic cocktail of classic era Savatage, Queensryche and Judas Priest with soaring vocals, brutal guitar riffage and face melting guitar solos in addition to the massive thunder from Savatage’s own original drummer ‘Dr. Killdrums’ behind the kit!
REVERENCE is:
Scott Oliva – Lead Vocals (Wind Wraith, ex Inner Strenght)
Bryan Holland – Lead Guitar (ex Tokyo Blade)
Steve ‘Dr. Killdrums Wacholz – Drums (ex Crimson Glory, Savatage)
Paul Kleff – Lead Guitar (ex FireWölfe, Metal Church – live)
Russell Pzütto – Bass (Dee Snider, Twisted Sister)
Rob Matheson – Touring Drummer
REVERENCE has released three highly acclaimed albums, their debut ‘When Darkness Calls’ in 2012 which immediately put the band on the metal world map, often being referred to as a ‘Supergroup’ from many press outlets and reviewers. They followed up with their second outing, the critically acclaimed ‘Gods Of War’ in 2015 which showed remarkable growth in their songwriting and musicianship within the band garnering again high praise from fans and critics alike. Vocalist Scott Oliva joined the band after the exit of current Riot V vocalist Todd Michael Hall in early 2016 and began writing for a new album. In early 2017 the band tragically lost guitarist Pete Rossi and decided to dedicate their next release, the long-running and dark-toned EP entitled ‘Foreverence’ in 2017 with new guitarist, former Metal Church live and FireWolfe guitarist Paul Kleff, the EP gave the band the opportunity to honor their fallen brother while giving themselves time to grieve. While they continue to write for their next studio album due in 2019, they thought it was time to showcase their incredible electric live performances.
‘VENGEANCE IS…LIVE’ is a true testament to the bands high energy stage show and stellar musicianship that demands to be played at Full Volume! VENGEANCE IS COMING…‘VENGEANCE IS…LIVE’!
]]>
Photo Credit: Melissa Castro
West coast metal veterans METAL CHURCH will finally unleash their 12th full length studio album »Damned If You Do« next week, on December 7, 2018 via Nuclear Blast Records (Rat Pak Records/America & King Records/Japan). The latest release is the follow-up to their highly successful 2016 album »XI«, which saw the return of legendary frontman Mike Howe. »Damned If You Do« is a cross between the band’s iconic »Blessing In Disguise« and »The Human Factor«.
To shorten the wait for fans, the group has launched the making-of for the ‘Damned If You Do’ music video today. Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFtPdVBIFaA
More on »Damned If You Do«:
‘Damned If You Do’ OFFICIAL VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy5q7bxzy0w
‘Out Of Balance’ OFFICIAL TRACK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFUAq17Gk60
‘By The Numbers’ OFFICIAL VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZTPkSdOF5U
Pre-order »Damned If You Do« now, here: http://nblast.de/MetalChurchDIYD
Pre-order digitally to receive ‘By The Numbers’, ‘Out Of Balance’ and ‘Damned If You Do’ instantly!Pre-save the album via Spotify: http://nblast.de/MetalChurchDIYDpreSave
Listen to the band’s new tracks in the NB Novelties Playlists: http://nblast.de/SpotifyNovelties / http://nblast.de/AppleMusicNovelties
»Damned If You Do« also features new drummer Stet Howland (ex-W.A.S.P./Lita Ford). Stet first arrived after the departure of long-time drummer Jeff Plate, but soon after joining the band he was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Miraculously, his treatments for the aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma worked and he was able to begin recording the new album.
»Damned If You Do« is something truly unique and special. The songs are powerful, precise, and METAL CHURCH’s musical vision is unified. From the haunting opener ‘Damned If You Do’ to the final hard-edged track ‘The War Electric,’ this new album is sure to resonate with fans from the band’s early years while garnering new ones. Songs like ‘By The Numbers,’ ‘Guillotine’ and ‘The Black Things’ are sure to become instant favorites!
»Damned If You Do« – Track Listing:
01. Damned If You Do
02. The Black Things
03. By The Numbers
04. Revolution Underway
05. Guillotine06. Rot Away
07. Into The Fold
08. Monkey Finger
09. Out Of Balance
10. The War Electric
]]>
Photo Credit: Melissa Castro
West coast metal veterans METAL CHURCH will unleash their 12th full length studio album »Damned If You Do« in 3 weeks, on December 7, 2018 via Nuclear Blast Records (Rat Pak Records/America & King Records/Japan). The latest release is the follow-up to their highly successful 2016 album »XI«, which saw the return of legendary frontman Mike Howe. »Damned If You Do« is a cross between the band’s iconic »Blessing In Disguise« and »The Human Factor«.
Today, the band has launched the third single from their upcoming offering entitled ‘By The Numbers’. In a case where art imitates life, the video tells the story of a successful businessman who also plays double duty as a rock star lead singer, something Mike Howe knows all too well. The video for ‘By The Numbers’ can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZTPkSdOF5U
Purchase the single now: http://nblast.de/MCByTheNumbers
Pre-order »Damned If You Do« now, here: http://nblast.de/MetalChurchDIYD
Pre-order digitally to receive ‘By The Numbers’, ‘Out Of Balance’ and ‘Damned If You Do’ instantly!
Pre-save the album via Spotify: http://nblast.de/MetalChurchDIYDpreSave
Listen to the band’s new tracks in the NB Novelties Playlist: http://nblast.de/SpotifyNovelties / http://nblast.de/AppleMusicNovelties
More on »Damned If You Do«:
‘Damned If You Do’ OFFICIAL VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy5q7bxzy0w
‘Out Of Balance’ OFFICIAL TRACK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFUAq17Gk60
»Damned If You Do« also features new drummer Stet Howland (ex-W.A.S.P./Lita Ford). Stet first arrived after the departure of long-time drummer Jeff Plate, but soon after joining the band he was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Miraculously, his treatments for the aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma worked and he was able to begin recording the new album.
»Damned If You Do« is something truly unique and special. The songs are powerful, precise, and METAL CHURCH’s musical vision is unified. From the haunting opener ‘Damned If You Do’ to the final hard-edged track ‘The War Electric,’ this new album is sure to resonate with fans from the band’s early years while garnering new ones. Songs like ‘By The Numbers,’ ‘Guillotine’ and ‘The Black Things’ are sure to become instant favorites!
»Damned If You Do« – Track Listing:
01. Damned If You Do
02. The Black Things
03. By The Numbers
04. Revolution Underway
05. Guillotine
06. Rot Away
07. Into The Fold
08. Monkey Finger
09. Out Of Balance
10. The War Electric
]]>
Photo Credit: Melissa Castro
West coast metal veterans METAL CHURCH recently announced the release of their 12th full length studio album »Damned If You Do« via Nuclear Blast Records for December 7, 2018 (Rat Pak Records/America & King Records/Japan). The latest release is the follow-up to their highly successful 2016 album »XI«, which saw the return of legendary frontman Mike Howe. »Damned If You Do« is a cross between the band’s iconic »Blessing In Disguise« and »The Human Factor«.After unleashing the first musical taster in the form of a music video for the album’s title track two weeks ago, the band has now launched the second single, ‘Out Of Balance,’ today. Check out the track, featuring a splendid guitar solo, over on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFUAq17Gk60
States guitar maestro Kurdt Vanderhoof,
“The song is about finding your place in your life and making peace with it. Realising that your life is a series of choices and at the end of the day being able to accept that fact.”
Purchase the single now: http://nblast.de/MCOutOfBalance
Pre-order »Damned If You Do« now, here: http://nblast.de/MetalChurchDIYD
Pre-order digitally to receive ‘Out Of Balance’ und ‘Damned If You Do’ instantly!
Pre-save the album via Spotify: http://nblast.de/MetalChurchDIYDpreSave
Listen to the band’s new tracks in the NB Novelties Playlist: http://nblast.de/SpotifyNovelties / http://nblast.de/AppleMusicNovelties
ICYMI:Watch the music video for the band’s first single, ‘Damned If You Do’, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy5q7bxzy0w
»Damned If You Do« also features new drummer Stet Howland (ex-W.A.S.P./Lita Ford). Stet first arrived after the departure of long-time drummer Jeff Plate, but soon after joining the band he was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Miraculously, his treatments for the aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma worked and he was able to begin recording the new album.
»Damned If You Do« is something truly unique and special. The songs are powerful, precise, and METAL CHURCH’s musical vision is unified. From the haunting opener ‘Damned If You Do’ to the final hard-edged track ‘The War Electric,’ this new album is sure to resonate with fans from the band’s early years while garnering new ones. Songs like ‘By The Numbers,’ ‘Guillotine’ and ‘The Black Things’ are sure to become instant favorites!
»Damned If You Do« – Track Listing:
01. Damned If You Do
02. The Black Things
03. By The Numbers
04. Revolution Underway
05. Guillotine
06. Rot Away
07. Into The Fold
08. Monkey Finger
09. Out Of Balance
10. The War Electric
]]>
Photo Credit: Melissa Castro
West coast metal veterans METAL CHURCH recently announced the release of their 12th full length studio album »Damned If You Do« via Nuclear Blast Records for December 7, 2018 (Rat Pak Records/America & King Records/Japan). The latest release is the follow-up to their highly successful 2016 album »XI«, which saw the return of legendary frontman Mike Howe. »Damned If You Do« is a cross between the band’s iconic »Blessing In Disguise« and »The Human Factor«.
After unleashing the first musical taster in the form of a music video for the album’s title track two weeks ago, the band has now launched the second single, ‘Out Of Balance,’ today. Check out the track, featuring a splendid guitar solo, over on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFUAq17Gk60
States guitar maestro Kurdt Vanderhoof,
“The song is about finding your place in your life and making peace with it. Realising that your life is a series of choices and at the end of the day being able to accept that fact.”
Purchase the single now: http://nblast.de/MCOutOfBalance
Pre-order »Damned If You Do« now, here: http://nblast.de/MetalChurchDIYD
Pre-order digitally to receive ‘Out Of Balance’ und ‘Damned If You Do’ instantly!
Pre-save the album via Spotify: http://nblast.de/MetalChurchDIYDpreSave
Listen to the band’s new tracks in the NB Novelties Playlist:http://nblast.de/SpotifyNovelties / http://nblast.de/AppleMusicNovelties
ICYMI: Watch the music video for the band’s first single, ‘Damned If You Do’, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy5q7bxzy0w
»Damned If You Do« also features new drummer Stet Howland (ex-W.A.S.P./Lita Ford). Stet first arrived after the departure of long-time drummer Jeff Plate, but soon after joining the band he was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Miraculously, his treatments for the aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma worked and he was able to begin recording the new album.
»Damned If You Do« is something truly unique and special. The songs are powerful, precise, and METAL CHURCH‘s musical vision is unified. From the haunting opener ‘Damned If You Do’ to the final hard-edged track ‘The War Electric,’ this new album is sure to resonate with fans from the band’s early years while garnering new ones. Songs like ‘By The Numbers,’ ‘Guillotine’ and ‘The Black Things’ are sure to become instant favorites!
»Damned If You Do« – Track Listing:
01. Damned If You Do
02. The Black Things
03. By The Numbers
04. Revolution Underway
05. Guillotine
06. Rot Away
07. Into The Fold
08. Monkey Finger
09. Out Of Balance
10. The War Electric
METAL CHURCH live:
13. – 18.10. USA Los Angeles, CA – MegaCruise
METAL CHURCH is:
Mike Howe | vocals
Kurdt Vanderhoof | guitars
Stet Howland | drums
Steve Unger | bass
Rick Van Zandt | guitars
More info:
www.facebook.com/officialmetalchurch
www.nuclearblast.de/metalchurch