A twist in the tale of renowned and highly respected veterans Metal Church occurred in 2001. Following the comeback studio album "Masterpeace", Metal Church, not for the first time in their career, parted ways with singer David Wayne. The man had originally fronted the band from 1983 onwards, lending his distinctive bellow to what many regard as the bands finest moments, the debut "Metal Church" and the mammoth second effort, "The Dark." Wayne would decamp at the pinnacle make-or-break juncture of their success in what many analysts at the time perceived was a rash move. Years later, it would be revealed the singer had bailed out in order to clean up from drug abuse. Wayne resurfaced with Reverend issuing a further string of commendable, if not commercially successful, albums. Metal Church, complete with Wayne and much of the classic line up, reunited for the "Masterpeace" album, but fractures began to show again. With that membership in disarray at the turn of the millennium, it emerged that Wayne had set up a fresh act, initially titled David Wayne's Metal Church, but subsequently named Wayne. Joining him were old colleague and guitarist Craig Wells, highly-acclaimed former Joined Forces, Geezer and Thunderhead guitarist Jimi Bell, and drummer B.J. Zampa (MVP, Tony Macalpine and Thunderhead). The resulting album, released by the German Nuclear Blast label, and called "Metal Church," not only witnessed the re-introduction of Metal Church's famous guitar-cross device on the cover art, but sported a Wayne icon in the exact logotype as Metal Church. A caption on Nuclear Blast's website read: "Metal Church captures the spirit of the ‘80s, proving true metal is alive and well in this age of teen-queen pop and suburban rap disguised as "extreme music." Wayne would not neglect his Reverend act though, inducting Byfist guitarists Davey Lee and Notch Vara into the fold during March 2002. Sadly, David was found dead, due to complications related to a car accident on May 19th, 2005.

METAL CHURCH (2001) NUCLEAR BLAST

After leaving both a reunited Metal Church and Reverend, David Wayne released his one and only solo effort. Naming the album "Metal Church" and even using the old guitar-cross in the artwork sure provoked members of David's old band, and caused quite the controversy. But all PR is good PR, right? And in taking these steps, he sure brought a lot of pressure upon himself to deliver something special. The album does sound a lot like classic Metal Church, and this could almost have passed for a natural 3rd album with David on vocals (Heck, "Hannibal" even contains some parts that are clearly a rip-off from one of the songs from 'The Dark'), which is not what can be said of 'Masterpeace', the album David recorded with Metal Church in 1999. The signature mid-tempo guitar-oriented power metal is easily recognized. Still, there are some obvious differences here none the less. For once, the lyrics; Look at the titles and you will see that the brother part of this CD is all about Horror-stories. From "Hannibal" to "Vlad" and "Nightmare - Part II", this album is "blood-dripping", so to speak. But there is also another lyrical approach from David here, and that are the songs that speak about his newfound faith in God. "The Choice" and "Burning At The Stake" both speaks about the battle between good and evil, and tells you that you have to take a stand. "D.S.D.", while musically being a total rip-off of Black Sabbath's "Heaven & Hell", stands for "Die Satan Die", and that about sums it up, right? Kudos for that, and for releasing the album fans were awaiting! Not sure I like the cover of Mountain's "Mississippi Queen" though.

Metal trivia: The liner-notes states that Craig Wells (ex-Metal Church) plays guitars on this album, but after David's death it leaked out that this was not the case. David just got permission to use his name in the line-up.

Killer tracks: The Choice, The Hammer Will Fall, Hannibal, Ballad For Marianne

Jimi Bell guest appearances:

Rob Rock - 'Eyes Of Eternity'

Related artists: 

Metal Church, Reverend