METAL CHURCH

A new encyclical has arrived via the humming wires of the musical telegraph from the Archbishop of the Iron Church, Kurdt Vanderhoof. I must confess, "The Weight Of The World" left me with mixed feelings. On one hand, it's old-school, roaring and screaming heavy metal, proudly waving the tattered banner of NWOBHM under fire from advancing power metal brigades. Songs range from sprawling epics ("Sunless Sky," "Weight Of The World") to classic warhorses ("Leave Them Behind," "Hero's Soul"), with ballads not forgotten either ("Time Will Tell"). On the other hand, the disc is diluted with a considerable amount of filler. The superb assault launched on the opening tracks hopelessly fizzles out on the 9-minute "Madman's Soul." The proud and indomitable spirit will still flash its godlike stature on "Cradle To Grave," but the strained lethargy of "Wings Of Tomorrow" kills even that attempt to approach the genre's classic benchmarks. The vocals are rather grey -- Ronnie Munroe is a newcomer to METAL CHURCH, and he clearly hasn't come to grips with the band's stellar status. A faceless frontman means a faceless band. The other musicians work cohesively and powerfully, but again -- well-worn cliches jut out like sharp edges from the globe depicted on the cover. And if we're making comparisons, measuring this "globe" against Udo Dirkschneider's "Thunderball," the latter turns out considerably more interesting and fresh. In sum, nothing more than a solid effort in the well-rutted lane of classic metal. He who doesn't risk... well, you know the rest.