Review by Phil Rozier for MPM
Metal Church have been flying the flag for American heavy metal since the early ’80s. One of those rare bands who helped define the thrash/power hybrid before anyone had a name for it.
Across classic albums like Metal Church, The Dark, Blessing in Disguise, and Hanging in the Balance, they’ve weathered lineup changes, tragedy, reinvention, and revival. Their recent era, rebuilt around new vocalist Brian Allen who joined in 2025, has seen a renewed bite, with Congregation of Annihilation, 2023, marking a fierce return to form. “F.A.F.O” continues that momentum as they gear up for more touring, including UK dates that promise to be loud enough to rattle the Midlands.
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“F.A.F.O” erupts, a big, snarling entry of power chords and precision drumming that feels like the band kicking down your front door with a grin. Within seconds, you’re back in that familiar territory: the unmistakable DNA of ’80s thrash, the stuff Metal Church helped pioneer in the first place.
And yes, let’s address the four string elephant in the room: Dave Ellefson, yes, that Ellefson from Megadeth, anchors the low end with that unmistakable, piston tight bass tone. It’s a perfect fit, and it gives “F.A.F.O” a muscular backbone that never lets up.
Brian Allen is a force of nature here. His voice hits that high power, steel cutting pitch reminiscent of Rob Halford, but without the softer, operatic edges. Allen it appears doesn’t do “gentle.” He does volume. Exactly what this track demands.
The gang style chorus shouts from the rest of the band add a layer of high energy chaos, the kind that makes you want to shout along even if you don’t know the words yet.
This is thrash done by lifers who know exactly what they’re doing: Palm muted guitars. Double kick drumming that never stops pushing forward. Thunderous bass from Ellefson, locking everything into place. Vocals that slice through the mix.
And then there are the triplets. Those glorious, galloping drum bursts that feel like a nod to the band’s own legacy. They’re a personal highlight and one of the reasons the track feels so alive. Just shy of the three-minute mark, guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof (the band’s founder and riff-smith-in-chief) steps forward with a classically structured metal solo: melodic enough to hum, technical enough to impress, and short enough to keep the adrenaline pumping.
And then it’s gone. Under four minutes, in and out like a bar fight. It ends exactly as it begins. Loud, fast, and full of octane. No indulgence, no filler, no pretence. Sometimes you don’t want innovation. You want the real stuff, the classic flavour, the sound that shaped a generation of metalheads. “F.A.F.O” delivers exactly that.
Connect with Metal Church at:
Website: https://www.metalchurchofficial.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMetalChurch
