Find me a more reliable metal band that existed during the late 80's and early 90's than "Metal Church" and the odds are you can't. Continually in the shadows of the Metallicas and Slayers of the day, their greatest fault could only have been originating outside the once celebrated Northern California scene.

Intriguing still, they made an unprecedented internal transition between their two biggest releases, "The Dark" and "Blessing In Disguise," and not only did they not miss a beat, they gained even further popularity. "Masterpeace" represents an 80% return of the original lineup, noteworthy for vocalist David Wayne's appearance, a decision he probably should never have had to make in the first place.

And no, the world probably won't miss Reverend! With "Masterpeace," "Metal Church" continues where the vastly underrated, if not totally unrecognized, "Hanging In The Balance" left off. It's not to be held in such high esteem as to credit it as an actual "masterpiece," but all told it falls right in line with the rest of their catalog, a solid effort that should they decide to do so, can likely be improved upon next time.

First they need to loosen the reigns on the production. Expect to get the full barrage of "Metal Church" elements firmly grounded in the likes of "Sleeps With Thunder" "Fall Down," "Faster Than Life" and "All Your Sorrows." All are fist-clenching crunchers with an ostensible purpose. With the exception of songs two and five, which sound like Saxon, we're generally thrown in the midst of diverse surroundings that draw on the traditional "Metal Church," even finding Wayne probably not in top form, though still at home during a less turbulent sequential break for "Kiss For The Dead" and "They Signed In Blood." Vanderhoof and Marshall load up the six-string artillery and fire methodically toward the last line of defense that indicates they might actually have played together on more than one album. Aerosmith's "Toys In The Attic" was unnecessary, though decent, but effectively bridges a non-existent gap between "They Signed In Blood" and "Sand Kings" to close this latest chapter that, once the dust settles, suggests there will be no peace 'til long after this one's put to rest.