Metal Church--Blessing In Disguise (1989)
Rating--7.4
Spell Can't Be Broken--RealAudio
Another band name that probably hurt with exposure more than it helped. 'Blessing'
was the first intro to the Church boys for many, and more than a few were left quite
impressed. The first album with vocalist Mike Howe (ala John Bush of
Armored Saint meets
Biff Byford of Saxon) rocks with song lyrics from everything like the Titanic to the
supernatural. "Of Unsound Mind" rips from the beginning in pure Overkill
fashion. Listen to the "Badlands" riffs and be humbled!
File MC somwhere between
Metallica (who the band apparantly were close to personally), the afore-
mentioned Overkill, and the Bush-led Amored Saint.
Drummer Kirk Arrington should be highly commended for his work
on "Of Unsound Mind". Non stop madness!
Highlights include "Anthem To The Estranged", a 9:31
beautiful epic, starting slowly before the groove sweeps you away
(think Metallica's "Fade To Black"). "Badlands" gets a thumbs up here, reminding
one of Fates Warning--riff changes and smooth build-ups slowly melt into fierce assaults...
TRACK LIST: Fake Healer/Rest in Pieces (April 15, 1912)/Of Unsound Mind/Anthem to the Estranged/Badlands/
The Spell Can't Be Broken/It's a Secret/Cannot Tell a Lie/The Power That Be
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