METAL CHURCH are mainstays in Thrash Metal. Hailing from Aberdeen, WA, they formed in 1980 and have gone through more than their fair share of tragedy, yet have persevered and prevailed. Congregation Of Annihilation is their 13^th full-length album and was released on May 26th, 2023, via Rat Pak Records. Kurdt Vanderhoof has claimed this is an album that harkens back to the early days of the band, and he is right, but not about every song. "Another Judgement Day" is definitely going back to their heavier Thrash Metal roots. The guitars are that combination of heavy and melodic that are part of the band's signature. Stet Howland goes full beast mode on the skins, pounding them into submission and Steve Unger shows why he's one of the best Thrash bassists around.

The same can be said for the title track, "Congregation Of Annihilation." The old-school Thrash is in full effect with the heavy riffing and the beautifully heavy rhythm. Marc Lopes hits some classic METAL CHURCH vocal notes which gives me absolute faith he can take care of the new and old songs the way they should be. Some of my favorites are definitely in good hands. Now, we hit "Pick A God And Pray," a song with a newer style. This one reminds me of some of the tracks off Damned If You Do and XI. I am definitely happy about this because the new stuff is just as good as the old in my opinion. The guitar work on this track is fantastic. Kurdt and Rick are a formidable duo who know how to craft intricate phrasing and weave it together to create a cohesive, melodic song.

And speaking of melodic, "Me The Nothing" has an excellent, melodic intro that leads to a slower, heavier rhythm/riff combination. Those delicate leads filling the tiny gaps in the vocal lines is something beautiful to behold. That's followed by "Making Monsters," an aggressive song with a frantic rhythm and furious attitude. The subdued guitars through the first verse, accentuating the stunning drum work of Stet Howland is something to witness, especially when they go full force at the pre-chorus and chorus. They go back to old-school, chugging Thrash Metal for the conclusion of the record. "All That We Destroy" is back to a different style of heaviness, though there are small bits of the new spliced in showing this band can go from one to the other without missing a beat.

This is METAL CHURCH's 13^th exhibit to show they have been, and still are, one of the best Thrash Metal bands to have ever existed. They're as strong now as they've ever been, and from the sound of it, they aren't going anywhere anytime soon. I first heard this band on The Dark and have loved them ever since. I admire their drive to keep going after the tragedy of Mike Howe's death and applaud them for picking someone who will honor the past and crush the present. I wish I still lived in Massachusetts where they are doing the release party for this album. That's where I first met them, in New Hampshire, actually, at the release party for XI with the amazing Chris Caffrey filling in. These are top notch performers and equally kind people.

Once again, they've create a Masterpeace album and deserve all the accolades they can garner for it. Their future is not Hanging In The Balance. Okay, puns aside, this is one of the strongest albums they've ever produced. Welcome Marc, I hope you all get to Virginia sometime on this tour so I can catch you live one more time.