Search - Metal Church :: Blessing in Disguise

"A villain with a bedside manner"

mwreview | Northern California, USA | 05/01/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Metal Church was one of the most intelligent and underrated metal bands of the 1980s/early 1990s. The music on Blessing in Disguise is complex with scorching guitars and thought-provoking lyrics. The title is very appropriate as in many of the tracks the band explores the dark sides of people and things thought to be a benefit to society. The single "Fake Healer" is about a doctor more interested in making money than saving lives "You sickly and decrepit ones keep my yacht safe on the pier." "Rest in Pieces (April 15, 1912)" is, of course, about the "unsinkable" Titanic. This track was released only about three years after Dr. Robert Ballard discovered the elusive ship. The lyrics are historically accurate: "Sinking faster, every light ablaze, Machinery, engines crashing to the bow, Arching vertical, stern points to the sky, the great ship fractures." "Cannot Tell a Lie" is a cynical view of politicians with some anti-Reagan sentiment: "No trades for arms for hostages no star wars s*** for me." Almost every track here is an epic of well over 5 minutes. The best tracks are the 7:21 "Badlands" and the 9:31 "Anthem to the Estranged." Both are beautiful tracks. The former has an incredibly catchy chorus (but in no way commercial) and the latter is one of the best metal tracks I've ever heard. Mike Howe's vocals are off the Richter. He is an amazing singer. The musicianship here is stellar. Any fan of metal with substance should check out Metal Church. Blessing in Disguise was their best album followed by 1991's Human Factor."

A Good Sample of Heavy Metal

Michael Pope | Clinton, MS United States | 01/01/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I first bought the cassette of Metal Church's "Blessing in Disguise" in 1990 when I was in Jr. High. A neigborhood bully beat me up & stole it. Just last month, I bought the album again on CD & I am still amazed at its timelessness. From the first to last song, "Blessing in Disguise" is a great sample of what heavy metal should be. In my personal collection of over 400 metal/rock CD's, I rank it as a standard by which to judge others.The lyrical content is still serious like Metal Church's previous efforts, but it's a little more realistic (no more "Merciless Onslaught", "Gods of Wrath", or "Battallions"). Songs center mostly around social and historical issues like "Fake Healer", "Rest in Pieces (April 15, 1912)", and "Anthem to the Estranged". Also, Mike Howe more than adequately replaces David Wayne. As a matter of fact, I prefer Howe's melodic touches to Wayne's abraisive Accept-like screeches. I love the arena-like sound that Terry Date gave the album (similar to Bob Rock's work on The Cult's "Sonic Temple"). One can hear its effects in the echoes of Howe's voice and Kirk Arington's doom-booming drums.My favorite tracks are "Rest in Pieces", "Badlands", the instrumental "It's a Secret", & the closer "The Powers that Be" - a really positive ending to the album.The only real drawback is that the album cover is a bit bland and unoriginal, but in this case, definitely don't judge an album by its cover.This is a "must-have" for any serious metal collector."

The Best Metal Church album EVER!!!

Bluerabbit | USA | 05/22/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is by far more superior than even their 2nd best(Self-Titled), however I really wish the mastering process was better. The production was excellent as it was done by veteran Terry Date(Overkill; Pantera)who established himself as a powerhouse producer. But the sonic levels in the mastering could be brought up a few notches to at least match the sound quality of their debut. This being considered their best album, one has to wonder how come it took David Wayne & Kurdt Vanderhoof to leave this band to make such a great album? Mike Howe is my favorite MC vocalist and it's a damn shame he didn't return for "Weight of the World"



That's all as there are alot of other reviews discussing the lyrical content and length of songs, so I won't bore you with those details.



I gave it 4 stars because of the weak mastering process"