Get ready to bang your head, because thrash metal icons METAL CHURCH are back from the dead – and they're angrier than ever. Their 13th studio album, Dead To Rights, drops on April 10th via Rat Pak Records, marking a triumphant return for a band that, by their own admission, shouldn't even exist anymore. But here's where it gets controversial: can a band truly resurrect itself after seemingly calling it quits? METAL CHURCH seems to think so, and they're bringing a killer new lineup to prove it.
Founding guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, alongside longtime axeman Rick Van Zandt, have enlisted the legendary David Ellefson (formerly of MEGADETH) on bass, powerhouse drummer Ken Mary, and the dynamic vocals of newcomer Brian Allen. This revamped lineup delivers a blistering 10-track assault, kicking off with the ferocious 'Brainwash Game' and culminating in the riff-heavy 'My Wrath'. Tracks like 'Deep Cover Shakedown' and 'The Show' will have longtime fans rejoicing, while newcomers will be hooked by the band's signature blend of aggression and melody.
The album's lead single, 'F.A.F.O.', dropped last November, with its accompanying video racking up over 400,000 views and counting. Produced by Vanderhoof himself and mixed/mastered by Chris 'Zeuss' Harris, Dead To Rights is a testament to the band's enduring power.
'This album is special,' Vanderhoof reflects. 'I never thought we'd be back, but here we are, stronger than ever. Brian Allen nails the classic METAL CHURCH vocal style, and with Dave and Ken in the rhythm section, this band is a force to be reckoned with. If you loved our early stuff, you're gonna lose your mind over this.'
And this is the part most people miss: METAL CHURCH isn't just resting on their laurels. They're hitting the road hard in 2026, with a European tour that includes festivals like Brutal Assault and Alcatraz, alongside bands like Testament and Armored Saint. Check out the full list of dates below – you won't want to miss this.
Tracklist:
1. Brainwash Game
2. F.A.F.O.
3. Dead To Rights
4. Deep Cover Shakedown
5. Feet To The Fire
6. The Show
7. Heaven Knows (Slip Away)
8. No Memory
9. Wasted Time
10. My Wrath
Tour Dates:
- May 17: San Luis Potosí, Mexico - San Luis Metal Fest
- July 30: Copenhagen, Denmark - Pumpehuset (w/ Armored Saint)
- July 31: Ostergotland, Sweden - Skogsröjet Festival
- Aug 1: Gothenburg, Sweden - Pustervik (w/ Testament & Armored Saint)
- Aug 2: Lund, Sweden - Mejeriet (w/ Testament & Armored Saint)
- Aug 4: Kiel, Germany - Die Pumpe (w/ Testament & Armored Saint)
- Aug 5: Josefov, Czech - Brutal Assault Festival
- Aug 8: Cologne, Germany - EssigFabrik (w/ Testament & Death Angel)
- Aug 8, 2026: Kortrijik, Belgium - Alcatraz Festival
- Aug 9, 2026: Geiselwind, Germany - Keep It True Festival
- Aug 11: Karlsruhe, Germany - Substage (w/ Testament & Death Angel)
- Aug 12: Obertraubling, Germany - Eventhall Airport (w/ Testament & Death Angel)
- Aug 13: Krakow, Poland - Klub Studio (w/ Testament & Armored Saint)
- Aug 14: Leipzig, Germany - Parkbuhne (w/ Black Label Society)
- Sep 18: Westland, MI - The Token Lounge
- Sep 19: Madison, WI - Blades of Steel Metal Festival
Emerging from the explosive West Coast metal scene of the early '80s, METAL CHURCH quickly established themselves as one of the genre's most formidable acts. Their self-titled debut and its follow-up, The Dark, remain essential listening for any metalhead. Touring with labelmates METALLICA only cemented their reputation for precision and power.
The band evolved in the late '80s and early '90s, tackling political and social themes with vocalist Mike Howe on albums like Blessing In Disguise and The Human Factor. While many of their peers chased trends, METAL CHURCH stayed true to their roots, earning a loyal global following.
Their 2016 reunion with Howe for XI marked one of the strongest comebacks in modern metal, debuting at No. 57 on the Billboard Top 200. The follow-up, Damned If You Do, continued their chart success and reaffirmed their relevance.
After Howe's tragic passing in 2021, Marc Lopes stepped in, fronting the band for 2023's Congregation Of Annihilation. Now, with Brian Allen at the helm, METAL CHURCH enters a new era, blending their classic sound with fresh energy.
So, what do you think? Can a band truly come back from the brink? Is Dead To Rights the album that cements METAL CHURCH's legacy, or is it just another nostalgia trip? Let us know in the comments – this is one debate that's sure to divide opinions.
