Metal Church has had a revolving door of vocalists, guitarists, bassists and drummers throughout its 42-year career, and Vanderhoof remains the group's sole consistent creative, despite reducing his role strictly to composition in 1986 after tiring of performing. The "classic" lineup of Vanderhoof, vocalist David Wayne, guitarist Craig Wells, bassist Duke Erickson, and drummer Kirk Arrington recorded the band's first two studio albums, Metal Church (1984) and their major breakthrough The Dark (1986). By the end of the 1980s, Vandehoof and Wayne had parted ways with the band and were replaced by vocalist Mike Howe and guitarist John Marshall respectively. Metal Church's popularity continued with their third album Blessing in Disguise (1989), which spawned one of their best-known songs "Badlands". After releasing two more studio albums with Howe, the band called it quits in 1996.
Metal Church reformed in 1998 with most of their "classic" lineup, including Vanderhoof's return to performance, resulting in the Masterpeace album. They endured numerous lineup changes thereafter, releasing three further studio albums while fronted by Ronny Munroe before disbanding once again in July 2009. The group reunited for the second time in October 2012, and released their tenth studio album Generation Nothing a year later. Following Munroe's departure in the fall of 2014, Metal Church considered disbanding for the third time before Howe was rehired in April 2015 as the band's lead singer. He recorded two more albums with the group, which enjoyed a renewed popularity in the mid-to-late 2010s, before his death.
On July 26, 2021, Metal Church announced that Howe had died that morning at his home in Eureka, California, at the age of 55. In October 2021, after announcing the return of his short-lived early 1990s band Hall Aflame, Vanderhoof hinted that Metal Church would continue on with a replacement for Howe. By mid-2022, rumors suggested that Ronny Munroe would rejoin the band, but resulted in him joining Vicious Rumors.
On February 2, 2023, Metal Church announced Marc Lopes as their new lead vocalist. A month later, the band announced their upcoming album, Congregation of Annihilation, would be released on May 26.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metal_Church
Discography
Metal Church (1984)
The Dark (1986)
Blessing in Disguise (1989)
The Human Factor (1991)
Hanging in the Balance (1993)
Masterpeace (1999)
The Weight of the World (2004)
A Light in the Dark (2006)
This Present Wasteland (2008)
Generation Nothing (2013)
XI (2016)
Damned If You Do (2018)
Congregation of Annihilation (2023)
Breathe Again
Metal Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We stray the path intended further from the gates
We play with fire and we're always getting burned
When you walk on holy ground another lesson learned
Free again, free again I know
I can breathe again
Free again, free again I know
We're not alone, we're guided by a hand
We walk with angels, left footprints in the sand
My time is fading as I try to understand
The way I'm feeling, I bow to his command
Free again, free again I know
I can breathe again
Free again, free again I know
I can breathe again, I can breathe again
Oh I can breathe again, oh I can breathe again
The heart will mend with a touch upon the shoulder
Saying I'm alright, now that I've crossed over
Memories now that I am older
Saying I'm alright, now that I've crossed over
Free again, free again I know
I can breathe again
Free again, free again I know
I can breathe again, I can breathe again
Oh I can breathe again, oh I can breathe again
Oh I can breathe again, oh I can breathe again
I can breathe again, oh I can breathe again
The lyrics of Metal Church's song Breathe Again contain a message of redemption and hope. The opening lines speak of the purpose of life, which is to give rather than take, but people often stray from the intended path. The consequence of this deviation is pain, symbolized by playing with fire and getting burned. Walking on holy ground serves as a lesson that leads to redemption. The chorus conveys a sense of freedom from the pain and a renewed hope for the future. The redemption comes from the realization that we are not alone and are guided by a hand. The lyricist uses imagery to reinforce the message, such as walking with angels and leaving footprints in the sand, implying that a higher power is watching over us. As time passes, the realization dawns, and that is expressed in the lyrics with "My time is fading, as I try to understand the way I'm feeling, I bow to his command."
The second verse builds on the redemption message, and the opening line "The heart will mend with a touch upon the shoulder" is an image of comfort and is representative of the chaplain touching a soldier's shoulder in war. The image implies that everything will be alright now that he's crossed over. Memories from the past that once haunted the person now offer comfort with the realization and clarity that comes with age. The closing lines of the song reinforce the message of hope and redemption.
Line by Line Meaning
We come into this world to give and not to take
Our purpose of existence is to give and make a positive impact rather than just taking from the world
We stray the path intended further from the gates
We tend to deviate from the right path and move away from our intended destination
We play with fire and we're always getting burned
We take unnecessary risks and face the consequences of our actions
When you walk on holy ground another lesson learned
Every experience, especially the ones that are sacred, teach us something new
Free again, free again I know
I can breathe again
Free again, free again I know
I can breathe again, I can breathe again
After feeling trapped and suffocated, I now feel free and alive
We're not alone, we're guided by a hand
We are not alone in this journey called life, we have divine guidance to lead us
We walk with angels, left footprints in the sand
Our steps are guided by guardian angels who are constantly watching over us
My time is fading as I try to understand
The way I'm feeling, I bow to his command
As I try to understand my emotions and feelings, I surrender to the guidance of a higher power
The heart will mend with a touch upon the shoulder
Saying I'm alright, now that I've crossed over
With a comforting gesture, our hearts can be healed and we can feel at peace after overcoming a difficult situation
Memories now that I am older
Saying I'm alright, now that I've crossed over
As we grow older, we learn to look back at past experiences with acceptance and realize that we are at peace with ourselves
Oh I can breathe again, oh I can breathe again
I can breathe again, oh I can breathe again
I feel liberated and free to breathe easily again
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KURDT YORK VANDERHOOF, RONALD BRIANS MUNROE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dark Jester
I loved this MC line up..was lucky enough to open for this line up a couple times in Detroit..Ronnie had a cool
Dio-ish tone....the middle breakdown vocals are phenomenal on this track
Thomas Clarke
Imagine if the singer could actually hit the notes required here. Marketed right ye may have had a minor hit no doubt. Kudos to this person who put this song up on even getting the band name right.