Release Date: 7/17/2026

Black vinyl version. Pressed on 180 gram audiophile vinyl. Includes insert. The Dark is the second studio album by American heavy metal legends Metal Church, originally released in 1986, and is widely regarded as an essential release among thrash metal aficionados worldwide. Dedicated to the late Metallica bassist Cliff Burton, who tragically passed away just nine days before the album's release, the record explores somber and powerful themes such as assassination, death, and personal struggle. Produced by Mark Dodson, best known for his work with Anthrax and Suicidal Tendencies, the album showcases the band at a creative peak and marks the last studio release to feature their classic lineup. Fan favorite tracks include Watch the Children Play, Ton of Bricks, and Over My Dead Body, cementing The Dark as a defining moment in Metal Church's catalog and a cornerstone of 1980s heavy metal.