METAL CHURCH have revealed the full tracklist for their upcoming thirteenth studio album "Dead To Rights," due April 10 via Rat Pak Records. The album features the band's revamped lineup of founding guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, guitarist Rick Van Zandt, former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson, veteran drummer Ken Mary — whose credits include work with ALICE COOPER, HOUSE OF LORDS, and FIFTH ANGEL — and new vocalist Brian Allen, who brings a powerful, versatile voice that draws comparisons to classic METAL CHURCH frontmen.
The record was preceded by two well-received singles. "F.A.F.O." has surpassed 400,000 video views and counting, demonstrating strong interest in the band's new chapter, while the more recently released "Brainwash Game" showcases the album's thematic focus on media manipulation and societal control. Vanderhoof has described "Dead To Rights" as a return to the band's roots — the raw, gritty heavy metal that defined classics like "The Dark" and "Blessing In Disguise" — while also pushing into new creative territory made possible by the fresh chemistry of the new lineup.
The addition of David Ellefson, one of thrash metal's most recognizable bassists from his decades with MEGADETH, has added a new dimension to METAL CHURCH's sound. His aggressive, melodic bass lines complement Vanderhoof's signature riffing style in ways that fans have already noticed on the pre-release singles. Ken Mary, meanwhile, brings the thunderous precision that made him a sought-after drummer throughout the '80s and '90s metal scene.
METAL CHURCH's journey has been marked by tragedy and reinvention — from the death of original vocalist David Wayne to the passing of Mike Howe in 2021 — but the band has consistently delivered quality heavy metal through it all. "Dead To Rights" represents the latest chapter in that resilient legacy, and early indications suggest it may be one of their strongest efforts in years.