Heavy Maytal - Metal Church : "Dead to Rights"

The 14th album from the legendary thrash project helmed by Kurt Vanderhoof, who is the sole original member, now features an all-new line-up, including former Flotsam & Jetsam drummer Ken Mary, who also played on Alice Cooper's "Raise Your Fist and Yell" album, along with Megadeth bassist Dave Ellefson. For what they are doing, you can't ask for a better backbone to drive these songs. The opening track is pretty impressive and delivers what you want from them. This is the 6th album that guitarist Rick Van Zandt has played alongside Kurt, so he knows the deal. 

This leaves vocalist Brian Allen from Vicious Rumors having to step into the path previously tread by some great singers like David Wayne and Mike Howe. He kind of splits the difference between the two, which on the second song causes them to sound more like Exodus, though he does give an impressive, well-rounded dynamic performance on the title track. So far, it does not feel as dark as the early years; it does feel like they move in a Megadeth direction at times, perhaps due to Ellefson's involvement. The first time this comes to mind is on "Deep Cover Shakedown".While Allen goes into his higher register on this one and it is driven by a headbanging chug, it does not feel as catchy as the previous song, and the lyrics are not the best. 

"Feet to the Fire" is a workable balance between heavy drive and melody. The vocals juggle a raspy snarl with soaring croon. The best lyrics so far are on the thrashing "The Show". It's a fitting commentary on the world today. "Heaven Knows" is on the more Megadeth side of the thrash gallops with an Accept-tinged power metal flying over it. 'No Memory' goes over onto the more power metal side of things, which is not as effective as when they lock into a more Megadeth-like groove on 'Wasted Years".  They are touching on things like Big Pharma that more bands need to be doing. "My Wrath" feels less like Metal Church and more like Exodus jamming with Megadeth, so a hybrid thrash. Wayne and Howe are dead, so this sounds as muh like Metal Church as we are going to get, so they excelled at keeping it going. I will give this album a 9.5. 

9.6