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Rating: This album will never make it to the classic lists of must-have metal albums at any cost, but it undoubtedly positions itself as one of the most honest and compelling releases of the early eighties in the American Thrash metal scene. Released precisely in 1991, when heavy music was about to be swept away by the grunge cyclone and Thrash metal, in particular, had to contend with the melodic trend set by Metallica's "Black Album".
Well, Metal Church emerged with one of their angriest records, much more thrash-oriented with elements of hardcore in the sound and politicized lyrics. A small change within the band had already occurred with the departure of the original and lamented David Wayne (who passed away in 2005, after a brief reunion of the original Church) already from the predecessor "Blessing in Disguise" (1989) replaced by the less melodic and more incisive Mike Howe and the departure of guitarist and band founder Kurdt Vanderhoof, who would nevertheless continue to be an additional member of the band as co-author of almost all the songs on this album.
The departure from classic American power metal in favor of more aggressive sounds is evident from the first track "The Human Factor", opened by a classic thrash riff by guitarists John Marshall (known for frequently substituting Metallica's guitarist, a young and reckless James Hetfield, while he was healing from broken or burned upper limbs due to unfortunate on-stage accidents) and Craig Wells.
The album alternates genuine mid-tempos, capable of mixing classic metal riffs with the heaviness of thrash metal like "Date With Poverty", "Final Word", to mid-tempos for pure headbanging like "Betrayed", supported by classic Bay-area style circular and raw riffs.
The style changes in at least three speed tracks like "In Due Time", "Flee From Reality", and "The Fight Song", which are not so far from the metallic hardcore of groups like Suicidal Tendencies or early Corrosion Of Conformity. Finally, a mention for the anti-militarist ballad "In Harm's Way", somewhat the "One" of Metal Church and for "Agent Green", which with its alternating acoustic and melodic parts with faster and more aggressive resumptions, will serve as an example for the sound that Metal Church would embark on in the subsequent, more melodic yet equally stunning "Hanging in the Balance" (1993, with one of the ugliest covers I have ever seen).
Metal Church continues to release dignified albums even today, but far from the magic of those years. Finally, allow me to mention two more albums released in that distant 1991 that I always associate with this "The Human Factor" due to their characteristics, namely "SYMBOL OF SALVATION" by ARMORED SAINT and "WELCOME TO THE BALL" by VICIOUS RUMORS. Part of how to harden one's sound without losing its essence.
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
01 The Human Factor (05:00)
[K. Vanderhoof / M. Howe]
I just can't believe my ears, some music out these days
The human factor has diminished, in oh so many ways
Fancy footwork gets top bill and I'll put on such a show
One more Midi cable and my band is ready to go
One more moneymaker and I'm set for life
Stealing from others will make my future bright
One, make some money; two, overexpose
Sincerity is felt much more when the human factor shows
When the human factor shows
I just need a sample cause no one says it's wrong
It's so easy to rip-off using someone else's songs
Everybody wants to be a star in modern days
But if I don't have talent then I'll just get by this way
Changing programs faster than I dare to say
Musicians all make mistakes who needs them anyway?
One, make some money; two, overexpose
Sincerity is felt much more when the human factor shows
When the human factor shows
I just heard a song today I think I'll use a part
incorporate it my own way and that is just the start
I'll change the lyrics that they wrote to satisfy my needs
I wrote the book. Two easy steps. "How to succeed."
I just can't believe my ears, some music out these days
The human factor has diminished, in oh so many ways
Fancy footwork gets top bill and I'll put on such a show
One more Midi cable and my band is ready to go
One more moneymaker and I'm set for life
Stealing from others will make my future bright
One, make some money; two, overexpose
Sincerity is felt much more when the human factor shows
When the human factor shows
When the human factor shows
When the human factor shows
03 The Final Word (06:00)
Why don't you find a worthwhile cause to channel your energies?
Like finding a solution to starvation and disease
I know that you're concerned about your First Ammendment rights
But don't you burn our flag to make your point, that's just not right
If you think you're better off in a different country
Why don't you pack your bags right now
Here's your ticket
It's on me
I've been around this whole wide world and found no better place
And no one's gonna start a fire in my homeland's face
We have a tendency to take our freedom for granted
We have some problems, yes I know
Look at the seed you've planted
I know that you're aching to be heard
What gives you the famous final word?
To think that your opinion is preferred
What gives you the famous final word?
What other country do you know that pays you without work?
When you need some money, see your welfare officer
There's a lot of other things that you could take a stand about
So you and your activists can take the next train out
I know that you're aching to be heard
What gives you the famous final word?
To think that your opinion is preferred
What gives you the famous final word?
Freedom of speech out of hand
Demonstations in the land
If you complain a little more
What rights you have left
Go flying out the door
Why don't you find a worthwhile cause to channel your energies?
Like finding a solution to starvation and disease
With all the problems in this world that are facing us today
We need a concentrated push or in the long run we'll all pay
07 Agent Green (05:57)
[K. Vanderhoof / M. Howe]
I hold the key to the world's security
Any price they'll pay to me, pay to me
I see the signs, and I heed the call, no one will know me, no one at all
Freedom is calling, the money's green, and to no country will I pledge my loyalty
I pass for someone who no one knows, I am the wolf who hides in political sheep's clothes
A peaceful world in jeopardy, it doesn't really matter all that much to me
If the people knew all that I know about their leaders and the ones who run the show
More cover-ups, legal deceit, there is no one in power who can destroy me!
I hold the key to the world's security
Any price they'll pay to me, pay to me
Change my face somewhere, lose myself out there
Change the way I speak, my past I will delete
I'll never know just how I made it out alive
But when I look into the future I look through a different eye
It doesn't really matter what they need to know
'Cause I can blow the lid off any scandal that they want to be exposed
I hold the key to the world's security
Any price they'll pay to me, pay to me
I'll change my name, a different look, another page in my life's book
It makes no difference just who I am, I'll take the money from Mother Russia or Uncle Sam
I'm filled with secrets of a nation, here at your disposal to benefit my greed
I take my liberties whereever I can find them, I am protected by the crime that lies behind
10 The Fight Song (03:25)
[C. Wells / J. Marshall / K. Arrington / D. Erickson / M. Howe] In these days of depressing times, There stands one final truth There's no doubt in my mind at all: the future belongs to the youth So take a stand and show them the best you can do The odds are against you, or so you assume Fight for your rights, they're yours to keep So fight and make it right The road is a long and a treacherous one Draw on the strength from within Don't be discouraged by a slap in the face The struggle has yet to begin So take a stand and show them the best you can do The odds are against you, or so you assume Fight for your rights, they're yours to keep So fight and make it right So take to the streets and find a new way Confusion in masses, the law of today Ride out the storm, it's tougher than ever Can't you see? We're in this together Endowed with a free will and thoughts for expression Don't let them fall by the way Strengthen and use them but don't you abuse them Help build a better day So take a stand and show them the best you can do The odds are against you, or so you assume Fight for your rights, they're yours to keep So fight and make it right Make it right Make it right Make it right
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