Description

Snakes in the Playground is the fifth studio album by the American hard rock band Bride, released on StarSong Records in 1992. Also licensed to Music For Nations. The album was produced by Plinky Giglio.

Until last year’s ‘Kinetic Faith‘, it had been pretty easy to dismiss Bride. The band on three successive Pure Metal releases smacked on metal wannabes who cannibalized mainstream metal songs for its music while regurgitating stock revivalist rhetoric to the converted rebellious 16 year old males who thought Petra was ‘mellow.’ That was before «Everybody Knows My Name» won the Dove for Recorded Metal Song, proving that the Brothers Thompson could write meaningful songs which rose above the pack of pounding poseurs (which every metal band starts out being by default).

If ‘Kinetic Faith’ politely opened the door to get into rock consciousness, ‘Snake in the Playground’ tears through the wall. From the kickin’ opener, «Rattlesnake» to the closing piano ballad «Goodbye», the Bridesters take a lot of their cues from Axl and Slash’s School of Hard Rock Chops, but Troy Thompson’s larger-than-life guitar sound and brother Dale’s more controlled and emotive howl make a strong case for the authenticity of this metal band’s credentials. Matched in intensity by the relentless drumming of Jerry McBroom and throbbing bottom end of bassist Rick Foley, Bride has filled out its sound with a competitive, aggressive sound that matters.

But it’s not just the frenetic rhythms and the searing double attack of screaming guitars and vocals alone that sets ‘Snakes in the Playground’ at the top of the heap of current Christian metal offerings. Dale and Troy Thompson have written some strong, melodic songs, reflective at times of the attempts of Aerosmith and Guns N’ Roses to approach Led Zeppelin’s greatness, giving you something to think about while you watch the walls shake.

«Psychedelic Super Jesus» challenges popular, new-age thinking about Jesus as less than God’s messianic agent and «Would You Die For Me» looks for true Christian commitment and love in those who call Jesus Lord. However, most of ‘Snakes’ exposes the dangers that attack youth and innocence. «Rattlesnake», «Don’t Use Me» and «Love, Money» point out that all that glitters is not gold, while «Picture Perfect» gives evidence that the wages of sin are not significant.

Two ballads close out the cassette sides of ‘Snakes’, «I Miss the Rain» and «Goodbye», but if they get airplay don’t be confused. Ninety percent of Bride’s new effort is a sonic meltdown of spiritual proportions. Even an old alternative fan can spot that this is indeed an important release, not just for Christian metal, but for rock music in general. «Some Things Never Change» sings Dale Thompson on the song of that name, but thankfully some things do, and for the better. [Brian Q. Newcomb, CCM, October 1992]

2021 re-issue, Girder Music Promo

Completely remastered for both CD and Vinyl. The Colored Vinyl (Red with Black Marble Swirl) will contain a sturdy 2 sided printed insert with band photo and lyrics. It is also the first time this album has been on Vinyl.

If there ever was a defining moment in a band’s history, for Bride, it would be this one. Snakes in the Playground was Bride’s fifth and most successful album. Rarely did albums grace the Christian music scene that were welcomed with as much fanfare as this one. For Christian rock fans worldwide, this album was our Abbey Road, our Hotel California, our Back in Black and our Appetite for Destruction. It was also our defining moment as much as it was the band’s. Our rock was finally as great as theirs. Maybe it was Bride’s relentless touring and international attention. Maybe it was their four previous albums that brought them to this moment. Whatever the reason, we were blown away the second we heard “Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart today,” followed immediately by a bell tolling and a siren. It took exactly 49 seconds to realize this was going to be something very special; and special it was. Bride won the 1993 DOVE AWARD™ for HARD MUSIC SONG OF THE YEAR for “Rattlesnake,” as well as the 1994 DOVE AWARD™ for HARD MUSIC SONG OF THE YEAR for “Psychedelic Super Jesus.” Snakes in the Playground also solidified its lasting impact landing at #45 in Heaven’s Metal magazine’s list of the Top 100 Christian Rock Albums of all time.

Release date June 11, 2021
FIRST TIME ON VINYL (Red Transparent w/black marble swirl)
2021 Girder Records
Included Full Color 2 Sided Sleeve with Printed Lyrics, Band Photo
Originally Release in 1992
Remastered by Rob Colwell (Bombworks Sound)

> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/snakes-in-the-playground/715511210)

CD tracklist:

01. Rattlesnake
02. Would You Die For Me
03. Psychedelic Super Jesus
04. Fallout
05. Saltriver Shuffle
06. Dust Through A Fan
07. I Miss The Rain
08. Don’t Use Me
09. Picture Perfect
10. Love, Money
11. Some Things Never Change
12. Goodbye

Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and CD by StarSong Records. Remastered and re-issued on 12-inch vinyl LP by Girder Records in 2021, pressed on Red and Black Marble Swirl vinyl. Also re-issued on CD.