Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Heretic is one of those bands that somehow slipped through the cracks for me. When I saw their new album The Shape of Things to Come, I recognized the name but couldn't remember why. After doing some research, I discovered this was the band Mike Howe sang with before joining Metal Church, and that immediately got my attention.
In this review, I take a look at Heretic's long-awaited fourth studio album, The Shape of Things to Come, their first album in nine years. I'll also talk about the band's connections to Metal Church, Reverend, and the U.S. power metal scene before giving my track-by-track thoughts and final score.
If you're a fan of Metal Church, Sanctuary, Vicious Rumors, Liege Lord, Helstar, or classic U.S. power metal, this is an album you should definitely check out.
My Score: 8.5/10
What did you think of The Shape of Things to Come? Let me know your favorite song in the comments!
If you enjoyed this review, please give the video a like, subscribe for more rock and metal reviews, and check out my playlist featuring all of my 2026 new album reviews.
#Heretic #TheShapeOfThingsToCome #AlbumReview #MikeHowe #MetalChurch #USPowerMetal #HeavyMetal #ThrashMetal #NewMetal #Metal2026 #MetalReviews #JCRockAndMetalReviews
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**FAIR USE**
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
Heretic is one of those bands that somehow slipped through the cracks for me. When I saw their new album The Shape of Things to Come, I recognized the name but couldn't remember why. After doing some research, I discovered this was the band Mike Howe sang with before joining Metal Church, and that immediately got my attention.
In this review, I take a look at Heretic's long-awaited fourth studio album, The Shape of Things to Come, their first album in nine years. I'll also talk about the band's connections to Metal Church, Reverend, and the U.S. power metal scene before giving my track-by-track thoughts and final score.
If you're a fan of Metal Church, Sanctuary, Vicious Rumors, Liege Lord, Helstar, or classic U.S. power metal, this is an album you should definitely check out.
My Score: 8.5/10
What did you think of The Shape of Things to Come? Let me know your favorite song in the comments!
If you enjoyed this review, please give the video a like, subscribe for more rock and metal reviews, and check out my playlist featuring all of my 2026 new album reviews.
#Heretic #TheShapeOfThingsToCome #AlbumReview #MikeHowe #MetalChurch #USPowerMetal #HeavyMetal #ThrashMetal #NewMetal #Metal2026 #MetalReviews #JCRockAndMetalReviews
Hey everyone! I just released my new e-book called How to Start a YouTube Channel for Introverts. It’s a quick and easy 42-page read where I share the full story behind my channel, JC Rock and Metal Reviews—how I got started, the struggles I faced, and the lessons I learned along the way.
jc-rock-and-metal-reviews-shop.fourthwall.com/products/how-to-start-a-youtube-channel-as-an-introvert-e-book
Please consider becoming a member of this channel. The first tier is 0.99 and this gives you early access to my videos as I always post them as members first before going public. Sometimes I post up to a week in advance. The second tier is 2.99 and this one gives you early access plus the benefit of making video requests. You can request album reviews or any other video provided it is within the scope of this channel’s content.
Join this channel to get access to perks:
youtube.com/channel/UCRPx4Iygm4SnMn4D7Getgtg/join
If you want to help support the channel. I have merch, including t-shirts, coffee mugs and stickers.
Check out the new Merch Store:
jc-rock-and-metal-reviews-shop.fourthwall.com/?source=dashboard
FACEBOOK:
facebook.com/JCrockandmetalreviews
TikTok:
vm.tiktok.com/ZMNNq83XD
CONTACT INFORMATION
jpc522@yahoo.com
**FAIR USE**
Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.
Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
