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List of Metal Church members

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Metal Church performing live in 2016.

Metal Church is an American heavy metal band formed in 1980. Originally based in San Francisco, California, the group's first lineup featured vocalist William McKay, lead guitarist Rick "Chief" Condrin, rhythm guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, bassist Steve Hott and drummer Rick Wagner. After around a year, Vanderhoof relocated to Aberdeen, Washington, and restarted the group with vocalist Mike Murphy, lead guitarist Craig Wells, bassist Duke Erickson and drummer Tom Weber. The current lineup includes Vanderhoof alongside bassist Steve Unger (since 2003), lead guitarist Rick Van Zandt (since 2008), drummer Stet Howland (since 2017) and vocalist Marc Lopes (since 2023).

History

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1980–1995

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Kurdt Vanderhoof formed the first incarnation of Metal Church while living in San Francisco in 1980.[1] The original lineup included vocalist Billy McKay and drummer Rick Wagner, both of whom were members of Sinister Savage (later Griffin), who remained for around "two to three months".[2][3] Vanderhoof, McKay and Wagner were initially joined by lead guitarist Rick "Chief" Condrin and bassist Steve Hott.[4] After McKay and Wagner both returned to Griffin later in the year, Ed Bull took over on vocals and Aaron Zimpel joined on drums, however Bull left shortly thereafter due to "tensions" with Condrin.[5] While still in San Francisco, the quartet of Vanderhoof, Condrin, Hott and Zimpel recorded the first Metal Church demo, an instrumental four-track called Red Skies, in 1981.[6]

Later in 1981, Vanderhoof moved to Aberdeen and formed a new version of Metal Church under the name Shrapnel. The initial lineup included vocalist Mike Murphy, lead guitarist Craig Wells, bassist Duke Erickson and drummer Tom Weber, although Murphy left before the recording of the band's next demo, 1982's Hitman.[7] Shortly after, David Wayne replaced Murphy and Kirk Arrington took over from the outgoing Weber; the new lineup released Four Hymns and an untitled third demo in 1983.[7] Shrapnel was also renamed Metal Church in 1983.[8] In 1984, Metal Church released its self-titled debut album on independent label Ground Zero, which leads to Elektra Records signing the group in 1985.[8] The band's major label debut The Dark followed in September 1986.[9]

Mike Howe replaced David Wayne in 1988, remaining until their 1995 breakup. He later rejoined in 2015.

After the recording of The Dark, founding member Kurdt Vanderhoof stepped down from the band's lineup, although he would continue to write material and occasionally feature on future recordings.[10] He was replaced initially on tour by Mark Baker, before John Marshall took over on a more permanent basis.[11][12] The new lineup toured throughout 1987 and early 1988, before Wayne left in the summer and initially joined a group called Intrinsic,[13] before forming his own group Reverend later in the year.[14] Mike Howe, formerly of Heretic, took Wayne's place as frontman of Metal Church.[15] Howe, Wells, Marshall, Erickson and Arrington released Blessing in Disguise in 1989, The Human Factor in 1991 and Hanging in the Balance in 1993.[16] The band broke up in 1995 due to various "internal conflicts".[17]

1998–2009

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In 1998, when compiling the album Live, the 1982–1986 lineup of Metal Church (David Wayne, Craig Wells, Kurdt Vanderhoof, Duke Erickson and Kirk Arrington) reformed to start working on new material; Wells backed out early into the process, however, and John Marshall returned to take his place.[8] The new lineup released Masterpeace in July 1999.[18] For a subsequent European tour, Brian Lake and Jeff Wade filled in for Erickson (who was unable to play due to family commitments) and Arrington (who was detained), respectively.[8] Vanderhoof has subsequently claimed that Arrington was unwell during this period and "barely played" on Masterpeace.[19]

After the 1999 tour dates, Metal Church essentially disbanded. Wayne claimed that "Kurdt and the guys did not want to continue with Metal Church", after which the singer used the band name as the title of his next solo album.[20] Vanderhoof claimed in a 2016 interview that the reunion was "a bad, bad idea", claiming that "We did a tour and it was awful".[19] In the summer of 2001, however, around the time of the release of Wayne's Metal Church album, various band members explained that the group was still together, albeit inactive while Vanderhoof focused on his solo project.[21][22] Wayne officially announced his departure in June 2001.[23]

Metal Church did not re-emerge until October 2003, when it was announced that a new lineup including Vanderhoof and Arrington alongside vocalist Ronny Munroe, lead guitarist Jay Reynolds and bassist Steve Unger was recording a new album.[24] The album was released as The Weight of the World in 2004.[25] In February 2006, it was announced that Arrington had to leave the group "due to health complications from years of struggling with diabetes".[26] Jeff Plate took his place, starting with recording for A Light in the Dark in January.[27] In February 2008, Jay Reynolds left the band for "personal reasons".[28] Rick Van Zandt replaced him, debuting on This Present Wasteland.[29]

On July 7, 2009, Metal Church announced that it was disbanding, citing "far too much frustration and disappointment in trying to keep moving forward", including the impending (but later reversed) insolvency of its record label SPV GmbH.[30] The group had earlier had to pull out of several live performances due to Vanderhoof's ongoing back problems.[31]

Since 2012

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Metal Church announced in October 2012 that it would be reforming for shows in 2013, with a lineup of Ronny Munroe, Jay Reynolds, Kurdt Vanderhoof, Steve Unger and Jeff Plate.[32] By the time they played their first show back in January, Rick Van Zandt had returned in Reynolds' place.[33] The band released Generation Nothing later in 2013, and after a subsequent touring cycle, Munroe stepped left to "pursue other interests" in September 2014.[34] His replacement was announced as the returning Mike Howe in April 2015, after a short trial period during which time he wrote new material with Vanderhoof.[35] A new album, XI, was released in 2016.[36] Plate later announced that he was leaving the group in March 2017.[37] The following month, former W.A.S.P. drummer Stet Howland was announced as Plate's replacement.[38]

The band released Damned If You Do in 2018,[39] followed by From the Vault in 2020 which included four new studio tracks.[40] These were the final Metal Church recordings to feature Mike Howe, who died by suicide on July 26, 2021.[41] The band became inactive following Howe's death, with Vanderhoof waiting until September 2022 to confirm that it would continue with a new vocalist, who they had reportedly chosen.[42] In February 2023, it was announced that Marc Lopes was Metal Church's new singer.[43] A new album, Congregation of Annihilation, was released that May.[44]

Members

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Current

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Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Metal Church- Wacken Open Air 2016-AL9117.jpg
 Kurdt Vanderhoof
  • 1980–1986
  • 1998–2009
  • 2012–present
  • rhythm guitar
  • keyboards
  • backing vocals
 all Metal Church releases from Red Skies (1981) to The Dark (1986), and from Live (1986) onwards – plus additional contributions to Blessing in Disguise (1989) and Hanging in the Balance (1993), and songwriting on The Human Factor (1991)
Metal Church- Wacken Open Air 2016-AL9030.jpg
 Steve Unger
  • 2003–2009
  • 2012–present
  • bass
  • backing vocals
 all Metal Church releases from The Weight of the World (2004) onwards
Metal Church- Wacken Open Air 2016-AL9093.jpg
 Rick Van Zandt
  • 2008–2009
  • 2012–present
 lead guitar all Metal Church releases from This Present Wasteland (2008) onwards
Stet Howland.png
 Stet Howland 2017–present
  • drums
  • percussion
Marc Lopez.png
 Marc Lopes 2023–present lead vocals Congregation of Annihilation (2023)

Former

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Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Rick "Chief" Condrin 1980 (died 2014) lead guitar Red Skies demo (1981)
Steve Hott 1980 bass
William McKay lead vocals none
Rick Wagner drums
Aaron Zimpel 1980 (died 2019) Red Skies demo (1981)
Ed Bull 1980 lead vocals none
Carl Sacco 1981 drums
Metal Church 1989 (Duke Erickson).jpg
 Duke Erickson
  • 1981–1995
  • 1998–1999
  • 2000–2001
 bass all Metal Church releases from the Hitman demo (1982) to Masterpeace (1999)
Metal Church 1989 (John Marshall).jpg
 Craig Wells
  • 1981–1995
  • 1998
 lead guitar all Metal Church releases from the Hitman demo (1982) to Live (1998)
Tom Weber 1981–1982 drums Hitman demo (1982)
Mike Murphy lead vocals none
Metal Church 1989 (Craig Wells).jpg
 Kirk Arrington
  • 1982–1995
  • 1998–1999
  • 2000–2006 (died 2023)
  • drums
  • percussion
 all Metal Church releases from the Four Hymns demo (1983) to The Weight of the World (2004)
David Wayne
  • 1983–1988
  • 1998–2001 (died 2005)
 lead vocals
  • Four Hymns demo (1983)
  • untitled 1983 demo
  • Metal Church (1984)
  • The Dark (1986)
  • Live (1998)
  • Masterpeace (1999)
Mark Baker 1986 rhythm guitar none
Metal Church 1989 (Kirk Arrington).jpg
 John Marshall
  • 1986–1995
  • 1998–2001
 guitar (rhythm 1986–1996, lead 1998–2001)
  • all Metal Church releases from Blessing in Disguise (1989) to Hanging in the Balance (1993)
  • Masterpeace (1999)
Metal Church- Wacken Open Air 2016-AL9064.jpg
 Mike Howe
  • 1988–1995
  • 2015–2021 (until his death)
 lead vocals all Metal Church releases from Blessing in Disguise (1989) to Hanging in the Balance (1993), and from "Badlands" (2015) to From the Vault (2020)
Ronny Munroe.png
 Ronny Munroe
  • 2003–2009
  • 2012–2014
Kurdt Vanderhoof and Jay.jpg
 Jay Reynolds
  • 2003–2008
  • 2012
 lead guitar
  • The Weight of the World (2004)
  • A Light in the Dark (2006)
Savatage (PK) – Wacken Open Air 2015 00 (cropped).jpg
 Jeff Plate
  • 2006–2009
  • 2012–2017
  • drums
  • percussion
 all Metal Church releases from A Light in the Dark (2006) to Classic Live (2017)

Touring

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Image Name Years active Instruments Details
Brian Lake 1999 bass Lake temporarily replaced Duke Erickson, who was unable to tour due to family commitments, in 1999.[8]
Jeff Wade drums Wade performed some drums on Masterpeace and took over from Kirk Arrington on the subsequent tour.[8]
Ira Black in studio.jpg
 Ira Black 2005 rhythm guitar Black substituted for Kurdt Vanderhoof in summer 2005 when the guitarist had "prior commitments".[45]
Paul Kleff 2016 lead guitar Kleff and Caffery stepped in for Rick Van Zandt during early 2016 when he had to have eye surgery.[46][47]
Savatage (PK) – Wacken Open Air 2015 05.jpg
 Chris Caffery
Bobby Ferkovich 2019
  • bass
  • backing vocals
 Ferkovich performed on an Australian tour in the summer of 2019 when Steve Unger couldn't make it.[48]

Timeline

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Lineups

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Period Members Releases
1980
  • William McKay – vocals
  • Rick Condrin – lead guitar
  • Kurdt Vanderhoof – rhythm guitar
  • Steve Hott – bass
  • Rick Wagner – drums
 none – live shows only
  • Ed Bull – vocals
  • Rick Condrin – lead guitar
  • Kurdt Vanderhoof – rhythm guitar
  • Steve Hott – bass
  • Aaron Zimpel – drums
1980–1981
  • Rick Condrin – lead guitar
  • Kurdt Vanderhoof – rhythm guitar
  • Steve Hott – bass
  • Aaron Zimpel – drums
  • Red Skies demo (1981)
1981
  • Rick Condrin – lead guitar
  • Kurdt Vanderhoof – rhythm guitar
  • Steve Hott – bass
  • Carl Sacco – drums
 none – live shows only
1981
(as Shrapnel)
  • Mike Murphy – vocals
  • Craig Wells – lead guitar
  • Kurdt Vanderhoof – rhythm guitar
  • Duke Erickson – bass
  • Tom Weber – drums
1981–1982
(as Shrapnel)
  • Craig Wells – lead guitar
  • Kurdt Vanderhoof – rhythm guitar
  • Duke Erickson – bass
  • Tom Weber – drums
  • Hitman demo (1982)
Early 1983 – summer 1986
(initially as Shrapnel)
  • David Wayne – vocals
  • Craig Wells – lead guitar
  • Kurdt Vanderhoof – rhythm guitar
  • Duke Erickson – bass
  • Kirk Arrington – drums, percussion
Fall 1986
  • David Wayne – vocals
  • Craig Wells – lead guitar
  • Mark Baker – rhythm guitar
  • Duke Erickson – bass
  • Kirk Arrington – drums, percussion
 none – live shows only
Late 1986 – summer 1988
  • David Wayne – vocals
  • Craig Wells – lead guitar
  • John Marshall – rhythm guitar
  • Duke Erickson – bass
  • Kirk Arrington – drums, percussion
1988–1995
  • Mike Howe – vocals
  • Craig Wells – lead guitar
  • John Marshall – rhythm guitar
  • Duke Erickson – bass
  • Kirk Arrington – drums, percussion
Band inactive 1995–1998
1998
  • David Wayne – vocals
  • Craig Wells – lead guitar
  • Kurdt Vanderhoof – rhythm guitar
  • Duke Erickson – bass
  • Kirk Arrington – drums, percussion
 none – live shows only
Late 1998 – June 2001
  • David Wayne – vocals
  • John Marshall – lead guitar
  • Kurdt Vanderhoof – rhythm guitar
  • Duke Erickson – bass
  • Kirk Arrington – drums, percussion
Band on hiatus 2001–2003
October 2003 – January 2006
  • Ronny Munroe – lead vocals
  • Jay Reynolds – lead guitar
  • Kurdt Vanderhoof – rhythm guitar, keyboards
  • Steve Unger – bass, backing vocals
  • Kirk Arrington – drums, percussion
January 2006 – February 2008
  • Ronny Munroe – lead vocals
  • Jay Reynolds – lead guitar
  • Kurdt Vanderhoof – rhythm guitar, keyboards
  • Steve Unger – bass, backing vocals
  • Jeff Plate – drums, percussion
February 2008 – July 2009
  • Ronny Munroe – lead vocals
  • Rick Van Zandt – lead guitar
  • Kurdt Vanderhoof – rhythm guitar, keyboards
  • Steve Unger – bass, backing vocals
  • Jeff Plate – drums, percussion
Band inactive July 2009 – October 2012
October – late 2012
  • Ronny Munroe – lead vocals
  • Jay Reynolds – lead guitar
  • Kurdt Vanderhoof – rhythm guitar, keyboards
  • Steve Unger – bass, backing vocals
  • Jeff Plate – drums, percussion
 none – rehearsals only
Late 2012 – September 2014
  • Ronny Munroe – lead vocals
  • Rick Van Zandt – lead guitar
  • Kurdt Vanderhoof – rhythm guitar, keyboards
  • Steve Unger – bass, backing vocals
  • Jeff Plate – drums, percussion
April 2015 – March 2017
  • Mike Howe – lead vocals
  • Rick Van Zandt – lead guitar
  • Kurdt Vanderhoof – rhythm guitar, keyboards
  • Steve Unger – bass, backing vocals
  • Jeff Plate – drums, percussion
  • "Badlands" (2015)
  • XI (2016)
  • Classic Live (2017)
April 2017 – July 2021
  • Mike Howe – lead vocals
  • Rick Van Zandt – lead guitar
  • Kurdt Vanderhoof – rhythm guitar, keyboards
  • Steve Unger – bass, backing vocals
  • Stet Howland – drums, percussion
Band on hiatus July 2021 – February 2023
February 2023 – present
  • Marc Lopes – lead vocals
  • Rick Van Zandt – lead guitar
  • Kurdt Vanderhoof – rhythm guitar, keyboards
  • Steve Unger – bass, backing vocals
  • Stet Howland – drums, percussion


References

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  1. ^ Skager, Shawn (August 21, 2013). "Rejuvenated Metal Church returns with Ronny Munroe on the mic". Auburn Reporter. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  2. ^ Haifl, Michael (September 16, 2020). "Griffin (USA) – Flight Of The Griffin/Protectors Of The Lair – Ultimate Edition (1)". SaitenKult (in German). Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  3. ^ Meyer, Thomas. "Griffin – Flight Of The Griffin/Protectors Of The Lair". Voices from the Darkside. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  4. ^ "Memorial For Steve Hott". David Wayne Metal Church Reverend. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  5. ^ "Sunday Old School: Metal Church". MetalUnderground.com. May 6, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  6. ^ Red Skies (Media notes). Metal Church. Metal Church. 1981. Retrieved April 11, 2023.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ^ a b Keyser (March 16, 2012). "Metal Church – Metal Church". Thrashocore (in French). Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e f "Metal Church History". Metal Church. Archived from the original on April 7, 2005. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  9. ^ "The Dark – Metal Church: Release Info". AllMusic. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  10. ^ Björnshög, Stefan (December 20, 2018). "Interview with Kurdt Vanderhoof of Metal Church". Stargazed Magazine. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  11. ^ "Catching Up With Metal Church's Craig Wells... Again". The Metal Files. October 31, 2016. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  12. ^ Dileo, Gennaro (February 11, 2016). "Metal Church – The Dark". MetalItalia.com (in Italian). Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  13. ^ "Intrinsic, "Intrinsic", Important/No Wimp" (PDF). The Hard Report. No. 90. Medford Lakes, New Jersey: The Hard Report. August 5, 1998. p. 28. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  14. ^ "Rare Reverend Compilation Featuring Late Metal Church Singer David Wayne Now Scheduled For October; Complete Details Revealed". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. August 6, 2020. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  15. ^ Rene, Sheila (December 16, 1988). "Hear & There: Bits & Pieces" (PDF). Gavin Report. No. 1737. San Francisco, California: The Gavin Report. p. 17. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  16. ^ "Metal Musicians React To Passing Of Metal Church Singer Mike Howe". Blabbermouth.net. July 27, 2021. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  17. ^ Syrjala, Marko (October 13, 2016). "Metal Church – vocalist Mike Howe discusses his return to the band, new album XI and more". Metal-Rules.com. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  18. ^ Huey, Steve. "Metal Church – Masterpeace: Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  19. ^ a b O'Neill, Eamon. "Metal Church Kurdt Vanderhoof Mike Howe eonmusic interview". eonmusic. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  20. ^ German, Eric (2001). "Wayne Interview". metalupdate.com. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  21. ^ "Archive News Jun 29, 2001". Blabbermouth.net. June 29, 2001. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  22. ^ "Archive News Aug 10, 2001 – update 1". Blabbermouth.net. August 10, 2001. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  23. ^ "Archive News Jun 14, 2001". Blabbermouth.net. June 14, 2001. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
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  25. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Metal Church – The Weight of the World: Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  26. ^ "Drummer Kirk Arrington Leaves Metal Church". MetalUnderground.com. February 3, 2006. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
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  28. ^ "Metal Church Part Ways With Guitarist Jay Reynolds". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. February 20, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  29. ^ "Metal Church Announces New Guitarist". Blabbermouth.net. April 16, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  30. ^ "Metal Church Calling It Quits". Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. July 7, 2009. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  31. ^ "Metal Church Pulls Out Of Overkill's European Tour". Blabbermouth.net. October 17, 2008. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  32. ^ "Reunited Metal Church Confirmed For 70000 Tons Of Metal". Blabbermouth.net. October 6, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  33. ^ "Reunited Metal Church Begins Work On New Album". Blabbermouth.net. March 13, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  34. ^ "Vocalist Ronny Munroe Quits Metal Church; Band Vows To Continue". Blabbermouth.net. September 24, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  35. ^ "Metal Church Rejoined By Singer Mike Howe". Blabbermouth.net. April 30, 2015. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  36. ^ Redman, Tim (March 17, 2016). "Album Review: XI – Metal Church". Distorted Sound. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  37. ^ Childers, Chad (March 21, 2017). "Metal Church Drummer Jeff Plate Reveals Exit From the Band". Loudwire. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  38. ^ "Metal Church recruits drummer Stet Howland (ex-W.A.S.P.)". Metal-Rules.com. April 21, 2017. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  39. ^ "Metal Church – Damned If You Do: Album Reviews, Songs & More". AllMusic. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  40. ^ "Metal Church To Release 'From The Vault' In April". Blabbermouth.net. February 21, 2020. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  41. ^ Neilstein, Vince (July 30, 2021). "Metal Church's Mike Howe Died by Suicide". MetalSucks. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  42. ^ "Kurdt Vanderhoof Says Metal Church Has Found Replacement For Mike Howe; New Album To Arrive In 2023". Blabbermouth.net. September 23, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  43. ^ "It's Official: Metal Church Enlists Ross The Boss And Let Us Prey Vocalist Marc Lopes". Blabbermouth.net. February 2, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  44. ^ "Metal Church Announces 'Congregation Of Annihilation' Album, Shares 'Pick A God And Prey' Single". Blabbermouth.net. March 23, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  45. ^ "Guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof Sits Out Metal Church Tour, Temporary Replacement Announced". Blabbermouth.net. July 6, 2005. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  46. ^ "Metal Church Guitarist Rick Van Zandt Forced To Sit Out Shows; Temporary Replacement Announced". Blabbermouth.net. February 19, 2016. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  47. ^ O'Neill, Christina (March 4, 2016). "Metal Church tour with Savatage's Chris Caffery". Metal Hammer. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  48. ^ Antony, George (September 9, 2019). "Metal Church In Sydney, Australia". KNAC. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
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