It’s confession time once again: Up till now, I haven’t had any want or need to check out any recent incarnation of METAL CHURCH. Why? Well, I blame Warrel Dane. I got a chance to meet him at a NEVERMORE show in Cincinnati, where me about a dozen or so metalheads were picking his brain when the subject of METAL CHURCH came up, seeing as both bands have their roots in the Seattle area. This is when Warrel proclaimed with all the earnestness of a politician that “there IS no METAL CHURCH without David Wayne!” In all fairness, he does have a strong argument. While there was good stuff to be had in the Mike Howe years, nothing has been able to top the first two METAL CHURCH discs (especially not the self-titled debut), not to mention the pleasantly capable reunion album “Masterpeace.” What can I say… we metal fans are a sentimental lot.

Still, it’s high time to face the facts: David Wayne is no longer with us, and Kurdt Vanderhoof and company have moved on. Fortunately, they’re able to prove with “This Present Wasteland” that they’re still a viable enough force to hack it in the 21st century. Apart from the crisp production and one of the best drum sounds in the business, the first thing folks are gonna notice is the versatility of current frontman Ronny Munroe. His vocal style is a combination of just about every noteworthy metal singer ever – from Dickinson to Dio to, yes, even the band’s former frontmen David Wayne and Mike Howe. And even though Vanderhoof may be the sole survivor of the MC of old, he hasn’t forgotten how to write some visceral metal, and as a whole this album will make old fans feel right at home. Opener “In the Company of Sorrow” is as effective as “Ton of Bricks” or “Sleeps with Thunder”, and “Mass Hysteria” fits just as snugly as “The Powers that Be.” Also, “Meet your Maker” has enough power metal vigor to rival such modern mainstays as PRIMAL FEAR, while the slower “Deeds of a Dead Soul” and “War Never Won” show a more mature side to the band, bringing to mind Bruce Dickinson’s solo stuff (especially when it comes to the vocals). What was most pleasing to these ears, though, is the return to the narrative lyric style from “Blessing in Disguise,” as “Monster” tells a vivid tale addressing the dangers of wasting one’s life on the internet.

So… a great sound, solid songwriting and modern relevance? Sign me up! Yeah, we metal snobs have a tendency to be a little closed-minded at times, but the important thing is that we learn from our mistakes, and the fact of the matter is that the current incarnation of METAL CHURCH is one that any metal fan can stand behind. Sorry Mr. Dane, but “This Present Wasteland” yields one kick-ass harvest!

- Cardona

OFFICIAL SITE: www.metalchurchmusic.com

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