Megachurch | Bandcamp | Facebook
Released through Stressed Sumo Records
I am looking at a cover for Megachurch’s new album Megachurch2: Judgment Day. Because usually the artwork helps me getting a first impression. In this case I see a bright green fluorescent dragon. On top of this dragon sits a man. This dragonrider is wearing a suit and he seems to be wearing glasses. He is also holding an enormous bright golden sword. In the background I see a bright purple/pink erupting volcano of some kind. Is that a church I see at the foot of the volcano being threatened by the purple/pink lava? Wait, do I see a witch-like creature on the bottom right of the cover art? Intrigued by this spectacle of fluorescent colours I click on the artwork for Megachurch’s first album Megachurch and I see the same man, riding the same bright fluorescent green dragon, whilst holding the same bright golden sword. Hmm, I sense a theme here.
Megachurch are an instrumental metal band from Cleveland in the United States of America, something they make clear on several occasions throughout this album. Not by singing though, as they wouldn’t be labelled “instrumental”, but they use a lot of vocal samples reminding the listener that we’re dealing with an American band here. The samples all sound to be American preacher men. In fact, the band themselves uses the term “televangelist samples”. Now, they say you learn something new every day, and there you go, I can now add the term “televangelist” to my vocabulary.
Coming back to first impressions, Megachurch’s artwork doesn’t give me any good ones, but I am intrigued to say the least. So, I import the music on my mp3 player and I hit play. First track ‘Resurrection’ hits me with one of those televangelist samples combined with some heavy riffing on what sounds like a bass guitar. Wait, that should be bass guitars, as Megachurch plays with 2 bass players and 1 drummer.
One thing is for sure, while they don’t seem to take themselves very seriously, they sure know how to play and more importantly how to riff. It is brilliant stuff I’m hearing and it reminds me of a much heavier That Fucking Tank, especially the second track ‘Teabaggers’, which is full of heavy distorted double bass guitar riffing, interesting timings and the occasional splashes of melody.
The album is very well produced, and it continues on this heavy riffing theme and it doesn’t bore one single second. The televangelist samples add a lot of humour and fun to the mix, and I can only imagine how fun it would be to see them perform these tunes live. Various church themes are addressed, such as the gay agenda, exorcism, Republican battle hymns, the second coming and of course Judgment Day itself. I’m sure that even the Terminator Arnold Schwarzenegger himself would be enjoying this album.
Whilst Megachurch2: Judgment Day has been released through the band’s own bandcamp site a while ago, it now has been released in Europe on CD and cassette tape through Stressed Sumo Records. I sincerely recommend you to listen to this album, despite the first impression the album artwork could give you.
