METAL CHURCH singer Ronny Munroe spoke to John Larson from Tacomaweekly.com recently about a number of topics including his upcoming solo record.

Three songs were recently recorded for the album which has a working title of The Fire Within. They have 15 original songs to choose from for the album, which Munroe expects to release next spring. He and Metal Church guitar legend Kurdt Vanderhoof will co-produce it.

In Metal Church, Munroe realizes he is following the original singer, the late David Wayne, and his replacement, Mike Howe. The style he utilizes, therefore, is in keeping with the same realm as his predecessors. “That is what I am expected to do.”

On his solo material he can go in some different directions. Munroe said these songs show a wider vocal range, bigger choruses and different melodies compared to his work in Metal Church.

He writes the lyrics and comes up with melody lines, while Metal Church guitarist Rick Van Zandt, is writing some of the music.

Munroe is looking forward to playing a benefit show at the Royal Bear on December 20. It will raise funds to assist Alex Macomber, 18, who is fighting a rare blood cancer.

Munroe knows someone who is a friend of Macomber’s family. Macomber just had a stem cell transplant and the medical bills are considerable.

Munroe was moved by hearing of Macomber undergoing a round of chemotherapy one morning and attending a heavy-metal concert that evening despite severe nausea.

“He is a true metalhead,” Munroe said of the teenager. “That says a lot about a person’s character. He is not going to let this bring him down.”

The Royal Bear show begins at 9 p.m. and the bill includes MECHANISM, SHADES OF SANITY and SILVER. Cover charge is a $10 donation.

Read more of the interview here.