Vanderhoof

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uitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof of Metal Church formed his self-titled Vanderhoof during his initial departure from his former act. Like Vanderhoof's other project, Hall Aflame (who released an album in the early nineties), Vanderhoof the band was decidedly less power metal/thrash metal influenced than Metal Church ever was, instead opting for a more mainstream hard rock sound. Under the membership of Damon Albright (vocals), Kurdt Vanderhoof (ex-Metal Church/ex-Hall Aflame; guitar/backing vocals), Dave Hawkes (bass/backing vocals), Brian Cokeley (keyboards/backing vocals) and Kirk Arrington (ex-Metal Church; drums/backing vocals) Vanderhoof would release a self-titled effort in 1997 on the German 'SPV' label, with a supporting tour following close behind.

After the tour, Vanderhoof and Arrington joined back up with Metal Church to release Metal Church Live, created from a long forgotten master tape, and also recorded the studio album Masterpeace, followed by a European tour.