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Five
years after their reunion in 1999, Metal Church return with ‘The
Weight Of The World’. There’s also a few band member changes
which include former Rottweiller vocalist Ronny Monroe, Malice guitarist
Jay Reynolds, and on bass Steve Unger. These three musicians join
original members Kurdt Vanderhoof on guitar, and on drums Kirk
Arrington.
TWOTW is as true a metal album as you will hear with heavy guitar leads,
powerhouse vocals and a thunderous bass line. All the makings of a
full blown metal band and that’s what you get no nonsense ROCK!
The album kicks off and I mean kicks with ‘Leave Them Behind’, which
is very reminiscent of the metal of the early eighties mixed with
classic Maiden. The title track ‘The Weight Of The World’ is
another blistering attack on the senses full of mammoth guitars, as is
‘Hero’s Soul’.
Then there’s ‘Madman’s Soul’ at 8.34 it’s the longest track on
the album and once again reminiscent of Iron Maiden. But this time
only in the scale of the song with its ever changing tempo and guitar
solo’s in between the lyrics, one of the highlights of the album for
definite. ‘Sunless Sky’ shows the power of Monroe’s vocals
as he steps into the realm of Rob Halford with some ear-splitting
vocals.
‘Cradle To The Grave’ and ‘Wings Of Tomorrow’ once again wonder
down the Iron Maiden path. That isn’t a bad thing as it hasn’t
done Harris and co any harm over the past twenty or so years. ‘Time
To Tell’ and ‘Bomb To Drop’ have more originality about them and
try to break the mould set out by the rest of the album.
The final track ‘Blood Money’ speeds up the tempo see the band
almost go thrash on us with a blend of power and speed that is a far cry
from the rest of the album. In all honestly this seems a little
out of place on the album, but maybe this is a little taster for the
next album, who knows.
The album is not bad but I think could be better if the tried for a more
original sound.
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