METAL CHURCH are building toward the release of a second single from their upcoming album "Dead To Rights," due April 10 via Rat Pak Records, with founding guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof and new bassist David Ellefson generating buzz through media appearances and social media teasers that hint at the direction of the new material. The album marks a significant chapter in METAL CHURCH's storied history, featuring a substantially revamped lineup that has injected fresh energy into the veteran metal act.
Vanderhoof recently joined Ellefson on his podcast "The David Ellefson Show" to discuss the new material and the chemistry within the revamped lineup, which also includes new vocalist Brian Allen, drummer Ken Mary, and returning guitarist Rick Van Zandt. Ellefson, the former MEGADETH bassist who was dismissed from that band in 2021, described joining METAL CHURCH as "really great," praising Vanderhoof's songwriting and the band's collaborative dynamic. The pairing of Ellefson -- one of thrash metal's most recognizable and accomplished bassists -- with METAL CHURCH's classic power metal framework creates an intriguing sonic combination.
The upcoming single is expected to further showcase the aggressive, classic metal sound established by lead track "F.A.F.O.," which dropped alongside the lineup announcement in November 2025 and was received enthusiastically by fans and critics alike. The track demonstrated that METAL CHURCH's signature sound -- built on Vanderhoof's precise, riff-driven compositions and soaring vocal melodies -- remains firmly intact despite the significant personnel changes.
METAL CHURCH have endured a turbulent recent history, including the tragic passing of vocalist Mike Howe in 2021, which left the band's future deeply uncertain for years. Vanderhoof's decision to continue METAL CHURCH with a new lineup honors Howe's legacy while charting a path forward for a band with too much creative life remaining to simply call it quits. The inclusion of Ellefson and Allen represents not just a new chapter but a potential creative renaissance for a band that has been a pillar of American heavy metal since their self-titled debut in 1984. Tour announcements for 2026 are anticipated in the coming weeks, with the band expected to road-test the new material extensively.