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.

- tri-folded digipak cover
- limited 300 copies

Tracklist

Four Hymns Demo 83
1 Deathwish 4:45
2 The Brave 4:25
3 Battalions 5:21
4 Gods Of Wrath 7:05

May 1983 Instrumental Demo
5 Thrasher 9:54
6 Graveyard Lust 5:16
7 (Unknown Song) 6:03
8 Death Wish W/ Vocals 6:22

Dec. 1981 Rehearsal W/ Mike Murphy On Vocals
9 Wake Up And Die 2:38
10 Put The Chains On 3:49
11 Arab Nations 3:50

Red Skies Demo (Early 81)
12 Red Skies 5:10 13 Merciless Onslaught 3:18
14 And Heads Will Roll 6:05