Photo Credit: Rick Moyer
Heavy metal institution Metal Church has roared back to life with a revitalized lineup and their most ferocious new material in years. The band drops their explosive new single “F.A.F.O.” today, marking the first taste of an upcoming full-length album slated for release in 2026 via Rat Pak Records.
The reimagined Metal Church lineup brings together an all-star cast of metal heavyweights: founding guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof, longtime axeman Rick Van Zandt, bass legend David Ellefson (Megadeth), powerhouse drummer Ken Mary (Alice Cooper, Fifth Angel), and dynamic new vocalist Brian Allen.
Following a recent Australian tour, Metal Church stood at a crossroads. An unexpected creative surge reignited Vanderhoof’s passion, leading him to assemble this powerhouse roster. Their immediate chemistry in the studio birthed “F.A.F.O.” – a blistering thrasher that captured lightning in a bottle and propelled the band into full album mode.
“After 45 years, the fact that we have new music coming in 2025 feels like a miracle,” explains Vanderhoof. “There was a time when I honestly didn’t think Metal Church would continue, but we’re back—and this lineup is firing on all cylinders. ‘F.A.F.O.’ is an aggressive thrasher, and I think the fans are really going to dig it.”
Produced by Vanderhoof and mixed/mastered by metal production maestro Zeuss (Hatebreed, Rob Zombie, Overkill) at Planet Z, “F.A.F.O.” delivers the precision, power, and uncompromising intensity that has defined Metal Church for over four decades.
Watch the official video for “F.A.F.O.” here: https://youtu.be/X23RO0LjUk8?si=PWbjO73nhoVP6FjU
Metal Church has already locked in three major European festival appearances for summer 2026, with extensive touring plans to be announced:
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 – Brutal Assault Festival (Josefov, Czech Republic)
Saturday, August 8, 2026 – Alcatraz Festival (Kortrijk, Belgium)
Sunday, August 9, 2026 – Keep It True Festival (Geiselwind, Germany)
Tour dates and ticket information: www.metalchurchofficial.com
A LEGACY FORGED IN METAL
Emerging from the incendiary West Coast thrash scene of the early ’80s, Metal Church established themselves as one of heavy metal’s most musically sophisticated acts. Their Elektra Records releases – the iconic self-titled debut and its equally revered follow-up The Dark – became essential metal canon, leading to tours alongside Metallica during the genre’s explosive rise.
Through lineup changes and industry shifts, Metal Church remained uncompromising. Their late ’80s/early ’90s output with vocalist Mike Howe – including Blessing in Disguise and The Human Factor – tackled weighty themes while peers chased commercial trends. The band’s 2016 reunion album XI debuted at #57 on the Billboard Top 200, proving their relevance, followed by 2018’s equally successful Damned If You Do.
Now, with this powerhouse new formation, Metal Church enters their next chapter with the same fire that ignited their legendary career over 40 years ago.
More information coming soon on the 2026 album release.
For more information:
www.metalchurchofficial.com
Label:
Rat Pak Records
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