Description

Tri-folded digipak cover. Limited 300 copies

Originally, Metal Church was formed in 1980 in San Francisco by Kurdt Vanderhoof. Several members passed through the band’s line-up during the first year. In 1981, Kurdt moved back to his home town of Aberdeen, Washington and founded a new band called Shrapnel with Craig Wells, Duke Erickson, and for a while, Tom Weber on drums. Tom was quickly replaced by Kirk Arrington after the first line-up had recorded an instrumental demo. After a few unsuccessful vocalist experiences, they found David Wayne and released the Four Hymns demo in 1982. Further demo material from just before and just after Wayne was hired was also recorded though never officially released at the time. In 1983, they decided to change the name of the band from Shrapnel to Metal Church, and went on to release their self-titled, self-financed debut album. The Complete Shrapnel Tapes features those early demos and rehearsals, most of these are released for the first time.

Track list:
1. Deathwish-Four Hymns demo 1983
2. The Brave-Four Hymns demo 1983
3. Battalions-Four Hymns demo 1983
4. Gods Of Wrath-Four Hymns demo 1983
5. Thrasher-instrumental demo 1983
6. Graveyard Lust-instrumental demo 1983
7. (Unknown Song)-instrumental demo 1983
8. Death Wish-instrumental demo 1983
9. Death Wish-with vocals-demo 1983
10. Wake Up And Die-rehearsal 1981 with Mike Murphy on vocals
11. Put The Chains On-rehearsal 1981 with Mike Murphy on vocals
12. Arab Nations-rehearsal 1981 with Mike Murphy on vocals
13. Red Skies-Red Skies demo 1981
14. Merciless Onslaught-Red Skies demo 1981
15. And Heads Will Roll-Red Skies demo 1981
16. Put The Chains On-Instrumental rehearsal 1981