Metal Church has announced their return with a new studio album, as reported by Metal Church Official.
The band’s official announcement detailed their upcoming release and new lineup changes.
“Metal Church return with their 13th studio album, ‘Dead To Rights,’ scheduled for release on April 10 via Rat Pak Records (America), Reaper (Europe/UK) and Rubicon (Japan),” the announcement stated.
The album represents a significant milestone for the veteran metal band, featuring both returning and new members.
“The album marks the first release from the band’s latest lineup, featuring founding guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof alongside longtime guitarist Rick Van Zandt, joined by bass icon David Ellefson, powerhouse drummer Ken Mary, and dynamic new vocalist Brian Allen,” the statement continued. “From the aggressive opening assault of ‘Brainwash Game’ to the riff-driven finale ‘My Wrath,’ Metal Church prove they still possess the same relentless drive that has earned them fans for over four decades.”
The album is set to be distributed across multiple international labels when it releases this April.
This latest release continues the legacy of a band that has remained a cornerstone of the heavy metal scene for decades. Metal Church’s enduring influence and contribution to the genre have not gone unrecognized by the metal community.
Metal Hall of Fame reported that the band was inducted into the Metal Hall of Fame in 2020, cementing their status as legends in the heavy metal genre. The recognition came after four decades of consistent musical output and influence on countless metal bands that followed.
The band’s origins trace back to the early 1980s metal explosion. Encyclopaedia Metallum documented that Metal Church was originally formed in San Francisco in 1980 by Kurdt Vanderhoof and others. The group initially considered the name “Anvil Chorus – the Church of Metal” before settling on their current moniker.
Their breakthrough came with their self-titled debut album, which showcased the band’s distinctive sound. WKNC 88.1 FM noted that the album was originally released on independent label Ground Zero in 1984. It sold so well that Elektra Records signed the band and reissued the record, launching them into mainstream metal recognition.
The band’s first live performance marked the beginning of their journey to metal stardom. Metal Underground revealed that the band played its first gig at the D&R Theatre in Kurdt Vanderhoof’s native Aberdeen, Washington in May of 1984. This performance established the foundation for what would become a legendary metal career.
