Artist page · 05/07/2026

Metal Church

San FranciscoFormed in 1980Black Metal8 vinyl albums

Metal Church, formed in San Francisco in 1980, blends heavy metal, thrash, and power metal styles. The US group has a catalog spanning studio albums from 1984 to upcoming 2026 releases and live recordings.

Explore the discography The 3 must-haves

8Albums on Vinyles.com

500Discogs releases

234kLast.fm listeners

About

Nine studio albums and live recordings, with original 1989 Blessing In Disguise and 2026 Dead To Rights on heavyweight vinyl.

Metal Church stands as a significant American heavy metal band originating from the San Francisco area. Their sound merges elements of thrash metal, power metal, and traditional heavy metal. Key vocals have included Mike Howe, particularly notable with the 2016 album XI. The band released the self-titled debut album in 1984 and maintained activity through multiple lineups and styles. The discography includes nine studio albums and several live records with vinyl releases on labels such as Music On Vinyl, Rat Pak Records, and Reaper Entertainment.

Collectors will find heavyweight audiophile vinyl editions like the 2014 Blessing In Disguise on 180g black vinyl and the limited edition Dead To Rights from 2026 with multiple pressings worldwide.

Discography

Metal Church discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

Rat Pak Records · 2026

2026

Dead To Rights

Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition

Studio

Rat Pak Records · 2024

2024

The Final Sermon (Live In Japan 2019)

CD, Album

Live

Rat Pak Records · 2023

2023

Congregation Of Annihilation

Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered

Studio

Nuclear Blast · 2018

2018

Damned If You Do

Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition

Studio

Rat Pak Records · 2017

2017

Classic Live

Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo

Studio

Nuclear Blast · 2016

2016

Vinyl, LP, Album

Studio

Rat Pak Records · 2013

2013

Generation Nothing

CD, Album

Studio

Steamhammer · 2008

2008

This Present Wasteland

CD, Album

Studio

Steamhammer · 2006

2006

A Light In The Dark

CD, Album

Studio

Steamhammer · 2004

2004

The Weight Of The World

CD, Album

Studio

Steamhammer · 1999

1999

Masterpeace

CD, Album

Studio

Rising Sun Productions · 1993

1993

Hanging In The Balance

CD, Album

Studio

Epic · 1991

1991

The Human Factor

Vinyl, LP, Album

Studio

Elektra · 1989

1989

Blessing In Disguise

Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo

Studio

Elektra · 1986

1986

The Dark

Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo

Studio

Ground Zero Records · 1984

1984

Metal Church

Vinyl, LP, Album

Studio

Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up Metal Church's career.

Metal Church

Live · 1998

Beyond the Black

Live · 1998

Watch the Children Pray

Live · 1998

Gods of Wrath

Live · 1998

Start the Fire

Live · 1998

Ton of Bricks

Live · 1998

Merciless Onslaught

Highway Star

Live · 1998

The essentials

The 3 Metal Church albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 1989

180g Black Audiophile Vinyl LP

Blessing In Disguise

This album highlights a pivotal shift with new vocalist Mike Howe, blending thrash intensity and melodic elements, now prized on audiophile vinyl.

10 tracksGatefold sleeve2014 Music On Vinyl pressingIncludes insert

#2 · 2026

Limited Edition LP

Dead To Rights

Recent studio album featuring thrash and heavy metal, released on numbered heavyweight vinyl with several official pressings internationally.

8 tracksLimited editionCat. no. RPR961519 (US pressing)Multiple pressings available

#3 · 2024

Limited Edition LP

The Final Sermon (Live In Japan)

Live album capturing Metal Church’s 2019 Japanese concerts, released on limited edition heavyweight vinyl showcasing energetic performance.

20 tracksLive recordingCat. no. RPR816328 (US pressing)Released 2024

Go further

Artists similar to Metal Church

Artists who share part of Metal Church's musical DNA.

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of Metal Church

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

"Metal Church blends thrash and heavy metal into a distinctive American sound."

— Editorial summary

01Album Recording

Blessing In Disguise marks Mike Howe's first album

Released in 1989, 'Blessing In Disguise' introduced vocalist Mike Howe, bringing a new direction to Metal Church’s sound, mixing thrash and melody.

1989United States

02Vinyl Pressing

Multiple pressings of Dead To Rights in 2026

The 2026 album 'Dead To Rights' was issued on limited edition heavyweight vinyl by Rat Pak Records and Reaper Entertainment, with pressings in the US and Germany including a numbered edition.

2026US & Germany

03Live Album

The Final Sermon captures 2019 performances in Japan

Recorded live during 2019 concerts in Japan, 'The Final Sermon' was released on limited edition vinyl in 2024, with versions offering exclusive studio mix bonus tracks.

2019 / 2024Japan / US

04Classic Album

Metal Church’s self-titled debut released in 1984

The 1984 debut LP was a key early release on Ground Zero Records, establishing the band’s heavy metal foundation and featuring signature tracks like 'Metal Church'.

1984United States

Records by Metal Church

See all

Dark

Metal Church

Hard Rock / Heavy Metal Metal

Jul 17, 2026 MUSIC ON VINYL

From $38.99 1 offer

DEAD TO RIGHTS (SPLATTER IN Gatefold, 180g)

Metal Church

Metal / Fusion Metal

Apr 10, 2026 REAPER ENTERTAINMENT / ADA

View details

DEAD TO RIGHTS (BLACK VINYL IN SLEEVE)

Metal Church

Metal / Fusion Metal

Apr 10, 2026 REAPER ENTERTAINMENT / ADA

View details

Live

Metal Church

Metal / Fusion Metal

Aug 8, 2025 High Roller Records

View details

REFORGED: THE REMASTERED COLLECTION (1999 - 2013)

Metal Church

Metal / Fusion Metal

Jul 18, 2025 REAPER ENTERTAINMENT / ADA

From $272.99 1 offer

Human Factor

Metal Church

Hard Rock / Heavy Metal Metal

Feb 7, 2025 MUSIC ON VINYL

View details

THE FINAL SERMON (LIVE IN JAPAN)

Metal Church

Hard Rock / Heavy Metal Metal

Jul 26, 2024 REAPER ENTERTAINMENT / ADA

View details

METAL CHURCH/180g Audiophile Black Vinyl

Metal Church

Hard Rock / Heavy Metal Metal

Aug 18, 2016 MUSIC ON VINYL

View details

BLESSING IN DISGUISE/VINYLE NOIR AUDIOPHILE 180GR/INCLUS INSERT - Front Cover

BLESSING IN DISGUISE/180g Audiophile Black Vinyl/Includes Insert

Metal Church

Hard Rock / Heavy Metal Metal

May 28, 2014 MUSIC ON VINYL

View details

Recommended accessories

To protect, store and clean your records.

All accessories

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FAQ

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

Where did Metal Church originate?

Metal Church formed in San Francisco, United States, in 1980, developing a sound rooted in heavy and thrash metal.

How many studio albums has Metal Church released?

They have released nine studio albums between 1984 and upcoming 2026, along with live albums and compilations.

Which Metal Church albums are available on heavyweight vinyl?

Notable heavyweight vinyl releases include Blessing In Disguise (2014 audiophile pressing) and the limited edition Dead To Rights (2026).

What formats are Metal Church's live recordings released on?

Live albums, such as The Final Sermon (recorded in Japan 2019), are released on limited edition LP vinyl and digital formats.

Are there any rare or limited edition Metal Church pressings?

Yes, limited edition numbered pressings exist for albums like Dead To Rights and The Final Sermon, often sought by collectors.

What are the top Metal Church tracks to listen to for vinyl enthusiasts?

Top tracks include 'Metal Church,' 'Beyond the Black,' and 'Watch the Children Pray,' popular among vinyl collectors and fans.

Where can vinyl collectors in France find Metal Church records?

French collectors can explore releases on Music On Vinyl and Bertus France, including titles like Dark and Human Factor.

Is there a significant difference in vinyl pressing availability between US and Germany?

Some Metal Church albums, like Dead To Rights and Live 1986, have pressings in both the US and Germany, with price and edition variations.

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

WP

Wikipedia
Encyclopaedic data and biography
↗
MB

MusicBrainz
Artist metadata, dates, type
↗
DG

Discogs
Discography, pressings and market prices
↗
LF

Last.fm
Listeners, plays, similar artists
↗
VC

Vinyles.com
In-house catalog, prices and availability
↗

Our method

Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.

Last updated: 05/07/2026

Metal Church

Metal Church, Seattle’s metallic force in heavy and thrash metal since 1980.

Blessing In Disguise marks Mike Howe's first album

Multiple pressings of Dead To Rights in 2026

The Final Sermon captures 2019 performances in Japan

Metal Church’s self-titled debut released in 1984

Records by Metal Church

Recommended accessories

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LELELINKY Large Black Record Player Stand, 3 Tier 18" Wide Big End Table with Vinyl Storage Up to 130 Albums, Industrial Turntable Printer Tables, Modern Side Tables for Living Room, Bedroom, Office

AMHANCIBLE Record Player Stand with Charging Station, Vinyl Record Storage | Turntable Stand with Type-C, Vinyl Record Player Table Holds 100 Albums, 3 Tier End Table Living Room, Rustic Brown

VASAGLE 3-Tier Record Player Stand, Vinyl Record Storage up to 100 Albums | Side Table, End Table for Living Room, Bedroom, Rustic White, DACEY Collection ULET275W01

Big Fudge 4-in-1 Vinyl Record Cleaning Kit, Brush and Cleaning Fluid | Anti Static Velvet and Stylus Brushes, Storage Pouch, Full Clean in Under a Minute, Gentle on Grooves

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Official Metal Church merch

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