Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

The Metal Voice spoke METAL CHURCH founder Guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof about the bands up and coming album ‘DEAD TO THE RIGHTS’.

Watch the interview below.

When asked if Kurdt Vanderhoof would have ended the last lineup any differently

“Sure they (former band members) think I could have done it differently. That’s on them. We had a big discussion about it, There’s no point. Enough was said. I was clear. The Label lost interest. They (Label) weren’t interested in working with us anymore.” So, I was like, “Well, there’s no point in going on. I’m done. I’m shutting this down. Best of luck to you.” There you go.”

“We got back from Australia. Things got ugly. Things fell apart and a lot of nasty stuff was going on and the record company got done. They said, “No, we’re not doing this (Label).” And I’m like, “I’m not having any fun. I’m done.” So, I shut the band down. Let everybody know, “I’m done. I’m shutting this down. We’re done.” And I also made it very clear that I’m not going to say anything derogatory about anybody. And I hope you do the same because there’s one thing that I can’t stand in the world of social media, you know, he said, she said [ __ ] fight between former band members and blah blah blah. So obviously some people decided to go a different route. That’s on them. That’s fine. But I shut the band down. It (Metal Church) was done. So when it started back up again, um it wasn’t by me starting it up. It was Brian Allen suddenly showed up via Todd LaTorre from Queensryche and he said to (Brain Allan)  you should send  a couple of demos to Rat Pack (Records) and uh and he did and again this was going on without solicitation at all. So he (Brian Allan) sent it and then next thing I know I got a couple of MP3s of somebody singing a couple of old Metal Church songs and I was like, wow. Well, if I ever put the band together again or anything, this guy would be great. I didn’t know that I had known him before from his Judas Priest cover band from many, many years ago. So then I left it at that. And then  because  Dave Ellison was working with Rat Pack on the Ellefson/ Soto project, he extended to  Rat Pack that well if Metal Church  gets back together. I’d love to be involved in that. And I was like wow, cuz Dave and I have known each other forever.  And then next, out of the blue, Jeff Plate said he’d come back if we put it back together. So here I’m sitting here going, well, this is awesome. You know, I really had no intentions. I didn’t want to go run auditions and  and start looking. I was done. You know, it was like another lineup. Like another singer. Really? Come on. You know, this is stupid. but it just happened. So, I went with it and then as it turns out, we started with Jeff  (Plate )and he couldn’t stay because of the Savatage reunion and that really took off, which is great for him. I’m really happy for those guys that they’re doing that. And then within a few days, I was in touch with Ken Mary. So, it just kept moving. So, I’m like, well, I think there’s something more going on then that I intended “I shut it down. .A year and a half, two years later, I put it back together.”

West Coast thrash metal legends Metal Church return with their 13th studio album, Dead To Rights, scheduled for release on April 10 via Rat Pak Records. The album marks the first release from the band’s latest lineup, featuring founding guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof alongside longtime guitarist Rick Van Zandt, joined by bass icon David Ellefson, powerhouse drummer Ken Mary, and dynamic new vocalist Brian Allen.

From the aggressive opening assault of “Brainwash Game” to the riff-driven finale “My Wrath,” Metal Church prove they still possess the same relentless drive that has earned them fans for over four decades. Tracks such as “Deep Cover Shakedown,” “The Show,” and “Wasted Time” deliver the signature sound the band has long been known for. The album’s first single, “F.A.F.O.,” was released last November, with its accompanying video surpassing 400,000 views to date. Dead To Rights was produced by Kurdt Vanderhoof and mixed and mastered by Zeuss at Planet Z.

Track Listing:
“Brainwash Game,
“F.A.F.O.”
“Dead To Rights,
“Deep Cover Shakedown,”
“Feet To The Fire,”
“The Show,”
“Heaven Knows (Slip Away),”
“No Memory,”
“Wasted Time,”
“My Wrath”.

–Release Date: April 10, 2026.
–Label: Rat Pak Records.
–Producer: Kurdt Vanderhoof, with mixing and mastering by Zeuss at Planet-Z Studios.