Category Archives: Metal Church

Stet Howland Says Metal Church “Just Started Talking Again” Following The Death Of Mike Howe

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During a recent appearance on “The Classic Metal Show,” Metal Church drummer Stet Howland revealed that the band have “started talking again” following the death of frontman Mike Howe. He says the group are still processing the tragedy and that they have yet to discuss their future.

Howland said the following:

“I just talked to Kurdt [Vanderhoof, guitar] last night; we just had an amazing conversation. And that’s where we’re at — we’re all talking again. That’s where we’re at. But we were so broken, man — I mean, all of us. When I talked to Kurdt a few weeks ago, he was, like, ‘[Mike is] in Barbados.’ We were trying to digest the loss of Mike, because he was so much more than just our singer. He was Uncle Mike here at my house, and he was my friend. He would talk me down when I’d get heated, and I’d talk him down when he’d get heated. And he was such an amazing human.

So we’re all digesting that in our own way. I had just lost my mom — I had a couple of losses — so I was fairly fresh at facing the realities associated with death and loss. Not everybody — everybody handles it different in our band. For some of our members, Mike’s in Barbados on vacation. And so we’re all slowly digesting… And we just started talking again a few weeks ago, and we’re barely talking about anything except making jokes. We have our banter, and we’re starting to joke and communicate again together. And building on the future will come. But right now it’s just… We’re just hugging right now. We’re all, like, ‘I love you, man. I love you too.’ That’s kind of where we’re at. I know everybody wants to know more. When there’s more, you’ll hear about it.”

[via Blabbermouth]

Metal Church Issue New Statements Regarding Frontman Mike Howe’s Suicide

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Earlier today (July 30), it was revealed that Metal Church frontman Mike Howe’s death was the result of suicide by hanging. Now, the band have issued some new statements regarding the sad news.

The group said the following in a since deleted post:

“If you knew Mike Howe, then you knew he was a truly good human being who loved his friends, his family and his many fans around the world. He would always go the extra mile to make someone feel good and he would always give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. We ask that you remember Mike in that way and for the amazing metal music he created.

As to what really happened? He was victimized by a failing health-care system and subsequently poisoned by the venom of Big Pharma. In short and in essence, he fell prey to the real ‘Fake Healer’…enough said. #truth

Godspeed Mike Howe, WE LOVE YOU!!!”

They later added:

“Concerning our recently deleted post addressing the news that Mike’s passing was a suicide, we wanted to dispel any misconceptions that might have arisen from certain media reports. In our efforts to do that, our attempts at honesty created a narrative that fell outside our purest of intentions.

We were in no way, shape or form referring to anything in relation to vaccinations, COVID or politics. We were saying our brother was hurting and while he was seeking medical care for it, the treatments he was utilizing did not protect him. Otherwise, he would still be with us today.

If you knew Mike Howe, then you knew he was a truly good human being who loved his friends, his family and his many fans around the world. He would always go the extra mile to make someone feel good and he would always give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. We ask that you remember Mike in that way and for the amazing metal music he created.

This is an extremely difficult time for everyone who knew Mike personally and those that knew him through the music. We are all still processing the loss of our brother. We apologize that the original statement was misunderstood or created an incorrect dialog.

We ask that you please stop attacking each other in relation to Mike’s passing and Metal Church. We ask that you take that energy and use it to keep Mike’s memory alive by sharing the music he created while he was with us. We want Metal Church music to bring people together as it has over the years and not be divisive.

Godspeed Mike Howe, WE LOVE YOU!!!”

Metal Church Singer Mike Howe Passes Away

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Metal Church singer Mike Howe has sadly passed away at the age of 55. The band issued the following statement:

“It is with our deepest regrets that we must announce the passing of our brother, our friend and true legend of heavy metal music. Mike Howe passed away this morning at his home in Eureka, California. We are devastated and at a loss for words. Please respect our privacy and the Howe family’s privacy during this most difficult time.”

Metal Church Planning To Begin Writing Process For New Album This Summer

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During an interview with Metal Wani, Kurdt Vanderhoof revealed that Metal Church are planning to start the writing process for their new album this summer. He said the following about that after being asked if the band are planning any virtual events to support “From The Vault”:

“Not really, no. I think we’re just gonna kind of leave it at this for right now. When this all passes” — referring to the coronavirus crisis — “then, obviously, like everybody else, we’ll get back to work and get back to normal living and doing our thing. But we’re gonna wait regardless, ’cause we decided what we’re gonna do is wait till after the new album anyway, so that was pre any kind of weird, nefarious viruses and that kind of stuff. So we’re just gonna be working on a new album. We’ll probably start writing that later in the summer… We’re gonna sit and we’re gonna wait till there’s a new album, and then we’ll go out and do the normal promoting it or backing it up by touring and playing shows. But we’re gonna wait till there’s a new record.”

[via Blabbermouth]

Metal Church Share Reimagined Version Of “Conductor”

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Metal Church have shared a reimagined version of their song “Conductor.” This version of the track will appear on the band’s new compilation album “From The Vault,” which will be released on April 10. More details on that effort can be found HERE.

Metal Church Premiere “For No Reason” Lyric Video

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Metal Church have shared a lyric video for their song “For No Reason.” That track will appear on the band’s new compilation album “From The Vault,” which will be released on April 10. More details on that effort can be found HERE.

Metal Church Share Lyric Video For Previously Unreleased Song “Dead On The Vine”

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Metal Church have shared a lyric video for a previously unreleased song titled “Dead On The Vine.” That track will appear on the band’s new compilation album “From The Vault,” which will be released on April 10. More details on that effort can be found HERE.

Metal Church Cancel Toronto & Montreal Shows Due To “Family Health Issues”

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Metal Church have been forced to cancel their July 26 show at the Rockpile in Toronto, Ontario and their July 27 set at the Heavy Montreal festival in Montreal, Quebec. The band issued the following statement:

“To all of our Metal Church fans in Canada, we are saddened to announce the cancellation our shows in Toronto and Montreal due to family health issues. We hope that you understand and hope to make it up to you in the not-so-distant future. Peace and love.”

Metal Church & Doro Announce U.S. Tour

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Metal Church and Doro have announced a U.S. tour together. Images Of Eden will serve as support.

Tour Dates:

04/17 Las Vegas, NV – Count’s Vamp’d
04/18 Anaheim, CA – House Of Blues @ The Parish
04/19 West Hollywood, CA – Whisky A Go Go
04/20 Tempe, AZ – Club Red
05/02 Chicago, IL – Reggie’s
05/03 Racine, WI – Route 20
05/04 Flint, MI – Machine Shop
05/05 St Charles, IL – Arcada Theater
05/07 New York, NY – Highline Ballroom
05/08 Reading, PA – Reverb
05/09 Poughkeepsie, NY – The Chance
05/10 Asbury Park, NJ – Asbury Lanes
05/11 New Bedford, MA – The Vault @ Greasy Luck

Metal Church singer Mike Howe said the following:

“I am excited to get out on the road and embrace our faithful fans again, and any new fans are welcome into the fold! I’m also looking forward to joining forces with legendary metal singer Doro Pesch!! You will not be disappointed!”

Guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof added:

“We are excited to hit the road in support of ‘Damned If You Do’ and couldn’t be happier to share the stage with the legendary Doro Pesch.”

Doro, who is planning to play “best of” Warlock sets, also commented:

“We are doing a double headliner tour with our longtime friends Metal Church. What a superb power package for all metal fans. I am so excited to hit the stage together with Metal Church and I am very sure that the fans in the United States will be as thrilled as we are!!

We will play all these hits, but we will also have a lot more stuff ready from our latest albums, so fans can expect a nice dose of brand new Doro songs from the both very successful albums ‘Forever Warriors’ and ‘Forever United.’ We will play our new anthem ‘All For Metal’ and ‘Living Life To The Fullest’, which is dedicated to my dear, sadly missed friend Lemmy.”