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)
Conductor
Metal Church Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Always got an empty seat, no need for reservation
There's no need to hesitate, come and step inside
Take a chance, climb aboard, come enjoy the ride
Here we have the secrets, here we have the answers
All forgotten heroes, lost and crippled dancers
Come and take my hand child, step onto the stage
Step into the lamp child, 'neath the engine's gaze
If you never quite belonged, this train it welcomes strays, for they return
Look into my eyes and see they burn
Take a look at history and learn
All the lessons that the years have earned
Still they return
I'm your conductor, what's your destination?
There's no need for baggage here, so leave it at the station
Tell me what you want child, tell me if you see
Beckoning in the dark, immortality
Yesterday's a dream now, nearly an illusion
tomorrow's just a fantasy that's bordering delusion
All the days you've yet to live are rushing towards the past
Curtain's up, climb aboard, through the looking glass
Step into the lamp child, 'neath the engine's gaze
If you never quite belonged, this train it welcomes strays for they return
Look into my eyes and see they burn
Take a look at history and learn
All the lessons that the years have earned
Still they return
The song "Conductor" by Metal Church is a powerful invitation to take a journey on a train led by the conductor. The lyrics describe the conductor as a guide who knows all the secrets and has all the answers, and who welcomes anyone who hasn't quite fit in anywhere else. The train becomes a metaphor for life, with each passenger representing a soul searching for meaning and purpose.
The conductor invites the listener to step aboard, promising them a chance to unlock their dreams and learn the lessons of history. The train is a place where baggage is left behind and the journey is the destination. The lyrics emphasize the importance of seizing the opportunity to live in the present and not be lost in illusions of the past or future.
The imagery in "Conductor" is striking, with the train itself becoming a symbol for human existence. The lamp and engine's gaze become almost supernatural objects, imbued with mystical power. Through it all, the conductor remains a reassuring presence, urging the listener to take a leap of faith and trust in the journey.
Overall, "Conductor" is an uplifting and empowering song about seizing opportunities and living life to the fullest. It encourages the listener to take risks, embrace their own individuality, and never be afraid to pursue their dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm your conductor, welcome to the station
I am in control of this journey, and I invite you to join me on this train ride.
Always got an empty seat, no need for reservation
There is always room for anyone who wants to come along, without any need to book in advance.
There's no need to hesitate, come and step inside
Do not be afraid, take a leap of faith and come aboard.
Take a chance, climb aboard, come enjoy the ride
Take a risk and seize the opportunity to enjoy this ride with me.
Here we have the secrets, here we have the answers
This journey offers knowledge and insight that you may not find elsewhere.
All forgotten heroes, lost and crippled dancers
Everyone, including those who may have been forgotten or marginalized, are welcome to be a part of this journey.
Come and take my hand child, step onto the stage
I am here to guide you and lead you to something larger than yourself.
Dreams that can unlock your mind, like keys unlock a cage
The dreams and experiences on this ride may help to open your mind and free you from any mental limitations.
Step into the lamp child, 'neath the engine's gaze
Step forward into the light and embrace the journey that is before you.
If you never quite belonged, this train it welcomes strays, for they return
Even if you have never quite fit in with others, this train is open to outsiders, who often come back for more.
Look into my eyes and see they burn
I am passionate about this journey and everything it has to offer.
Take a look at history and learn
Learn from the past and use that knowledge to inform your experience here.
All the lessons that the years have earned
All the wisdom that has been gathered over time is available to enhance your experience.
Still they return
People keep coming back for more of what this journey has to offer.
I'm your conductor, what's your destination?
I will help guide you towards whatever destination you might have in mind.
There's no need for baggage here, so leave it at the station
Do not bring your emotional or mental baggage with you, embrace the present and leave the past behind.
Tell me what you want child, tell me if you see
Share your desires and vision with me so that I can help guide you towards those goals.
Beckoning in the dark, immortality
The promise of something eternal or infinite is calling out to you, even in the unknown or scary parts of this journey.
Yesterday's a dream now, nearly an illusion
The past is behind us and can sometimes seem like it was never even real.
Tomorrow's just a fantasy that's bordering delusion
The future is unpredictable and can sometimes feel like more of a dream than a tangible reality.
All the days you've yet to live are rushing towards the past
Time moves quickly, and everything we look forward to will soon become a thing of the past.
Curtain's up, climb aboard, through the looking glass
The journey is beginning, so hop on board and prepare to enter a new dimension.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@adrianadelacruzdominguez3361
Que gran canción, que gran álbum, que gran vocalista, el mundo no será lo mismo sin ti Mike Howe, DEP
@jaimeguerravalencia6714
Great song, I love metal church
@GOFLuvr
This is the Metal Church I know and love!!
@JohnHenrySheridan
Love this song! Great riffs and momentum! Awesome voice too 🎶
@briansauer6695
Been a headbanger since I was a teen in the early 80's, but up here in Canada, I only ever heard the band name but no songs. Listened to this CD at a used CD outlet around 2011/2012 and fell in love with it at first listen! Didn't even have to listen to more than 3 or 4 tracks to realize I would love it! Bought most of their catalogue since and hope to see them in concert soon!
@kitrathenar
Wow, memories... a DJ at my local club used to play this track week in, week out. Always loved it but it took me years to track down the album! Fantastic song by an underrated band - thanks for sharing. \m/
@nordicpawsproductions465
Great song to listen too while riding on a train.
@madball80
Still in 2018 a great Record!
@TailgunnerATC
The re-recording version they just released sounds JUST like this it's fucking wild.
@gerardvanrijssel9286
Great song 👊