This album highlights a pivotal shift with new vocalist Mike Howe, blending thrash intensity and melodic elements, now prized on audiophile vinyl.
Artist page · 05/07/2026
Metal Church
About
Metal Church, Seattle’s metallic force in heavy and thrash metal since 1980.
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
Rat Pak Records · 2024
Rat Pak Records · 2023
Nuclear Blast · 2018
Rat Pak Records · 2017
Nuclear Blast · 2016
Rat Pak Records · 2013
Steamhammer · 2008
Steamhammer · 2006
Steamhammer · 2004
Steamhammer · 1999
Steamhammer · 1998
Rising Sun Productions · 1993
Epic · 1991
Elektra · 1989
Elektra · 1986
Ground Zero Records · 1984Playlist
Signature tracks
The tracks that sum up Metal Church's career.







The essentials
The 3 Metal Church albums you absolutely need
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
Recent studio album featuring thrash and heavy metal, released on numbered heavyweight vinyl with several official pressings internationally.
Live album capturing Metal Church’s 2019 Japanese concerts, released on limited edition heavyweight vinyl showcasing energetic performance.
Go further
Artists similar to Metal Church
Artists who share part of Metal Church's musical DNA.
Collectors
For vinyl die-hards
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
Market values (source: Discogs)
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
Notable pressings & editions
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
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.
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.
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.
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'.
Records by Metal Church
See allFAQ
FAQ: Metal Church on physical formats
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.
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.




