UMUR
"Generation Nothing" is the tenth full-length studio album by US power/heavy metal act Metal Church. The album was released through Body of Work Recordings in October 2013. It´s the successor to "This Present Wasteland" from September 2008. After touring in support of "This Present Wasteland" (2008), Metal Church split-up in July 2009 (their second split-up). The band however opted to reunite in October 2012 in the same quintet lineup who recorded the predecessor (although former guitarist Jay Reynolds was shortly a part of the reunited lineup, but was soon replaced by Rick Van Zandt). It would be the fourth and last Metal Church album to feature lead vocalist Ronny Munroe.
Stylistically "Generation Nothing" continues the US power/heavy metal style of the many preceding releases by Metal Church. Not much has happened with the band´s style and sound since they released their eponymously titled debut album back in 1984, although there have been many lineup changes along the way. Including three different lead vocalists. Metal Church have always stood for powerful, melodic, and at times relatively hard edged (meaning occasionally leaning on thrash) US power/heavy metal, and they continue that style and sound on "Generation Nothing". Artists like contemporary Metallica, the most hard rock influenced Iron Maiden, and Flotsam and Jetsam are valid references in my book.
Munroe is a skilled vocalist with a strong voice, able to sing both melodic and more raw. He sometimes sounds like a more rough and angry Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden). The remaining part of the band are exceptionally well playing too, and after so many years Metal Church can still hold their own and deliver their music with great passion and bite. The songwriting is decent to good, and a few of the tracks are even great, but that´s been the picture on most of the Munroe-led Metal Church releases. "Generation Nothing" features a powerful and well sounding production, so it´s a good quality US power/heavy metal release and a 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.