With Howe and Marshall, Metal Church released their third studio album, "Blessing in Disguise", in 1989. Critics responded favorably, including some assertions that the record was the group's strongest effort. "Blessing in Disguise" was even more successful than its predecessors, peaking at number 75 on the "Billboard" 200; this was Metal Church's highest chart position, until it was surpassed 27 years later by "XI". Despite touring well behind the album throughout 1989 and 1990 (with bands such as Metallica, W.A.S.P., Accept, Fates Warning, Saxon, Celtic Frost and Meliah Rage), they were dropped from Elektra.