The 11th studio long-player from the veteran hard rockers, the aptly, though rather lazily, named {|XI|} marks the return of vocalist {|Mike Howe|} to the {|Metal Church|} fold -- {|Ronny Munroe|} left the group in 2014 to pursue other interests. Hea... Read more

The 11th studio long-player from the veteran hard rockers, the aptly, though rather lazily, named {|XI|} marks the return of vocalist {|Mike Howe|} to the {|Metal Church|} fold -- {|Ronny Munroe|} left the group in 2014 to pursue other interests. Hearing {|Howe|}'s sinister and instantly recognizable banshee wail reunited with showrunner/guitarist {|Kurdt Vanderhoof|}'s taut, melodic riffing is a thrill, especially for longtime fans. Standout cuts like Needle and Suture, Reset, and the monolithic No Tomorrow, the latter of which might be the best thing the band's recorded in over a decade, provide a 21st century link to {|Howe|}-fronted {|Metal Church|} faves like {|Human Factor|}, {|Blessing in Disguise|}, and {|Hanging in the Balance|}. As has been the case on previous late-period outings, there's some filler to be waded through, but {|XI|} feels a bit more lived-in and immediate than 2013's so-so {|Generation Nothing|}. With 11 albums under their belt, {|Metal Church|} seem to have finally found the sweet spot between the thrash-kissed days of yore and the more traditional yet no less meaty metal stylings of their 21st century incarnation. ~ James Christopher Monger Less