West coast metal veterans METAL CHURCH will release their 12th full length studio album Damned If You Do via Nuclear Blast Records on December 7th 2018 (Rat Pak Records/America & King Records/Japan). The latest release is the follow-up to their highly successful 2016 album XI, which saw the return of legendary front man Mike Howe. Damned If You Do is a cross between the band’s iconic Blessing In Disguise and The Human Factor. This new offering features ten fully-charged, classic-metal influenced songs showcasing the sound that has garnered the band a solid fan base for over 3 decades.
Hot on the heels of the aforementioned announcement, METAL CHURCH have released the first music video for the title track ‘Damned If You Do’. The song is quintessential METAL CHURCH and showcases the sound that has garnered the band fans all around the globe, with its driving guitar riffs, punishing drum beat and instantly recognizable vocals. The live performance video can be seen here:
Mike Howe comments: “I hope the fans enjoy this first video, it really sets the tone for the entire album. We are doing our best to keep metal alive METAL CHURCH style. Damned if we didn’t!”
Stet Howland adds, “From my first listen of the ‘Damned If You Do’ demo I was blown away. From Mike’s ‘hummm’ intro to Kurdt’s bad ass guitar riff to the infectious chorus, I was hooked! If I was any more excited people would have to call me ‘shit legs’. Hahaha.”
Pre-order Damned If You Do now, here: http://nblast.de/MetalChurchDIYD
Pre-order the album digitally to receive ‘Damned If You Do’ instantly: http://nblast.de/MetalChurchDIYDIT
Listen to ‘Damned If You Do’ in the NB Novelties Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/user/nuclearblastrecords/playlist/6aw9wiedFzzhJiI96DhNhw?si=i32Q7wtKTqm3zRkj6U8paA
Damned If You Do also features new drummer Stet Howland (ex-W.A.S.P./Lita Ford). Stet first arrived after the departure of long-time drummer Jeff Plate, but soon after joining the band he was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Miraculously his treatments for the aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma worked and he was able to begin recording the new album.
Speaking of the new album Stet Howland comments, “From the minute we started tracking this new CD, I had the feeling that it was going to be something special. I knew that I was going to do my best to deliver a top drum performance, not only because of the high standard set by past METAL CHURCH drummers, but also because this is my first CD release after being sick. I’m beyond happy with all aspects of this CD, great songs, great performances, great production, just an overall great CD! I love it!”
Damned If You Do is something truly unique and special. The songs are powerful, precise, and METAL CHURCH‘s musical vision is unified. From the haunting opener ‘Damned If You Do’ to the final hard-edged track ‘The War Electric,’ this new album is sure to resonate with fans from the band’s early years while garnering new ones. Songs like ‘By The Numbers,’ ‘Guillotine’ and ‘The Black Things’ are sure to become instant favorites!
Mike Howe comments: “I’m very excited about the new release. It all came together way better than I even imagined. It’s a great feeling to work really hard on a musical project pouring your heart into it and hoping it comes out as something you can be proud of in the end. I have been listening to it every day and loving it! I hope our fans do as well!”
Damned If You Do – Tracklisting:
01. Damned If You Do
02. The Black Things
03. By The Numbers
04. Revolution Underway
05. Guillotine
06. Rot Away
07. Into The Fold
08. Monkey Finger
09. Out Of Balance
10. The War Electric
