''Metal Church'' is the debut album by American heavy metal band

Metal Church Metal Church is an American heavy metal band. They originally formed in San Francisco, California in 1980 and then relocated to Aberdeen, Washington the following year and briefly using the name Shrapnel. Led by guitarist and songwriter Kurdt ...

. The album was originally released by the independent record label Ground Zero in 1984. Based on the success of the album, the band was signed to a recording contract by Elektra Records, who reissued it in 1985. The cover art depicts a

cruciform Cruciform is a term for physical manifestations resembling a common cross or Christian cross. The label can be extended to architectural shapes, biology, art, and design. Cruciform architectural plan Christian churches are commonly describe ...

Gibson Explorer The Gibson Explorer is a type of electric guitar model by Gibson guitars, released in 1958. The Explorer offered a radical, "futuristic" body design, much like its siblings: the Flying V, which was released the same year, and the Moderne, whi ...

hidden in shadows and smoke. The album contains a cover of Deep Purple's " Highway Star". The cassette edition and first European vinyl edition contained the bonus track "Big Guns". The

Metal Blade Records Metal Blade Records is an American independent record label founded by Brian Slagel in 1982. The US office for Metal Blade is located in Agoura Hills, California. It also has offices in Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK. The label is distr ...

compilation ''

Metal Massacre V ''Metal Massacre'' is a series of compilation albums released through Metal Blade Records. It is famous for "shedding light" on bands such as The Obsessed, Trouble, Overkill, Metal Church, Metallica, Slayer, Virgin Steele, Hellhammer, Voivo ...

'' of 1984 features the song "The Brave", which is not included in this album. The first press release included a coupon to order a t-shirt and other merchandise.

Track listing

Personnel

Credits adapted from the album's liner notes. ;Metal Church *

David Wayne David Wayne (born Wayne James McMeekan, January 30, 1914 – February 9, 1995) was an American stage and screen actor with a career spanning over 50 years. Early life and career Wayne was born in Traverse City, Michigan, the son of Helen M ...

– vocals *Craig Wells – lead guitar * Kurdt Vanderhoof – rhythm guitar *Duke Erickson – bass *Kirk Arrington – drums ;Production *

Terry Date Terry Date (born January 31, 1956) is an American record producer and audio engineer specializing in rock genres, especially heavy metal. He is well known for his work with Metal Church, Dream Theater, Soundgarden, Overkill, Pantera, Dark Ang ...

– producer, engineer *Jack Skinner – mastering *Saulius Pempe – photography *Willie Mackay – executive producer *Kurdt Vanderhoof – logo design *Ground Zero Entertainment - management

References

External links

Review of ''Metal Church''
at Play It Loud! {{Authority control 1984 debut albums Metal Church albums Albums produced by Terry Date SPV/Steamhammer albums