Elektra Records - 1986
10/10
With their first record, the Bay Area outfit Metal Church established themselves as an act heavily rooted in speed metal that tampered both with the emerging power and thrash metal distinctions, which would come to define their career. In a time when the characteristics of what makes thrash metal different from speed metal were still being worked out, I would argue that the band's sophomore game-changer The Dark played a bigger role in this than they'd receive credit for. If Slayer was showing us just how fast this could be taken in 1986, Metallica were reminding us that strong thrash bangers didn't have to be fast. Metal Church would reaffirm the latter's role, as the meanest and grittiest thrash numbers came in the form of steady tracks on album number two.
As we had seen from the self-titled debut, David Wayne and co. clearly had an ear for sharp hooks and concise vocals under a more accessible veneer. Here they follow suit but evolve by simply adding a harsher, punk-like attitude and a refreshing production that boosts the extra energy to a new high. While there's certainly some charm in the raw nature of the first record, it was now time to showcase everyone's abilities. Wayne's voice now found a perfect balance between standout clarity and tough snarl, the Wells / Vanderhoof combo could now spit compelling riff and lead combos that don't just hook but also stick, and Arrington's drum kicks now felt explosive. Erickson's bass is admittedly felt more than heard, but is that a bad thing?
Again, I must stress that this album's songwriting is elevated by its balance in steadier rhythms in lieu of constant speed. This is realized wonderfully in the form of "Start The Fire," my favorite song the band has ever crafted. Simple power-stance riffs leading us into compelling percussion, topped with a combo of tough attitudes and sharp falsettos morph into a staple gang-chant chorus. More well known is the title track's invoking of fear with the same buildup, emphasizing tighter poetic drive and higher vocals, while "Burial At Sea" takes an approach bordering epic territory with its advanced layering. I almost wish the latter was the album's closer, as it's such a perfect send-off, but "Western Alliance" is still an absolutely swift and sharp banger.
Speaking of swift bangers, for every steady march full of angsty weight, The Dark gives us a song that emphasizes speed to maintain variety in the palette. Opener "Ton Of Bricks" is all anybody could ask for with a thrash opener, giving us some signature drum blasts over burning, simplistic rhythms paired with the meanest of vocals. "Line Of Death" channels this boiling energy towards the harsh reality that is war, showcasing the neatest bridge on the album with some intense picking, and "Over My Dead Body" sneaks in some of the tightest solos between verses (more cowbell!). Even "Psycho," while often overlooked, boasts some of the best start/stop drive on the whole disc.
Yet, the most interesting songs might be the two that break the norm for each set of rules. "Watch The Children Pray" falls into ballad territory with its soft acoustics and beautiful singing, yet it manages to fit in just fine with a slow ascent into the same energy that the calmer thrash tunes flex. Similarly, "Method To Your Madness" is a speed metal oriented one that somehow feels welcoming instead of threatening, perhaps due to its warmer tones and lack of grit. Regardless, both songs fit the general aesthetic of fear, war, and street-fight anthems in a way that's truly unmatched.
Metal Church would move on from here in various directions toeing that speed/power/thrash line to differing degrees depending on vocalist and inspiration, but The Dark easily kicks out the thrash attitude like no other. The faster songs dealt in their shtick with more punk attitude to elevate them, and the slower ones crafted a weighty force that I truly believe helped them in being genre defining. There's not a single moment of this that I'd call filler, and revisiting it is one of the best ways to amp up my energy. If you only ever listen to one Metal Church record, make it this one.
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