Kingdom Metal

Tell me something:

Why has there never been an album this good since?

This one remains a perennial favorite. It’s just the right combination of gritty wild vocals, hard-hitting blues-based guitar riffs, decent production (for the budget, I’m sure)  and in-your-face lyrics. For anyone who thinks that Christian music (always) sucks, they need listen no further.

I had the chance to emcee a Bride show in Tampa not too long before this record was released. What I can tell you is: Dale Thompson is the real freakin’ deal. You may not always like his attitude or perhaps even his theology, but the guy is a genuine as the day is long. His brother Troy has been accused of crafting overly simple guitar parts, and the band has experienced its share of turnover, but nothing — and I mean absolutely nothing — beat Bride live in the early 90s.

This record captured much of the attitude and raw grit of the band in that era. It isn’t a live album, of course, nor was it intended to be. But in the language of studio recordings, it communicated what you heard in a Bride show live. Heck, they even managed to get away with a ballad or two on this one.

Later recordings from the band were hit and miss, in my opinion. Scarecrow Messiah ranks as a 2nd favorite from this Kentucky-based quartet. When they got into the studio with the ex-Pakadermers (the Elefante brothers), things went a little in the “so-so” direction. And — even scarier — when the band had a chance to make a record the way they wanted to do it… well… you have to own it for the collection, but it might collect dust.

I once read an interview with Dale Thompson who responded to the question, “When are you going to make Snakes 2?”

“Listen to Snakes 1.”

With his failed bid for the Presidency in 2008 (yes, you read that right), my guess has it that Dale is back to lifting weights. The band’s website hasn’t been updated in a while (apparently since the 2006 Skin for Skin was released), and there hasn’t been much word of them touring. If they do hit the road again and you have a chance to catch the show… don’t miss it.

*UPDATE* It bears mentioning that Snakes is available for download  in high quality from iTunes. Get it here. The disc has long been out of print and the iTunes files sound great.

*UPDATE #2* I guess in the world of Social Media and Web 2.0 an out-of-date website doesn’t necessarily mean an out-of-touch band. Bride’s official MySpace profile (which appears to be manned by Dale) is quite up-to-date. It looks like Mrs. Dale (Sharon) has suffered from breast cancer (but appears to be recovering cancer-free after surger) and Dale himself is going under the knife for a shoulder replacement due to arthritis. Just one of those would be enough to sideline many a band, but both of them combined with some health issues for their son adds up to one big bummer. Praying for the whole family, and looking to God to sustain them powerfully. Read the updates here, here, and here.