Rest in Pieces (April 15, 1912) - Metal Church, Vanderhoof, Kurdt
Of Unsound Mind - Metal Church, Marshall, J.
Anthem to the Estranged - Metal Church, Vanderhoof, Kurdt
Badlands - Metal Church, Howe, Michael
The Spell Can't Be Broken - Metal Church, Marshall, J.
It's a Secret - Metal Church, Wells, Craig
Cannot Tell a Lie - Metal Church, Marshall, J.
The Powers That Be - Metal Church, Vanderhoof, Kurdt
No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: METAL CHURCH
Title: BLESSING IN DISGUISE
Street Release Date: 02/22/1989
No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: METAL CHURCH
Title: BLESSING IN DISGUISE
Street Release Date: 02/22/1989
"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"
Outstanding
C. Garces | Plantation, Florida United States | 09/27/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Everyone seems to adore Metal Churches first albums and put the rest down. Well I am here to set the record straight. This is not only Metal Churches best album it is also one of the best Thrash/Speed albums ever released. It starts out with "Fake Healer", the vocals are just outstanding, I promise you, one listen to this track and you will be blown away. To me this album sounds like Iron Maiden on speed. The vocals are high, just like Bruce Dickinsons, and the melodies of the guitars are something Maiden would do if they played Thrash. "Anthem to the Estranged" is a long song, that starts out acoustically and then sheds its skin to become a huge loud rocker. Its a beautifull song. Then there is the song that got me into this album "Badlands" The video is killer and the whole theme is just so damn cool. "I know these are the badlands, somehow Ill find my way"...The last song is "Powers that be", this track shows Metal Church doing what they do best..leaving you with a ear damage of how heavy it is..Get this album if you consider yourself a Metalhead."
Metal Church Delivers big on "Blessing in Disguise"
C. Garces | 12/26/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Trash Metal band Metal Church was never recognized as largely as bands like Anthrax and Megadeth, but they were the best of the bunch. "Blessing in Disguise" is a metal masterpiece. The album starts out incredibly heavy with "Fake Healer", one of the best songs EVER. The musicianship is superb, and rocks as hard as anything ever written. "Anthem To The Estranged" is a powerful ballad about the homeless that demonstrates the band's songwriting capabilities. It's nearly 10 minutes long, but you probably won't notice, since the song captivates from beginning to end.Another great track is "Badlands", and shows the variety Metal Church brought to Thrash Metal. This album should be a must have for any Metal fan. It's uncomprimising, loud and heavy."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1
