A Light in the Dark

A Light in the Dark was a fairly curious Metal Church album, if only because the band once again seemed to experience another of many shifts in tone, this time to a darker and dirtier style than I might have expected after The Weight of the World. This comes in both the vocals and riffing delivery, which seem to attempt to bridge back towards the more vicious edge experienced through the first two records in the 80s, meeting limited success. By this point, Vanderhoof was the only original member left in the group, long-time drummer Kirk Arrington having left the lineup; but this replacement, Jeff Plate had quite a repertoire including Savatage, Trans-Siberian Orchestra and associated acts, so the kit was at least left in good hands. One can help but wonder though, if this album was spurred on by a bit of Kurdt's nostalgia for the band's mid-80s boom. The crucifix guitar from the debut and Masterpeace had returned. The cover features a similar, gaping 'opening' as did The Dark, and then, of course, there's the title itself, which seems self-referential. Additionally, there is a 20 year anniversary remake of "Watch the Children Pray", devoted to the late David Wayne, a nice touch, rendering the internal conflicts the band had suffered blood under the bridge.

At any rate, this is hardly the group's crowning achievement, but another passable record which tries honestly damned hard to mete out the more brooding atmosphere of The Dark. Munroe has a lot more grit this time out, channeling the spirit of Wayne's lower register muddied in spots with a bit of Chris Boltendahl meatier bite circa Grave Digger. There are a few growls. Some manic laughter. When he ups the pitch, he sounds a little closer to himself on the previous record, but you could have told me this was another guy entirely and I might damn well have believed you. Matched up with the busier, edgier, grooving power/thrash riffs in tunes like the titular "Light in the Dark" or "Pill for the Kill", speed metal burst of "Mirror of Lies", it's probably the most aggressive the band had sounded since at least Blessing in Disguise. That said, they also don't shun the epic, melodic mood that had been present on The Weight of the World: tracks like the 10 minute "Temple of the Sea", or "Disappear" and "Beyond All Reason" which temper the rugged momentum with some shots of cleaner guitars and a dash of prog rock arrangement. Most of the riff progressions are well composed, just never quite exemplary. You'll always feel as if you've heard them before, but their varied and competent. The group knows damn well how to put a song together, just not one that squats in the memory banks for any period of time.

Lyrically, this was a fraction stronger than The Weight of the World, and I'm happy to say that all of the Munroe fronted records trump the Howe years in this regard, a mix of angry and introspective musings that are no doubt meant to appeal to the audience which has aged alongside the band. The main issue, with this album and so many others like it, as that we're looking at the year two thousand fucking six, and bands with long legacies seemed to want to rest too much on their laurels, while not writing at the level of inspiration that got them there in the first place. I feel it everywhere, on all levels, including huge names like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden (who have never had to struggle to put bread on their tables since the 90s, yet have written worse albums than this one in the 21st century). Sounding like yourselves and putting your logo on the cover is just not enough anymore, and I think A Light in the Dark is another victim of this trend. Not a bad album by any means, but its punchy production values and all around solid execution fall short of the volatile inspiration of The Dark. I found none of the choruses all that resonant, and though the front man is not lost to the concept of charisma, the songs supporting his delivery seem decisively average. I'd have to place it between Masterpeace and The Weight of the World in terms of quality.

-autothrall
http://www.fromthedustreturned.com

I'm not kidding, there should be a church where the priest is playing an electric guitar and preaching whatever he wants. I'm not a religious person, but I wouldn't mind some heavy metal preaching from time to time. "A Light In The Dark" is a pretty solid record that proves what hevay metal is all about.

When I first listened to this album, I was drooling all over. I couldn't beleive what I was listening, it was heavy, catchy, strong and right to your face heavy metal! Great riffing, great guitar solos, excellent drumming and a powerful voice behind all this music. Truly a masterpiece.

Ronny Munroe might not be the best vocalist ever, but his voice surely fit this record, with a nice, strong performance is delivered by him, which by all means, is quite enjoyable throughout the whole album.

"A Light In The Dark" is a really heavy track that opens the album and lets you know what you are in for. Great guitar riffing and melodies here and there make this track a really nice one to listen first. Monroe's vocals are quite aggressive at first, but then he chills a little bit, without losing his power. "Mirror Of Lies" is also a great example of a nice, fast-tempo track which has one of the best solos in the whole album, which is delivered flawlessly and never gets boring to the ear, being one of the strongest tracks in the album as well as "More Than Your Master" and "Blinded By Life" which are also nice heavy tunes with power and catchy choruses.

"Beyond All Reason" is a good track as well, but a little strange for my tastes. It starts really good with a nice guitar melody into heavy guitar riffing and nice drumming, it all goes well until you get to the chorus and there is this strange guitar sound as well as change of tempo. It breaks the song mood entirely. It is still a great song, which I enjoy listening to, but this tempo change just breaks the mood.

Another great track, that starts with the wrong foot at first is "Pill For The Kill", I mean, it is great, but at the begining of the track you get this ridiculous laughter right before the vocals kicks in. I can't stand this stupid laughter altough the song is a really good one, with nice heavy riffs and a catchy chorus, as well as one of the most aggressive tracks of the album.

The downside of the album are "Temple Of The Sea" and "The Believer". The first one isn't that bad, but after a few listens it gets old and really bores you. It is nice to listen to long tracks from time to time, but when they can keep you wanting more and more as the tracks goes on. With "Temple Of The Sea" there is a time when you just want to skip to the next track and continue headbanging. Don't get me wrong though, it is a nice executed track, but it gets old really fast. "The Beleiver" is just plain boring with nice riffing here and there, but the chorus is really weak and boring, and the music doesn't do it for me. It could've been better than it really is, a really boring track.

Overall "A Light In The Dark" has some really nice melodies, top-notch guitar work and strong vocals. The drumming is really good in this record and never gets boring, so if you are up for heavy metal well executed, I totally recommend this one. This isn't a thrash album as Metal Church once delivered, but nonetheless, it is still very enjoyable to listen.

Anyone who is familiar with Metal Church knows that pretty much every album since their self-titled debut has been hit-or-miss. Even their previous "The Weight of the World" was terribly inconsistent. Well, I'm sorry to say that while the misses are still here, the hits are largely absent.

The lineup is the same as their previous album with the exception of Kirk Arrington, who was replaced by Jeff Plate, who was a member of Savatage and currently tours with the Trans Siberian Orchestra. Plate fits like a glove, while his performance is nothing insane like perhaps Dave Lombardo, his drumming is one of the few highlights of the album. Anyone who has seen his drum solo with TSO knows that this man is very good.

The sound, however, is somewhat of a change. Previously the riffs straddled the line between heavy metal and thrash. Here, they are more rock n roll mixed with American hard rock. The songs are still riff-driven, but they aren't as heavy. The riffs themselves are missing something, perhaps its just that they are not very good. The guitar leads leave much to be desired as well. Even the extended solo section in "Mirror of Lies" isn't anything special. But the biggest disappointment is Ronny Munroe. His choruses are terrible and there are no vocal parts that moved me at all. Metal Church was blessed with two spectacular vocalists in David Wayne and Mike Howe, but this guy is a dud, get him out.

The leadoff track is also the title track and kicks off with a bad riff that gets replaced by a main riff that is equally awful. Mediocrity all the way through. The first single, "Mirror of Lies" is rather pedestrian as well, even with an extended solo section. I was originally giddy with anticipation over "Temples of the Sea," a 9:00+ epic. Sections of "Anthem to the Estranged" were flashing through my head as the CD got to this song, but frustratingly, it's just boring. It certainly doesn't justify the long running time. And sadly the album doesn't pick up from there, just a bunch of half-assed filler. Even a re-recording of their classic "Watch the Children Pray" is substandard. The band sounds like they're going through the motions. Isn't this supposed to be tribute to departed vocalist David Wayne?! Maybe Vanderhoof is still mad at Wayne so this is his way of giving Wayne the finger.

On the bright side, we have "Disappear," which starts with some clean guitar melodies similar to something the reunited Iron Maiden would do, before an awesome distorted riff kicks in. Jeff Plate does a great job on drums; this is probably the best song on the album. "The Believer" also has a simple yet effective riff that brings to mind classic Metal Church, I really like the clean guitar break/solo in the middle. "Beyond All Reason" is respectable as well.

Sadly, these three songs are the only ones that are worth hearing. I'm not really sure what went wrong here other than the whole record seems, well, ordinary. Like something that pretty much any of these other throwback bands that have been popping up recently could have done. "Disappear" is a good song, but it shouldn't be the best one on here. I just listened to "Hero's Soul" and "Sunless Sky" to make sure that I just wasn't getting nostalgic for old Metal Church, but these two songs are so great and they were just on the previous album, so it's not like Vanderhoof is washed up or something. Regardless, this album is mostly a dud. I'm not going to completely give up on the band based on this one bad album, but I'll definitely download the new album before buying it, just to be safe.

The Metal Church of old was an awesome thrash band with righteous attitude and killer riffs, the new Metal Church seems to be just the same, and that is a very good thing. The riffs are still driven home with precision and heaviness. The vocals are still raw and powerful, although not as powerful as Wayne was, and almost fitting of a power metal aesthetic. But most of all the songwriting is still pretty solid in this release, 22 years after the first.

A Light in the Dark has some excellent tunes. The title track opens the album with some nice riffing and a heavy structure. The vocals are awesome and the chorus is very epic. "Beyond All Reason", the epic "Temple of the Sea" and "More than Your Master" are also very strong songs that pack a punch and display a variety intones which make the album round itself out very well. This is a rocker record. This is all about the riffs and the vocals. This sound is very similar to that of their early material.

Personally for me the highlight was the remake of the band's classic song "Watch the Children Pray", which is one of my favorites. The retake was well done. They added a modern touch to it, especially with the production, yet kept the feel of the original and left its arrangements practically untouched.

Ronny Munroe is no David Wayne though. Try as he may he will never achieve the level of his predecessor. His vocals are on but just don't have the magnitude of Wayne's. However you can't give him much flack because despite all of that he does a pretty good job.

Although this is not as groundbreaking as it was 22 years prior, the band still has it and is producing higher level music at this point than almost everyone else from that era. They have stuck to their guns and are apparently not afraid to still rock out. Not a must-have but an enjoybale listen nonetheless.

Oh yes, this is what we want, good old proper METAL with a semi-thrash edge. Perfect.

So this must be album number…..eight if I’m not much mistaken. Is it a match for the albums of the 80’s? Well, maybe, maybe not, ask me again in 20 years! But hell, for 2006 this is great. Along with Animal’s newie this is the best new album I’ve heard this year.

Opening with the up-tempo ‘A Light in the Dark’ the album sets out it’s stall from the off. Not exactly what you would call Thrash, but certainly moving at a nice pace that gets your foot tapping. I haven’t heard anything like this since, well since the last Metal Church album I guess. Immediately it’s apparent that Ronny Munroe is a great singer, he sounds like a cross between Biff and Bruce Dickinson (…about 80% Biff - 20% Bruce) which fits this band’s music perfectly.

There’s something about Metal Church, and about Vanderhoof in particular, everything the guy does is shot through with a certain amount of quality and class. Of course with any band you have your favourite songs but I can’t really think of one Metal Church song that I would say is crap - how many bands can you say that about?

Beyond All Reason follows and while slightly softer than the first track uses a nice mid-paced triplet riff (think of Raining Blood, but without the intensity) to great effect. The chorus effect on the clean guitar is maybe a little strong, but never mind. Here’s where the vocal comparisons to Biff become very obvious. Yes definitely Biff-like. Only without the grey hairs. Half way through this one picks up for a few bars with a Thin Lizzy-esque twin lead from Vanderhoof and ex-Malice man Jay Reynolds.

Mirror of Lies is a faster track, not exactly earth shattering, but again streaked with class and quality song writing. Really this could have come off the first Metal Church album, which is no bad thing I suppose, being as that was one monstrous motherfucker of a record.

Disappear is (as you would probably expect from the title) a slightly gentler affair. Christ when was the last time you heard harmonised guitars on an album? And that stop start riff thing, wow this really does sound … I was gonna say dated, but that’s such a negative comment and it’s unfair, so I won’t. I’m just trying to think what this reminds me off, I think it’s Priest….yes it is - it’s that ’Victim of Changes’ verse thing, the pause for the singing thing, that’s exactly what it is (it doesn’t sound like ’Victim of Changes’ mind…). Midway we again pick up speed to a mild trot and then a little faster for the solos. Great stuff.

Believer is another slower song, kinda reminiscent of Saxon I guess…but that may be just the vocals again I suppose. Not a bad song by any means, but not one of the best on here.

Temples of the Sea opens with more clean guitar and vocals and though I was expecting it to burst into full force, it doesn’t . Which is a shame because there’s only four (or five) tracks left and the album could use some METAL ATTACK about now, cos there’s been a lot of softer moments so far. ….but wait, 5 minutes in and the song takes a turn! This is cool, it’s kinda like the end of the song ‘Black Sabbath’, nice…and then the song goes a bit Fates Warning on us, which is very nice.

Pill for the Kill is a bit more Metal (but not really METAL!) but again I can’t get those Saxon overtones out of my head. I guess it’s not a bad thing, cos when I say Saxon I mean early 80s Saxon - so it’s not like it’s, y’know, Destiny era or anything! Actually this song is okay, but not quite up to Mr V’s sky high standards.

Ah-ha! Son of the Son, this is a bit faster and just what we need right now.

More Than Your Master opens with more clean guitars I’m afraid, but they soon give way to some excellent riffs, slightly reminding me of the ‘Hanging in the Balance’ album. Cool but unusual chorus here and some more great singing on display from Mr Munroe. I guess the kids today would laugh at this style, but if you know what you like and love what you know then I guess you wouldn’t care less.

Blinded by Life closes the album with a bit more pace (but again, hardly a Thrashing rage!). I think maybe the album is a bit unbalanced in the mix of heavy tracks and balladic moments, but still, to be honest I’m just pleased that the band are still recording and releasing music worthy of their name.

Ok, so now we have the Bonus Track - (although I think it will be on all copies???) which is a re-recording of the MC classic from 1986 ‘Watch the Children Pray’. Honestly speaking, it’s a great song…and despite the dedication to the late Dave Wayne I just wonder whether it was really necessary? It’s a difficult thing I guess when you fall out with a band member and talk negatively about them in the press and then something bad happens to them (ask Phil Anselmo!), and it could well be that the band (or rather Vanderhoof) is genuine in his feelings, but regardless I don’t really see how re-recording a song with a new singer is paying tribute - or is it just me?

Anyway, Ronnie does a good job (I guess he’s been singing the song a while now anyway) and what I think would be a great idea now would be for Metal Church to get their fingers out and record a DVD and let us see what they are about onstage. I have seen them, but they were supporting DiAnno (shurely shum mishtake?) and played for only about 35 minutes. Despite that the band was great onstage and I would love to see them again (although the somewhat thin turnout might preclude that eventuality).

So to sum up then, it’s not as heavy as it could have been, but it’s got quality stamped all over it and would appeal to all fans of 80s Metal and particularly fans of 80’s era Queensryche I would say.

After the failure of 1999's Masterpeace to live up to it's hype, despite the much anticipated return of original singer David Wayne, and the disappointment that was The Weight Of The World - an album that was by no means bad, but a huge underachievement for the band that wrote songs like "Gods of Wrath" "Gods of Second Chance" and "Fake Healer", Metal Church in 2006 appear to be in an uncertain position. My expectations for A light in the dark were mixed, as I couldn't tell whether or not Masterpeace and Weight of the World were merely blips, or part of a growing trend for disappointing MC albums - which seemed more likely, considering every single one of MC's albums has been a classic up until Masterpeace.
With these mixed feelings in mind I nonetheless decided I would listen to the new Metal Church album all the way through.
Holy fuck. Metal Church are back. That's pretty much the long and short of it folks.
Those opening riffs, my god. And in fact the riffage on this album is truly holy.
This is a consistent and classic album in every way. Every song is strong and kicks serious ass. Ronny Munroe will in all probability be remembered as the weakest of Metal Church's singers (not including pre-Wayne singers), but on this album he has really found a place in the new Metal Church lineup. His lower gruff vocals really gel with the ballsy production; the whole album has a really punchy, heavy, yet accessible sound.
There is no need to do a track by track review as every track on this album offers something different, but at a consistent quality. What I will say is that the re-recording of Watch The Children Pray is just awesome - it really shows how well that song have survived the test of time; tribute to MC's classic songwriting ability.
I cannot recommend this album more to anyone who likes true in your face metal.
Metal Church will find you.