Metal Church started off their career with a bang—their 1984 self-titled debut was an instant classic, unveiling a mix of ripping fretwork, shrieking vocals and ace chops that would profoundly influence both thrash and speed metal. Despite undergoing nearly too many lineup changes to count, the San Franciscan icons have become one of heavy metal’s most consistently rewarding acts, thanks in large part to the unique tension between raw power and rich melodicism underpinning guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof’s songwriting. He’s an ageless talent, one who has unloaded some of his fiercest anthems on late-career standouts like 2016’s XI.