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Be sure to order the impossible-before-now-to-find Apostle related CD that guitarist Matt Harding recorded as a three-piece with his son, Jacob Harding...
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Click to Order: The Jacob's Ladder - TJL (CD, 2008) Apostle's Matt Harding-Ty Tabor Mastered $14.95 (for fans of Apostle, King's X, Trytan)
Apostle - Metal For the Master (New-Vinyl, 2026, Retroactive) elite Neo-Classical Heavy Metal!
Artist: Apostle
Album Title: Metal For the Master (1989)
Label: Retroactive Records
Format: Turquoise Vinyl, lyrics insert, 200 unit pressing
Product ID: RRV2109
Barcode: 732131699388
Release date: 7/15/2026
KEY COLLECTOR DETAILS
-
Prolific 80's Christian Metal band (Florida) w guitar wizard, Matt Harding
- Included epic tracks on iconic Christian metal compilations East Coast Metal (1989) and White Metal Invasion (1989)!
- Elite neo-classical U.S. power metal
- Band leader, vocalist & guitarist, Matt Harding deserves to rank with the likes of Chris Impellitteri, Rex Carroll (Whitecross) and Carl Grimmark (Narnia)
- Limited to just 200 Turquoise Vinyl copies
- First time Metal For the Master (1989) is available on Vinyl
- Recorded in Chicago (1986) at Tone Zone studios (Rez band's home studio), engineered by Roger Heiss, and produced by Rez band's Glenn Kaiser!Â
- Metal For the Master was the band's chance to re-recorded classic Apostle tracks produced by Glenn Kaiser
- Powerful instrumentals with "Armageddon" & "Parting of the Red Sea"
- Some original cassettes of this were titled "Apostle"
- Planned to be released with the name "Tone Zone" in 1987, but that name didn't end up being used.
- All new artwork reimagined by NLTM Scott Waters
- Remastered by Rob Colwell
- 12x12 lyrics insert &Â Apostle history
- Part of the exclusive Metal Icon SeriesÂ
- Includes write-up from Matthew Hunt (Retroactive Records)
- For fans of Saint, early Bloodgood, Yngwie Malmsteen, Judas Priest, Messiah Prophet, Sacred Warrior, Stryper, and Paradox
ABOUT THE ALBUM
Apostle – Metal For the Master (1989) – Turquoise Vinyl (2026 Reissue)
Some albums capture lightning in a bottle. Others take that lightning… and refine it into something sharper, heavier, and more intentional.
Apostle’s Metal For the Master (1989) is exactly that kind of record.
Following the underground momentum of Hymns, Apostle returned with a bold mission—to reimagine and elevate their sound. The result is a tighter, more focused, and more powerful statement of U.S. neo-classical heavy metal, driven by the vision and talent of Matt Harding.
There’s history woven into this release. Some early cassette versions circulated under the name Apostle, and at one point the project was even intended to be released as Tone Zone in 1987. But over time, the recordings found their identity as Metal For the Master—a title that better reflects the album’s intensity, purpose, and conviction.
Recorded in Chicago at Tone Zone Studios—the home base of Rez Band—and produced by Glenn Kaiser, this album represents a unique convergence of artistry and influence. With engineering by Roger Heiss and Kaiser’s production touch, Apostle was given the platform to re-record key material with greater clarity, precision, and intensity.
And it shows.
From the driving force of “Overcomer” and “Conquerors” to the anthemic power of “King of Kings” and “Holy Soldier,” this album delivers a confident, sharpened sound that pushes beyond the raw energy of earlier recordings. The musicianship is tighter, the arrangements more deliberate, and the impact undeniable.
The inclusion of instrumental pieces like “Parting the Red Sea” and “Armageddon” further highlights the band’s technical prowess—showcasing the neo-classical edge that places Apostle alongside elite players in the genre.
Long respected by those who discovered them through compilations like East Coast Metal and White Metal Invasion, Apostle remained one of the great “if you know, you know” bands of the era.
This release changes that.
For the first time ever, Metal For the Master arrives on vinyl, pressed on striking Turquoise wax—a perfect visual match for the album’s bold and refined sound.
Part of the Metal Icon Series, this edition has been remastered by Rob Colwell, bringing new depth and clarity while preserving the album’s original character. The package includes a 12x12 full-size lyrics insert, Apostle history, and a new write-up that helps frame the importance of this release within the band’s legacy.
Visually, the album is reborn with all-new artwork reimagined by NLTM’s Scott Waters, giving this classic a fresh and powerful presentation worthy of its sound.
Limited to just 200 copies worldwide, this is a true collector’s piece—a definitive version of one of Apostle’s most focused and musically accomplished releases.
If you’re a fan of Saint, early Bloodgood, Yngwie Malmsteen, Judas Priest, Messiah Prophet, Sacred Warrior, Stryper, or Paradox, this belongs in your collection.
TRACKS
-   King of the Saints   02:57   Â
2.   Overcomer   03:07  Â
3.   Conquerors   02:30   Â
4.   Born Again   02:53   Â
5.   Parting the Red Sea   02:54    instrumental
6.   Unlimited Power   02:39   Â
7.   Armageddon   01:28    instrumental
8.   King of Kings   02:21   Â
9.   Bread of Life   03:14   Â
10.   Holy Soldier   03:54   Â
King of the Saints / Overcomer / Conquerors / Born Again / Parting the Red Sea / Unlimited Power / Armageddon / King of Kings / Bread of Life / Holy Soldier
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