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)
The Final Word
Metal Church Lyrics
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Like finding a solution to starvation and disease
I know that you're concerned about your First amendment rights
But don't you burn our flag to make your point, that's just not right
If you think you're better off in a different country
Why don't you pack your bags right now
Here's your ticket
It's on me
I've been around this whole wide world and found no better place
And no one's gonna start a fire in my homeland's face
We have a tendency to take our freedom for granted
We have some problems, yes I know
Look at the seed you've planted
I know that you're aching to be heard
What gives you the famous final word?
To think that your opinion is preferred
What gives you the famous final word?
What other country do you know that pays you without work?
When you need some money, see your welfare officer
There's a lot of other things that you could take a stand about
So you and your activists can take the next train out
I know that you're aching to be heard
What gives you the famous final word?
To think that your opinion is preferred
What gives you the famous final word?
Freedom of speech out of hand
Demonstrations in the land
If you complain a little more
What rights you have left
Go flying out the door
Why don't you find a worthwhile cause to channel your energies?
Like finding a solution to starvation and disease
With all the problems in this world that are facing us today
We need a concentrated push or in the long run we'll all pay
The lyrics to Metal Church's song The Final Word paint a picture of a deeply patriotic individual who values freedom and is quick to defend their country against those who want to protest in potentially harmful or inappropriate ways. The lyrics caution against those who want to burn the flag or complain without doing anything to find solutions to serious issues like starvation and disease. The song asks listeners to take a stand against activism that creates problems or tears down systems without doing anything to improve them. It suggests that there are better ways to use one's energy and that true freedom comes with responsibility.
The song was written by Metal Church and released in 1988 on the album "The Dark," which is widely regarded as one of the band's best works. The message of the song is particularly relevant in the current political climate, where social media makes it easier than ever for people to share their opinions on political and social issues. The song has been praised for its ability to capture the spirit of patriotism without descending into jingoism.
Line by Line Meaning
Why don't you find a worthwhile cause to channel your energies?
Instead of causing trouble, why not focus on something productive that can help others?
Like finding a solution to starvation and disease
There are important problems affecting the world, and dedicating efforts to solving them can make a difference.
I know that you're concerned about your First amendment rights
You care about having the freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
But don't you burn our flag to make your point, that's just not right
Expressing your views in a disrespectful way, such as burning the flag, is not an acceptable way to communicate your message.
If you think you're better off in a different country
If you believe that another country is better suited to your preferences and views,
Why don't you pack your bags right now
why don't you leave and go there instead?
Here's your ticket
I'll even help you get started by providing you with a travel ticket.
It's on me
I'll pay for it, so that you can leave if this is truly how you feel.
I've been around this whole wide world and found no better place
I have traveled extensively, and nowhere else have I found a place as good as where we live now.
And no one's gonna start a fire in my homeland's face
I won't tolerate anyone causing harm or destruction in my country.
We have a tendency to take our freedom for granted
Sometimes we forget how fortunate we are to have the freedoms that we enjoy.
We have some problems, yes I know
Of course, there are issues and challenges we face, but we can't ignore the things that we have going for us.
Look at the seed you've planted
Take a moment to reflect on the impact of your actions and the message you are sending to others.
I know that you're aching to be heard
I understand that you have a desire to express yourself and be acknowledged.
What gives you the famous final word?
But why do you believe that your opinion is the only one that matters and should be the last word?
To think that your opinion is preferred
Why do you assume that your view is the only one that is valid or valuable?
Freedom of speech out of hand
Sometimes people abuse their freedom of speech by using it for hateful or harmful purposes.
Demonstrations in the land
Protests and demonstrations can also sometimes cause chaos or destruction.
If you complain a little more
Continuing to voice negative and unconstructive criticisms.
What rights you have left
Could eventually undermine the very rights and freedoms you are trying to defend.
Go flying out the door
This could lead to losing the freedoms you currently have or restrict them further.
With all the problems in this world that are facing us today
Given the many struggles the world faces at present.
We need a concentrated push or in the long run we'll all pay
It's important that we direct our energies and attention on what matters, or there will be consequences for everyone in the future.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MICHAEL P. HOWE, KURDT YORK VANDERHOOF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind