Customer Reviews

Blessing in Disguise

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Metal Church was one of the most intelligent and underrated metal bands of the 1980s/early 1990s. The music on Blessing in Disguise is complex with scorching guitars and thought-provoking lyrics. The title is very appropriate as in many of the tracks the band explores the dark sides of people and things thought to be a benefit to society. The single "Fake Healer" is about a doctor more interested in making money than saving lives "You sickly and decrepit ones keep my yacht safe on the pier." "Rest in Pieces (April 15, 1912)" is, of course, about the "unsinkable" Titanic. This track was released only about three years after Dr. Robert Ballard discovered the elusive ship. The lyrics are historically accurate: "Sinking faster, every light ablaze, Machinery, engines crashing to the bow, Arching vertical, stern points to the sky, the great ship fractures." "Cannot Tell a Lie" is a cynical view of politicians with some anti-Reagan sentiment: "No trades for arms for hostages no star wars s*** for me." Almost every track here is an epic of well over 5 minutes. The best tracks are the 7:21 "Badlands" and the 9:31 "Anthem to the Estranged." Both are beautiful tracks. The former has an incredibly catchy chorus (but in no way commercial) and the latter is one of the best metal tracks I've ever heard. Mike Howe's vocals are off the Richter. He is an amazing singer. The musicianship here is stellar. Any fan of metal with substance should check out Metal Church. Blessing in Disguise was their best album followed by 1991's Human Factor.

I first bought the cassette of Metal Church's "Blessing in Disguise" in 1990 when I was in Jr. High. A neigborhood bully beat me up & stole it. Just last month, I bought the album again on CD & I am still amazed at its timelessness. From the first to last song, "Blessing in Disguise" is a great sample of what heavy metal should be. In my personal collection of over 400 metal/rock CD's, I rank it as a standard by which to judge others.

The lyrical content is still serious like Metal Church's previous efforts, but it's a little more realistic (no more "Merciless Onslaught", "Gods of Wrath", or "Battallions"). Songs center mostly around social and historical issues like "Fake Healer", "Rest in Pieces (April 15, 1912)", and "Anthem to the Estranged".

Also, Mike Howe more than adequately replaces David Wayne. As a matter of fact, I prefer Howe's melodic touches to Wayne's abraisive Accept-like screeches.

I love the arena-like sound that Terry Date gave the album (similar to Bob Rock's work on The Cult's "Sonic Temple"). One can hear its effects in the echoes of Howe's voice and Kirk Arington's doom-booming drums.

My favorite tracks are "Rest in Pieces", "Badlands", the instrumental "It's a Secret", & the closer "The Powers that Be" - a really positive ending to the album.

The only real drawback is that the album cover is a bit bland and unoriginal, but in this case, definitely don't judge an album by its cover.

This is a "must-have" for any serious metal collector.

This is by far more superior than even their 2nd best(Self-Titled), however I really wish the mastering process was better. The production was excellent as it was done by veteran Terry Date(Overkill; Pantera)who established himself as a powerhouse producer. But the sonic levels in the mastering could be brought up a few notches to at least match the sound quality of their debut. This being considered their best album, one has to wonder how come it took David Wayne & Kurdt Vanderhoof to leave this band to make such a great album? Mike Howe is my favorite MC vocalist and it's a damn shame he didn't return for "Weight of the World"

That's all as there are alot of other reviews discussing the lyrical content and length of songs, so I won't bore you with those details.

I gave it 4 stars because of the weak mastering process

Everyone seems to adore Metal Churches first albums and put the rest down. Well I am here to set the record straight. This is not only Metal Churches best album it is also one of the best Thrash/Speed albums ever released. It starts out with "Fake Healer", the vocals are just outstanding, I promise you, one listen to this track and you will be blown away. To me this album sounds like Iron Maiden on speed. The vocals are high, just like Bruce Dickinsons, and the melodies of the guitars are something Maiden would do if they played Thrash. "Anthem to the Estranged" is a long song, that starts out acoustically and then sheds its skin to become a huge loud rocker. Its a beautifull song. Then there is the song that got me into this album "Badlands" The video is killer and the whole theme is just so damn cool. "I know these are the badlands, somehow Ill find my way"...The last song is "Powers that be", this track shows Metal Church doing what they do best..leaving you with a ear damage of how heavy it is..Get this album if you consider yourself a Metalhead.

The Trash Metal band Metal Church was never recognized as largely as bands like Anthrax and Megadeth, but they were the best of the bunch. "Blessing in Disguise" is a metal masterpiece.

The album starts out incredibly heavy with "Fake Healer", one of the best songs EVER. The musicianship is superb, and rocks as hard as anything ever written.

"Anthem To The Estranged" is a powerful ballad about the homeless that demonstrates the band's songwriting capabilities. It's nearly 10 minutes long, but you probably won't notice, since the song captivates from beginning to end.

Another great track is "Badlands", and shows the variety Metal Church brought to Thrash Metal.

This album should be a must have for any Metal fan. It's uncomprimising, loud and heavy.

The more eighties metal fans I meet all of them cite this album as one of the best of the period and a personal favorite. Why then, were Metal Church not huge? Simply put this album has everything. Beautiful arpeggiated ballads (Anthem To The Estranged), crunching riffs (Fake Healer), and outstanding vocals (Badlands, Of Unsound Mind) matched by a powerful rhythym section led by drummer Kirk Arrington and bassist Duke Erickson.

With vocalist Mike Howe and guitarist John Marshall(former Metallica Roadie) making their debut no fan knew what to expect. The album turned out to be one of their best. The aggressive, thrashy feel of the first two albums is replaced with a more mature and melodic effort with harmonized guitars and vocals as well as insightful lyrics. "Anthem To The Estranged" is a mournful acknowledgment of the homeless, while "Fake Healer" remorsely pounds riffs and attacks corruption in the medical field. "Badlands" was frequently aired on MTV Headbangers' Ball and at the time was the most sonically varied and experimental Metal Church song to date. Consider it their "Stairway To Heaven" showcasing everything the band was about.

It is hard to find any fault with this album but if I had to pick a weak track I would have to say it is "Rest In Pieces" a recap of the Titanic disaster and a little to atonal for my tastes. Otherwise this is a mandatory album for any respectable metal fan.

When I bought this cassette back in 1989 I really had no idea what to expect. At the time I was grounded and had been dragged to the local K-Mart by my parents and was in a bit of a foul temperment. Fortunately, this tape caught my eye and I spent the next six weeks of my sentence being mesmerized by the incredible compositions contained herein. Most of my background in music at this point was glam or hair metal, although I had recently began to listen to heavier music like Megadeth and Anthrax. When I began listening to Blessing in Disguise I was amazed at the power, technicality, speed, structures, and the ability of the band to intertwine catchy hooks and melodies with the intricate song arrangements. Of course, most of this incredible music was created by the genius of Kurt Vanderhoof. For anyone not familiar with Mr. Vanderhoof, you should definitely check out his work. He is one of the best composers around when it comes to the genre of metal music. He also is a great composer of classic rock oriented music as well. However, I digress, from the first track the listener is taken in by the brilliance of this work. 'Fake Healer' is a commentary on corruption in the medical field but could pertain to anyone or any profession in which one sells his soul for material gain at the expense of his fellow man. The music is flawless, vocals are strong, and the chorus sticks with you for days. "I will keep you all alive - I'm a Healer!"
The third song is a nod to Edgar Allen Poe with a treatment on the story, Tell Tale Heart. A scorching song with fast guitars, break-neck riffing in the chorus, and great soaring vocals. Once again a stunning song. 'The Spell Can't Be Broken' has one of the coolest riffs on the album. I just love the descending riff at the intro which is also under the chorus. Great stuff! This song makes great mosh pitting! 'Anthem to the Estranged' is quite possibly one of the greatest metal songs ever written. It shows MC's ability to deliver a terrific ballad while injecting the power chord riffage at the right time to really build the epic tension in the song. The lyrics are thought provoking and really make the listener take an introspective look at oneself. The guitar solo in this song is blistering and tasteful. Hell, the whole song is so damn good, even 20 years later I'm still in awe, just go buy the damn disc, and hear it yourself. 'Badlands' is another kick-ass song with clean guitar in the verse and a sweet chorus with great lyrics. 'Cannot Tell a Lie' is a cynical look at politicians and the way they creatively tell the "truth". This song did not initially grab me, but after a few listens I found it to be just as good as the rest. Again, some great guitar riffs here with some pretty complicated and fast picking.
'The Powers That Be' is another awesome song with great melodies, vocals, and just an all around great perfomance by the band. Oh yeah, the band...just f'ing amazing. Duke Erickson is one of the best bass players of his day, Kirk Arrington was probably in the top 3 drummers of his time, possibly only out-distanced by Charlie Benante or Richard Christy. Just listen to the drums on the 2nd song inspired by the wreck of the Titanic. The opening drum track is indeed, Titanic! Mike Howe's vocals are quite excellent, great range, good growl, and nice highs. This guy should still be singing. The rhythm guitars are as good as any around. The lead guitar playing is not always fantastic, but always competent and complimentary to the entire piece. Anyway, I'm getting carried away with this review, all you really need to know is: Go Buy this CD! It freakin' Rawks!!!!!!!!! I worship at the Metal Church, Yes, yes Indeed!!!

My introduction to this band came from the video clip to the track Badlands. A few laughable metal cliches (is that a plastic snake vocalist Mike Howe is wearing around his wrist), but all up a very very tasty paeon to not only life on the road but also a very powerful expression of defiance and triumph. Fine, fine work in the songwriting department and everything about it just screamed out that this was a band playing uncompromising metal. I mean check out the guitar solo - very little melody, squeeling and swooping all over the place yet totally compatible with the music around it. Everything about the song declared that this was a band to be reckoned with.

By the time the punter gets to process the album in it's entirety it becomes possible to figure out why this band didn't quite crack the big time despite sallying forth with a number of releases over the years. The real problems with this album lie in a few main areas. Firstly the tracks are overlong - perhaps influenced by the success of Metallicas Master of Puppets opus. Only one track is concise enough to fit under four minutes and four of the nine tracks reach over the six minute mark. Now I'm not saying that's always a bad thing, but here the tracks don't have the relentless riff changes of the aforementioned Metallica album, making some of the tracks a bit of a slog. Too many of the tracks here don't have that indefinable X factor spark.

Other issues with this album are the fact that the traditional metal fare here may be a touch bland for some tastes, especially after the deluge of metal that has passed by in the years since this albums release. Having said that traditional metal will always have it's devotees and for good reason. And certainly on this album Metal Church have put together a finely played platter. In front of the strong musical attack, both in terms of guitars and rhythm section, Mike Howe is able to belt out evocatively on a range of issues, discussing issues such as mental illness, religion and war. Fertile ground indeed for many a metal band and areas the band address with aplomb.

Production is decidedly late 80's trad metal. Which to my ears is just fine but younger metal fans may be put off a touch by this. However fans of Judas Priest, late 80's Metallica and the Bay Area thrash scene would do well to check this out. I can't give it more than a 3.5 stars as it does drone on a bit and some of the tracks are overlong but all up this is an album that stands up pretty well decades on. The band deserved to leave more of a footprint on the heavy metal world than they did. And if you don't want to take the plunge and commit to buying a whole album of late 80's trad metal then do yourself a favour and LEGALLY download the best track here - that being Badlands, a full 7.21 minutes of metal meltdown. And if that floats your boat try Of Unsound Mind.

I had this on tape for too many years. It is nice to finally get it on Disc. If you never heard this album, then you really need to get it. This is the best of it's time. You won't be disappointed.

Not sure what else to say, amazing thrash album, LISTEN TO IT!!