NW Metalworx Books has set a November 2023 tentative launch date for “Past The Black: The Story Of Metallic Church”, a brand new ebook by creator James R. Seashore and co-author and archivist Brian L. Naron. Culled from in depth analysis, interviews with each previous and present METAL CHURCH bandmembers, crew members, producers, managers, pals, friends and others, it consists of quite a few uncommon photos and images, in depth live performance listings, discography and a model new foreword by former GRIM REAPER guitarist and good friend Nick Bowcott.

Synopsis: “In 1983, former LEWD guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof joined forces with vocalist David Wayne, guitarist Craig Wells, bassist Duke Erickson, and drummer Kirk Arrington, to kind one of many heaviest bands to ever come out of the Pacific Northwest. Taking the identify from his early makes an attempt to assemble a band down in San Francisco that fused the aggression of punk rock, with the precision of heavy steel music, Vanderhoof assembled a powerhouse lineup again in Washington state. They rapidly garnered consideration for demos recorded that summer time, reside performances and a breakout indie album the next 12 months, and landed a significant label deal and went on to worldwide recognition.

“40 years later, METAL CHURCH lives on. Surviving numerous lineup modifications, a brief breakup, the ups and downs and modifications of the music scene, and the tragic losses of two of their iconic lead singers, they proceed to tour and make nice albums beneath the guiding hand and path of founding riff-master Vanderhoof. With a brand new singer and a brand new album in 2023, METAL CHURCH is poised to proceed their legacy as an influential and well-respected heavy steel band. That is their story…”

For extra data, go to NW Metalworx Books.

METAL CHURCH made its reside debut with the band’s new vocalist Marc Lopes (ROSS THE BOSS, LET US PREY) on June 3 on the Legions Of Metallic pageant at Reggies in Chicago, Illinois.

Lopes joined METAL CHURCH in the summertime of 2022 because the substitute for Mike Howe, who tragically handed away in July of 2021. The band’s present lineup is rounded out by guitarist Rick Van Zandt, bassist Steve Unger and drummer Stet Howland.

Lopes‘s first studio album with METAL CHURCH, “Congregation Of Annihilation”, got here out on Might 26 through Rat Pak Information (America) and Reaper Leisure (Europe). The LP was produced by Vanderhoof.

Howe was discovered useless at his house in Eureka, California in July 2021. In response to TMZ, Howe‘s official reason for loss of life was decided to be asphyxia as a consequence of hanging. A spokesperson for the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Dept. advised the location authorities are calling it a suicide. He was solely 55 years previous.

In response to police, medicine and alcohol aren’t believed to be components within the loss of life and no managed substances or paraphernalia have been positioned on the scene.

Howe, who fronted METAL CHURCH from 1988 till 1994, formally rejoined the band in April 2015.

Howe will not be the primary singer of METAL CHURCH to die. David Wayne handed away in Might 2005 from problems following a automobile crash. He was 47 years previous.

Wayne sang on METAL CHURCH‘s first two basic choices (1984’s “Metallic Church” and 1986’s “The Darkish”) earlier than leaving the group and being changed by Howe.