METAL CHURCH announces 13th studio album, 'Dead To Rights'
Album features former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson
09-02-2026
West Coast thrash metal legends METAL CHURCH return with their 13th studio album, “Dead To Rights”, scheduled for release on April 10 via Rat Pak Records. The album marks the first release from the band’s latest lineup, featuring founding guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof alongside longtime guitarist Rick Van Zandt, joined by former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson, powerhouse drummer Ken Mary, and dynamic new vocalist Brian Allen.
From the aggressive opening assault of “Brainwash Game” to the riff-driven finale “My Wrath”, METAL CHURCH prove they still possess the same relentless drive that has earned them fans for over four decades. Tracks such as “Deep Cover Shakedown”, “The Show” and “Wasted Time” deliver the signature sound the band has long been known for.
The album’s first single, “F.A.F.O.”, was released last November, with its accompanying video surpassing 400,000 views to date.
“Dead To Rights” was produced by Kurdt Vanderhoof and mixed and mastered by Chris “Zeuss” Harris at Planet Z.
“This new album is very special to me for one reason: the band was over, and I honestly didn’t see it being resurrected. But somehow, it brought itself back to life — again!” exclaims Vanderhoof. “I’m incredibly proud of these new songs; they hit hard. Brian Allen brings the classic METAL CHURCH sound to the vocals, and adding a rhythm section with musicians of the caliber of Dave Ellefson and Ken Mary makes this a force to be reckoned with. If you enjoy classic METAL CHURCH, you’re going to love this record.”
The track listing for “Dead To Rights” is:
01. Brainwash Game
02. F.A.F.O.
03. Dead To Rights
04. Deep Cover Shakedown
05. Feet To The Fire
06. The Show
07. Heaven Knows (Slip Away)
08. No Memory
09. Wasted Time
10. My Wrath
Earlier this year Former METAL CHURCH drummer Stet Howland says that he is “100%” in agreement with the band’s former singer Marc Lopes after the vocalist described METAL CHURCH as “a shit show” and blasted the group’s founding guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof over the way METAL CHURCH‘s recent lineup changes were handled.
Stet, an in-demand metal drummer who has also pounded the skins for W.A.S.P., BLACKFOOT and Lita Ford, briefly addressed his eight-year stint with METAL CHURCH in a social media post, Howland wrote in part : “I have to release a statement regarding the METAL CHURCH situation. I know it’s overdue, I’ve just been too busy with positivity and making money to deal with negativity & drama. But after seeing recent (METAL CHURCH) interviews, Marc‘s statement, and Kurdt‘s response. There’s clearly MANY things that need to be said. But in short, Marc was 100% accurate. Though he barely shared the tip of the iceberg of the bullshit, and he was much more kind than I’m going to be. There’s truths that need to be told and facts that need to be shared. I’ll be as kind as I can, but I’ll be dissecting and explaining a shitshow. Hang tight, you’ll see it right here very soon.”
Former METAL CHURCH drummer Stet Howland says that he is “100%” in agreement with the band’s former singer Marc Lopes after the vocalist described METAL CHURCH as “a shit show” and blasted the group’s founding guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof over the way METAL CHURCH‘s recent lineup changes were handled.
Stet, an in-demand metal drummer who has also pounded the skins for W.A.S.P., BLACKFOOT and Lita Ford, briefly addressed his eight-year stint with METAL CHURCH in a social media post, Howland wrote in part : “I have to release a statement regarding the METAL CHURCH situation. I know it’s overdue, I’ve just been too busy with positivity and making money to deal with negativity & drama. But after seeing recent (METAL CHURCH) interviews, Marc‘s statement, and Kurdt‘s response. There’s clearly MANY things that need to be said. But in short, Marc was 100% accurate. Though he barely shared the tip of the iceberg of the bullshit, and he was much more kind than I’m going to be. There’s truths that need to be told and facts that need to be shared. I’ll be as kind as I can, but I’ll be dissecting and explaining a shitshow. Hang tight, you’ll see it right here very soon.”
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