METAL CHURCH - THE DARK 12" Vinyl LP Album

- German Release on ELEKTRA Records

  This is the German release of "The Dark" which is the second full length album released by Metal Church. It was also the last album in which the line-up of Wayne, Vanderhoof, Arrington, Wells and Erickson performed, until 1999's Masterpeace album. This album talks of dark themes, such as assassination, death, struggle, and rituals (for example, the lyrics from "Line of Death" were most likely based on Libyan hostilities in the Gulf of Sidra). One song from this album, "Watch the Children Pray", turned into the band's first music video. This album is one of their most critically and commercially successful albums to date. The album was dedicated to the late Cliff Burton of Metallica fame.

 

Metal Church The Dark album cover, showing a suburban home’s open doorway with glowing eyes in darkness, mist rolling across the steps, and a “Welcome” mat in front. Bold red-and-white band logo and album title in white.

Metal Church - The Dark: A Blast from the Past
Album Description:

Historical Context and Musical Exploration

The mid-80s were a weird time for heavy metal. Hairspray and spandex were all the rage, and the scene was getting increasingly commercialized. Amidst all this, bands like Metal Church were fighting the good fight, staying true to their roots while pushing the boundaries of the genre. "The Dark" is a testament to this struggle, a raw and uncompromising record that refused to bow to the mainstream.

Musically, the album is a powerhouse. Metal Church had already established their signature sound on their debut, but "The Dark" took things to the next level. The riffs are heavier, the vocals more aggressive, and the songwriting more mature. It's a dark and brooding record, both musically and lyrically.

Genre and Controversies

Metal Church has always been hard to categorize. They're not quite thrash, not quite power metal, but they have elements of both. "The Dark" perfectly encapsulates this ambiguity. It's a heavy metal album through and through, but it's also a unique and distinctive record that defies easy categorization.

The album's title track caused a bit of a stir upon its release. The song's lyrics dealt with suicide, a taboo subject at the time. Some radio stations refused to play it, and the band faced criticism from certain quarters. But Metal Church stood their ground, refusing to censor their art.

Production Team and Recording Studio

"The Dark" was produced by Terry Date, who would go on to work with bands like Pantera and Soundgarden. Date's production is clean and powerful, perfectly capturing the band's energy and intensity.

The album was recorded at Triad Studios in Redmond, Washington. The studio's acoustics and equipment contributed to the album's massive sound.

Conclusion

"The Dark" is a landmark album in the history of heavy metal. It's a raw, powerful, and uncompromising record that still sounds fresh today. Metal Church may not be a household name, but they've earned their place in the pantheon of metal gods.

Music Genre:

Heavy Metal / Thrash Metal 
Album Production Information:

The album: "METAL CHURCH - The Dark" was produced by: Mark Dodson

  • Mark Dodson – Producer, Recording Engineer

    One of those behind-the-glass names that keeps popping up when late-80s metal suddenly sounds huge, tight, and slightly unhinged (in the best way).

    Mark Dodson is the kind of credit I spot and immediately think: yep, this record is about to hit harder than it has any right to. He is a London-born British producer and sound engineer whose career kicks off in the late 1970s with engineering/mixing work (including acts like Advertising, Judas Priest, Joan Jett, and The Modern Lovers), then locks into metal gear for the big runs people actually collect for. With Anthrax, his main stretch is the late-80s/early-90s era (1988–1991) around State of Euphoria, Persistence of Time, and related releases. With Suicidal Tendencies, it is a tight, high-impact window from 1988–1990 (and a 1993 compilation credit), plus the side-quest with Infectious Grooves across 1991 and 1993. Basically: when I see his name, I expect punch, clarity, and zero patience for “polite” guitar tones. Mark Dodson Wiki

    • Terry Date - Sound Engineer, Producer

    Terry Date is a renowned American music producer and sound engineer known for shaping the sonic identity of heavy metal and rock. His work with Pantera, Soundgarden, Deftones, and White Zombie set new production standards, blending crushing heaviness with clarity. His influential career spans decades, leaving a lasting impact on modern metal. Read more .

    Bob Defrin - Art Direction

    Bob Defrin is a renowned art director and album cover designer best known for his striking visuals for hard rock and heavy metal acts in the 1980s. His bold, memorable imagery helped define the visual identity of bands like AC/DC, Twisted Sister, and Metallica. Discover more in this profile.

    Don Brautigam - Album artwork

  • Don Brautigam – American illustrator & album cover artist

    The American illustrator who painted Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” (1986) and then kept popping up on heavy hitters: Anthrax (1987–1990), Mötley Crüe (1989), and AC/DC (1990).

    Don Brautigam, I think of him as the rare visual storyteller who could bottle a band’s whole atmosphere into one frozen scene. He was an American painter/illustrator and graphic designer (active roughly 1974–2008), known for mixing acrylic painting with airbrush polish until the image felt unreal in the best way. His “periods” with bands read like a timeline of loud history: early credits include James Brown’s “The Payback” (1973) and “Reality” (1974), then Chuck Berry’s “Rockit” (1979), before the metal era hit like a brick through a stained-glass window. In 1986 he painted Metallica’s “Master of Puppets,” then followed with Anthrax’s run of covers — “Among the Living” (1987), “State of Euphoria” (1988), and “Persistence of Time” (1990) — before landing the big glossy menace of Mötley Crüe’s “Dr. Feelgood” (1989) and AC/DC’s “The Razors Edge” (1990). The wild part is how his art doesn’t just decorate the music; it sets the mood before the needle even drops.

    Don Brautigam Wiki

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    Record Label & Catalog-nr:

    Elektra 960 493-1

    Media Format:

    12" LP Vinyl Stereo Gramophone Record

    Total Album (Cover+Record) weight: 230 gram

    Year & Country:

    1986 Made in Germany
    Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: METAL CHURCH - The Dark
      Band-members, Musicians and Performers
    • David Wayne: Vocals

        David Wayne was an American singer and songwriter best known as the original lead vocalist for the heavy metal band Metal Church. He was born on March 2, 1955, in Salt Lake City, Utah, and grew up in the Pacific Northwest. Wayne started his musical career in the late 1970s, playing in various local bands before forming Metal Church in 1980. He provided lead vocals for the band's first two albums, "Metal Church" (1984) and "The Dark" (1986), which are considered classic examples of the thrash metal genre.

        Wayne left Metal Church in 1987 due to creative differences and formed his own band, Reverend, which released several albums throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s. He also worked as a session musician and collaborated with other artists in the heavy metal scene. Wayne died on May 10, 2005, at the age of 50, due to complications from a car accident. He is remembered as an influential figure in the heavy metal community and a pioneer of the thrash metal genre.

    • Kurdt Vanderhoof: Guitars

        Kurdt Vanderhoof an American guitarist, songwriter, and producer, founder and guitarist of the heavy metal band Metal Church. He was born on 9 June 1961, in San Francisco, California, and grew up in the Pacific Northwest. Vanderhoof started his musical career in the early 1980s, playing in various local bands before forming Metal Church in 1980. He has been the main songwriter and guitarist for the band throughout their career, and his distinctive playing style, characterized by powerful riffs and intricate solos, has been a key part of Metal Church's sound.

       Vanderhoof has been the only constant member of Metal Church throughout the band's history, and has also worked as a producer and engineer on several of their albums. He has also collaborated with other artists in the heavy metal scene and has been recognized as an influential figure in the genre. Metal Church continues to tour and record music, and Vanderhoof remains an active member of the band to this day.

    • Kirk Arrington: Drums

        Kirk Arrington was an American drummer with the heavy metal band Metal Church. He was born on 19 February 1963, and grew up in the Pacific Northwest. Arrington joined Metal Church in 1986 and played on several of the band's most well-known albums, including "The Dark" (1986), "Blessing in Disguise" (1989), and "The Human Factor" (1991). He was known for his powerful and aggressive drumming style, which was a key part of Metal Church's sound during his time with the band.

       Arrington left Metal Church in 1994 due to health issues, but returned to the band for a brief period in the late 1990s. He continued to play music and worked with other artists throughout his career. Arrington died on April 19, 2013, at the age of 50. He is remembered as an influential figure in the heavy metal community and a talented drummer.

    • Craig Wells: Guitars

        Craig Wells an American guitarist best known for his work with the heavy metal band Metal Church. He was born on 7 May 1962, and grew up in the Pacific Northwest. Wells joined Metal Church in 1984 and played on several of the band's early albums, including "Metal Church" (1984) and "The Dark" (1986). He was known for his aggressive and energetic playing style, which was a key part of Metal Church's sound during his time with the band.

       Wells left Metal Church in 1986 due to creative differences, but continued to play music and work with other artists throughout his career. He is remembered as an influential figure in the heavy metal community and a talented guitarist.

    • Duke Erickson: Bass

        Duke Erickson an American bassist best known for his work with the heavy metal band Metal Church. He was born on 5 June 1956, and grew up in the Pacific Northwest. Erickson joined Metal Church in 1986 and played on several of the band's well-known albums, including "The Dark" (1986), "Blessing in Disguise" (1989), and "The Human Factor" (1991). He was known for his solid and dependable bass playing, which was a key part of Metal Church's sound during his time with the band.

       Erickson left Metal Church in 1994, but continued to play music and work with other artists throughout his career. He has been recognized as an influential figure in the heavy metal community and a talented bassist. Erickson has also worked as a producer and engineer on several musical projects.

    Complete Track-listing of the album "METAL CHURCH - The Dark"

    The detailed tracklist of this record "METAL CHURCH - The Dark" is:

      Track-listing :
    1. Ton of Bricks - 3:00
    2. Start the Fire - 3:50
    3. Method To Your Madness - 4:52
    4. Watch The Children Pray - 5:57
    5. Over My Dead Body - 03:36
    6. The Dark - 4:11
    7. Psycho - 3:32
    8. Line Of Death - 4:42
    9. Burial At Sea - 4:58
    10. Western Alliance - 3:18

    The Dark by Metal Church Album Front Cover 

    Metal Church The Dark album cover, showing a suburban home’s open doorway with glowing eyes in darkness, mist rolling across the steps, and a “Welcome” mat in front. Bold red-and-white band logo and album title in white.

    depicts the entrance of a suburban home bathed in eerie twilight. The doorway is open, revealing pitch-black darkness within, punctuated by two glowing, sinister eyes peering out. A “Welcome” doormat sits at the front, contrasting sharply with the ominous atmosphere created by mist rolling across the brick steps and the shadows enveloping the house. The band’s bold red-and-white logo is positioned in the upper-left corner, with the album title, The Dark, written in a minimalist white font to the right.

    Photo of Metal Church band-mrembers on the album back cover 

    Back cover of Metal Church’s album The Dark featuring the band members in leather jackets and ripped jeans, posing in front of an industrial facility with silos and pipelines. Tracklist in bold red text on the left, barcode in the upper-right.

    This is the back cover of Metal Church’s album The Dark. It features a band photo with all five members posing against the backdrop of an industrial facility, complete with towering silos and pipelines. The band is clad in classic heavy metal attire, including black leather jackets, ripped jeans, and bandanas. The central member, wearing sunglasses, exudes a defiant attitude, perfectly capturing the band’s energetic and rebellious image. The tracklist appears in bold red text on the left, contrasting with the blue sky in the background, while the barcode and label details are in the upper-right corner.

    Close-up of the Black and Red Elektra label of "The Dark" Side One 

    Vinyl record label for Metal Church’s album The Dark, featuring a two-tone brown and red design, Elektra Records logo, album title, band name, catalog number 960 493-1, and production details

    This image showcases the vinyl record label for Metal Church’s album The Dark. The label is divided into a two-tone design, with a brown upper section and a red lower section. The Elektra Records logo is prominently displayed at the top, and below it, the album title and band name, Metal Church - The Dark, are printed in bold, clear text. Additional details include the track information, production credits, and the catalog number (960 493-1), which is positioned in the red section. The ‘Stereo’ designation and GEMA/BIEM copyright information appear on the left.

    Close-up of the Black and Red Elektra label of "The Dark" Side Two   

    Vinyl record label for Side Two of Metal Church’s album The Dark, featuring a two-tone brown and red design, Elektra Records logo, album title, band name, catalog number 960 493-1, and track details.

    This image displays the vinyl record label for Side Two of Metal Church’s album The Dark. The design mirrors Side One with its two-tone layout: a brown upper section and a red lower section. The Elektra Records logo is centered at the top, and the album’s title and band name, Metal Church - The Dark, are positioned beneath it in bold lettering. The label includes track information for Side Two, along with production credits and the catalog number (960 493-1) in the red section. The ‘Stereo’ and GEMA/BIEM copyright designations are printed on the left, with “Side Two” on the right.

     

    Note: The images on this page are photos of the actual album. Slight differences in color may exist due to the use of the camera's flash.

    Spinning Through Time: The Ultimate Collection of Metal Church's Vinyl LPs in a Comprehensive Discography

    METAL CHURCH - Blessing in Disguise ( Elektra )

    Thumbnail of METAL CHURCH - Blessing in Disguise 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

    Elektra 960 817 , 1988 , EEC

    1989. The year Metal Church unleashed "Blessing in Disguise" upon an unsuspecting world. Thrash was king, hair metal was teetering on the edge of extinction, and grunge was still a glint in Kurt Cobain's eye. Amidst this musical upheaval, Metal Church, the unsung heroes of American heavy metal

    Blessing in Disguise ( Elektra ) 12" Vinyl LP

    METAL CHURCH - The Dark (German & USA Releases)

    Thumbnail of METAL CHURCH - The Dark ( Germany ) 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

    Elektra 960 493 , 1986 , Germany

    Metal Church's "The Dark" is a relentless sonic assault, a testament to the band's evolution into a heavier, more aggressive sound. Released in 1986, it features the powerhouse vocals of David Wayne and the twin guitar attack of Kurdt Vanderhoof and John Marshall.

    The Dark (German Release) The Dark (USA Release)

    METAL CHURCH - S/T self-titled (Elektra Records)

    Thumbnail of METAL CHURCH - S/T self-titled ( Elektra ) 12" Vinyl LP album front cover

      Elektra 960471 , 1984 , Germany

    Metal Church's self-titled debut is a raw, unadulterated blast of heavy metal thunder. It blends classic metal riffs, thrashing energy, and a touch of punk attitude. Songs like "Beyond the Black" and "Gods of Wrath" showcase the band's power and intensity, while David Wayne's vocals are a force of nature.

    METAL CHURCH Self-Titled (German Release Elektra) METAL CHURCH Self-Titled (German Release Steamhammer) METAL CHURCH Self-Titled (Canadian Release Banzai)