| Musical Style: Hard Rock | Produced By: |
| Record Label: Retroactive | Country Of Origin: USA & New Zealand |
| Year Released: 2023 | Artist Website: Bride |
| Tracks: 6 | Rating: 80% |
| Running Time: 25:24 |
Bride has spent the better part of its five decade, sixteen-studio album career situated at the intersection of straightforward heavy metal and blues based hard rock. No matter the era in which you subscribe, with former tracing to an iconic three album eighties run and latter an every bit laudable trio of early nineties releases, Bride remains the project of founding members and brothers vocalist Dale Thompson and guitarist Troy Thompson. Dale and Troy stayed true to the Bride mission throughout the decades to follow, although occasionally straying from the formula - noting a mid-nineties excursion to acoustic rock and modern territory or even a turn of the century foray into rap metal - but always revisiting the group’s metal and hard rock ways. Hence, the strong series of albums to see Bride playing to its musical strengths, beginning with the mid turn of the century period up to current times in which it rivals Stryper in terms of output, longevity and quality.
Seventeenth Bride album Are You Awake? is scheduled for release on Retroactive Records in May of 2023. Before that however, the group is releasing in April a precursor in the form of its first ever EP, Eyes Wide Open. Also attributing to Retroactive, Eyes Wide Open encompasses two songs scheduled to appear on Are You Awake?, a pair of exclusive EP tracks (recorded during the Are You Awake? sessions) and one song each from Bride’s previous albums Here Is Your God and Snake Eyes from 2020 and 2018, respectively.
EP opens to first of the two Are You Awake? tracks, “Ain’t No Loser”. It proves a quintessential Bride barnburner, with razor edged guitars and every bit complementary cowbell meshing over a seamless groove-laden low end. Dale’s signature raspy and blues soaked vocals - not to mention occasional honky-tonk piano - elevate further the catchy hooks to prevail.
Second “Make Me Want To Live Again” sustains the explosive demeanor. With ethereal feedback to start giving way to hammering drums, song elevates intensity as brazen guitars cut in to make a resolute statement (for the emboldened verse sections) and hooks again command with authority (noting another engaging refrain). This is second cut in a row to benefit from Troy’s lucid blues drenched soloing.
The two ensuing exclusive tracks are by no means filler, leftovers or second bests. That said they also take a more melodic approach in comparison to those preceding. Consider “Draw The Line” with distorted bass solo to start giving way to the melodic groove to lead the forthcoming way, with bass continuing to play a prominent role until the bottom drips out for the laid back (not to mention quite catchy) acoustic laced refrain. If songs of such quality did not make the Are You Awake? final cut, we are in for quite the treat!
The acoustic sentiments carry over to “Not As Bad As It Seems”, aligning with distant piano and occasional rhythm guitar to make an emotional semi ballad statement to bring to mind a heavier version to classic Kinetic Faith (1991 Bride fourth album) cut “Sweet Louise”. Again, the song literally emanates melody as Troy lends added bluesy licks and chops and Dale makes an equally blues based statement with his earthy delivery.
Here Is Your God lead off track “Demon Speed” takes the intensity to the next level. Guitars cross the all out metal threshold, bristling and boiling in churlish fashion in pushing energy levels on high and allowing hooks to make that much more an impacting statement. Yes, this one is on the brief side at three and half minutes but is about subtle as a punch in the jaw.
“Famous When I’m Dead” hits every bit hard in maintaining the elevated tempo by joining equal parts raw passion and heightened emotion. An almost biting if not caustic demeanor presents, as found in the refrain that brusquely repeats the songs title but without turning repetitious when noting the elevated hooks to command. Period cowbell adorns the backend.
If “Ain’t No Loser”, “Make Me Want To Live Again”, “Draw The Line” and “Not As Bad As It Seems” are any indicator of the quality to Are You Awake?, we are in for nothing less a standout release, or at the very least up there with Here Is Your God and Snake Eyes. “Demon Speed” and “Famous When I’m Dead” play key roles in rounding out the track listing by fitting in with the new Bride material. Dale and Troy Thompson as every maintain strong levels of performance. Overall, Are You Awake comes highly anticipated when factoring the quality that is Eyes Wide Open.
Track Listing: “Ain’t No Loser” (3:52), “Make Me Want To Live Again” (4:27), “Draw The Line” (4:24), “Not As Bad As It Seems” (5:01), “Demon Speed” (3:38), “Famous When I’m Dead” (4:02)
