METAL CHURCH: The Dark LP. Check video + samples

Studio album by Metal Church
Released October 6, 1986
Recorded 1985-1986
Genre Thrash metal
Length 43:00
Label Elektra
Producer Mark Dodson

The Dark is the second full length album released by Metal Church. It was also the last album in which the line-up of Wayne, Vanderhoof, Arrington, Wells and Erickson performed, until 1999's Masterpeace album. This album talks of dark themes, such as assassination, death, struggle, and rituals (for example, the lyrics from "Line of Death" were most likely based on Libyan hostilities in the Gulf of Sidra). One song from this album, "Watch the Children Pray", turned into the band's first music video. This album is one of their most critically and commercially successful albums to date. The album was dedicated to the late Cliff Burton of Metallica fame.

No. Title Writer(s) Length
1. "Ton of Bricks" David Wayne, Kurdt Vanderhoof, Craig Wells, Duke Erickson, Kirk Arrington 3:00
2. "Start the Fire" Wayne, Vanderhoof, Wells 3:50
3. "Method to Your Madness" Wayne, Vanderhoof, Wells, Mark Dodson 4:52
4. "Watch the Children Pray" Wayne, Vanderhoof, Wells 5:57
5. "Over My Dead Body" Wayne, Vanderhoof, Wells 3:36
6. "The Dark" Wayne, Vanderhoof, Wells 4:11
7. "Psycho" Wayne, Vanderhoof, Wells, Arrington 3:32
8. "Line of Death" Wayne, Vanderhoof, Wells, Erickson, Arrington 4:42
9. "Burial at Sea" Wayne, Vanderhoof, Wells 4:58
10. "Western Alliance" Wayne, Vanderhoof, Wells 3:18

Personnel:
David Wayne - vocals
Kurdt Vanderhoof - guitar
Craig Wells - guitar
Duke Erickson - bass guitar
Kirk Arrington - drums

Metal Church mentioned a dedication to Metallica's late bassist Cliff Burton, as quoted in the album inner sleeve: "This album respectfully dedicated to Cliff Burton".
"Ton of Bricks" appears as the opening track in the Charlie Sheen movie No Man's Land.

Metal church-Watch The Children Pray by blackvicking

Metal Church's excellent debut had impressed critics and fans alike with its ferocious blend of classic metal and thrash. But the fact that they were collectively one of the most unattractive bands ever (even by heavy metal standards) didn't help matters, especially in image-conscious America, so it was no surprise when the band's appeal remained firmly confined to the metal underground. Which is too bad, since The Dark's first half contained some of the group's best material, including the brutal intensity of "Start the Fire" and "Method to Your Madness," as well as what was probably their best-known song, the astoundingly heavy epic "Watch the Children Play." Extensive touring with Elektra labelmates Metallica had also motivated the band to develop their thrashier inclinations, resulting in vicious moshers like "Ton of Bricks" and "Over My Dead Body."