Well, friends, it hasn’t been the best month. I’m sure we were all hoping we were on the way out of this pandemic, but the delta variant is sending things in the absolute wrong direction. I realize vaccination is a touchy subject, but for those who are able to, yet have resisted getting the vaccine, I offer this: If you ever want life to get back to normal, not just for you, but for the elderly, the infirm, the immunocompromised and other high-risk groups of people, I’d suggest getting vaccinated, not only because it might save your life, but because it might keep you out of the hospital, so they can save someone else’s life. Furthermore, if they have to cancel Maryland Deathfest again next year, I will never forgive you motherfuckers.
Continuing with the bad news, we lost some prominent figures in the metal world in recent weeks. Metal Church’s singer Mike Howe tragically committed suicide at age 55, and Slipknot’s Joey Jordison died of as-yet unrevealed causes at age 46. We’re pretty big Metal Church fans here at Last Rites, and the fact that what had been such a triumphant comeback for both Howe and Metal Church has been cut short hits us particularly hard. Admittedly, there aren’t too many Slipknot fans on the staff, but I think even the crustiest of old-school pricks among us can admit that Slipknot has likely introduced thousands of young folks to heavy music, and Joey Jordison played a big role in that, not only as an absolute beast behind the drum kit, but as one of the band’s primary songwriters. Both men have gone too soon. May they rest in peace.
This is outside of the metal realm, but the death that honestly hit me the hardest this past month was Dusty Hill of ZZ Top, because I’ve been a ZZ Top fan longer than I’ve been a metal fan. While by modern standards I don’t think most people would consider ZZ Top heavy, the band always had a beefy and powerful sound, especially for a trio, and they had a host of undeniably great riffs. They were an important stepping stone on my path to metal fandom, and for that I owe Mr. Hill a great debt.
Finally, let’s get to what we’ve been listening to lately. Not a lot of the same stuff, as it turns out. We have a couple ZZ Top albums on playlists for obvious reasons, and a few Iron Maiden albums, as folks are no-doubt gearing up for the imminent release of SenJutsu. Other than that, though, there’s no real crossover on playlists, so we don’t have an album of the month this time around. In light of that fact let’s bestow the honor upon one of Mike Howe’s finest efforts, Metal Church’s 1989 album, Blessing in Disguise. Have a taste below.
That’ll do for this month. Be sure to have a listen to the staff-curated Spotify playlist below, and share your own playlist in the comments. While you’re at it, give us your favorite Howe-era Metal Church tune, if you have one. Stay safe out there, friends.
- Andrew Edmunds
The Kill – Make ‘Em Suffer
Trauma – Scratch And Scream
Exil – Warning
Total Fury – 13 Songs
David Lee Roth – Eat ‘Em And Smile
Ratt – Invasion Of Your Privacy - Danhammer Obstkrieg
Sailcloth – Woodcut
Graham Haynes & Submerged – Echolocation
Ænigmatum – Deconsecrate
Wharflurch – Psychedelic Realms Ov Hell
Daniel Herskedal – Harbour
Thergothon – Stream from the Heavens - Zach Duvall
Melechesh – Enki
Jeff Buckley – Grace
Bjork – Post
Metal Church – Blessing in Disguise
Iron Maiden – all re-Bruce albums - Dave Pirtle
ZZ Top – Eliminator
Slipknot – Iowa
Thor – Alliance
Dee Snider – Leave a Scar
Prong – Rude Awakening
Antti Martikainen – Carmina Gloria - Ryan Tysinger
Antediluvian – The Divine Punishment
Dungeon Serpent – World of Sorrows
Korpituli – The Ancient Spells of the Past
Agressor – Towards Beyond
Morta Skuld – For All Eternity
Trenches – Trenches II - Captain
Sigil – Nether
Queensrÿche – Empire
Tyrann – Djävulens Musik
Motorpsycho – Kingdom of Oblivion
Fluisteraars – Gegrepen door de geest der Zielsontluiking
Tangents – Timeslips & Chimeras - Lone Watie
Pharaoh – The Powers That Be
Intestinal Hex – The Exalted Chambers of Abhorrence
Hammers of Misfortune – The Bastard
Big Big Train – Common Ground
Yes – Relayer
Kool & the Gang – Wild and Peaceful - Jeremy Morse
Jason Becker – Perpetual Burn
Sanctuary – Refuge Denied
Crowbar – Odd Fellows Rest
Steel Bearing Hand – Slay in Hell
Slayer – Reign in Blood
ZZ Top – Tres Hombres - Spencer Hotz
Iron Maiden – Brave New World
Wolves in the Throne Room – Two Hunters
Instant Boner – High Place Phenomenon
Nephilim Grinder – Spiritual Torment
Giant Sky – Giant Sky
Krigsgrav – The Sundering
Metallica – Ride the Lightning
Kate Bush – Hounds of Love
GAS – Königsforst
Boards of Canada – Tomorrow’s Harvest
Motörhead – Orgasmatron
Disfear – Live the Storm
Razor – Shotgun Justice
Kollapse – Sult
Pupil Slicer – Mirrors
Hellknife – Dusk of Doom
Denzel Curry – TA13OO
Dark Tranquillity – Damage Done
Eldingar – Maenads
Praise The Plague – The Obsidian Gate
Felled – The Intimate Earth
Savatage – Hollywood Babylon (Live 1990)
Metal Church – The Human Factor
Judas Priest – Priest…Live!
Paradise Lost – One Second
Blind Guardian – Nightfall in Middle-Earth / Somewhere Far Beyond
Crescent Shield – The Stars of Never Seen
Rhapsody – Dawn of Victory
Symphony X – The Odyssey
Pharaoh – The Powers That Be
Slipknot – S/T
ZZ Top – Tres Hombres / Eliminator
Iced Earth – Burnt Offerings
Slipknot’s first album came out when I was in high school, and I remember not liking it at the time – I was starting to get bored of nu metal and the album felt like more of the same. Listening to it now, I feel I misunderstood the album back then.
Just chiming in about Mike Howe.
Gotta say that Hanging In the Balance (cover art be damned) is such a great and underrated record.
Many favorites of the Howe era, but I love Conductor. Not to mention the re-recording is killer as well.
Not many bands have 2 key vocalist eras that succeed, and I think Metal Church did this without dividing the fan base very well. Wayne is a huge favorite of mine as well and it sucks that they are both gone.
I am very, VERY, glad I went to the last few Metal Church shows locally with Howe.