{{Short description|American Christian metal band}} {{BLP sources|date=October 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}{{Use American English|date=October 2024}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Bride | image = | caption = | origin = Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | genre = {{hlist|Christian metal<ref>{{cite book|first= Deena |last= Weinstein |author-link= Deena Weinstein |title= Heavy Metal: The Music and Its Culture |year= 2000 |page= 54 |publisher= Da Capo Press |isbn= 0-306-80970-2}}</ref><ref>McGovern, Brian Vincent (September–October 1998).{{cite web|url=http://www.hmmagazine.com/issue73/73Albums.htm |title=Okay... here they are... the Album Reviews! |access-date=April 24, 2007 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010713015007/http://www.hmmagazine.com/issue73/73Albums.htm |archive-date=July 13, 2001 }} . ''HM'' (73). {{ISSN|1066-6923}}.</ref>|Christian rock<ref>{{cite web | url=https://themetalonslaught.com/2019/01/07/hello-world/ | title=Lord of the Dale – Our Exclusive Interview with Dale Thompson – the Metal Onslaught | date=January 7, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://sleazeroxx.com/stryper-asking-fans-what-they-want-to-hear-on-next-album-and-whether-they-should-abandon-their-colours/ | title=Stryper asking fans what they want to hear on next album and whether they should abandon their colours - Sleaze Roxx | date=October 23, 2019 }}</ref>|hard rock<ref name="Waters" />|heavy metal<ref name="Waters" />}} | years_active = 1983–present | label = {{hlist|Pure Metal|Star Song|Rugged|Organic|Retroactive}} | website = {{URL|bridepub.com}} | current_members = * Dale Thompson * Troy Thompson | past_members = * Steve Osborne * Frank Partipilo * Rick Foley * Scott Hall * Steve Curtsinger * Stephen Rolland * Andrew Wilkinson * Lawrence Bishop * Michael Loy * Jerry McBroom * G.D Watts }}
'''Bride''' is an American Christian rock and metal band that formed in Louisville, Kentucky by brothers Dale and Troy Thompson in 1983. During the band's peak years, it was known for covering a wide range of musical styles and remains popular in places like Brazil. Their song "Same 'Ol Sinner" is on the Digital Praise PC game ''Guitar Praise''.
== History == Bride formed in 1983 in Louisville, Kentucky by brothers Dale and Troy Thompson. Going by the name Matrix at first, the brothers started writing music and recording demos in 1983. They recorded four demos and started selling them at concerts and through magazines. In 1986, the band opened for the Canadian group Daniel Band in Pottstown, Pennsylvania. This performance caught the eye of an agent of Refuge Records. He decided to sign them to their new label, ''Pure Metal Records'', which was oriented to metal music. At that time, the band consisted of vocalist Dale Thompson, bassist Troy Thompson, guitarist William Sutherland and drummer Stephen Rolland. With this lineup, Troy Thompson sometimes also played guitar while Dale Thompson played bass. They officially changed its name to Bride and went on to record ''Show No Mercy''. In 1988, bassist Frank Partipilo joined the band and with this line up they recorded ''Live to Die'' and ''Silence Is Madness'' (1989).<ref name=Powell_Fe>{{cite book |last=Powell |first=Mark Allan |title=Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music |year=2002 |publisher=Hendrickson Publishers |location=Peabody, Massachusetts |isbn=1-56563-679-1 |edition=First printing |chapter=Bride |pages=[https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofco00mark/page/110 110–112] |chapter-url-access=registration |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofco00mark/page/110 }}</ref>
With their contract with Pure Metal Records about to end, the band released ''End of the Age'' in 1990, which is a compilation album of hits from their first three albums, as well as two new songs that would go to become Bride staples – ''Everybody Knows My Name'' and ''Same Ol' Sinner''. The album signaled the "end of an age" as the band shifted away from the heavy metal of their past towards a Guns N' Roses' influenced hard rock sound.
In 1991, Rick Foley (bass) and Jerry McBroom (drums) joined the band. With a new record deal with Star Song Records, the band released ''Kinetic Faith'' that year. The album spawned some hits in commercial radio. In 1992, it was announced that Dale would leave to join Stryper to replace Michael Sweet, but this never took place.<ref name=Powell_Fe /> They followed ''Kinetic Faith'' with ''Snakes in the Playground'' in 1992 and ''Scarecrow Messiah'' in 1994 before releasing another compilation album, ''Shotgun Wedding: 11 No. 1 Hits and Mrs.'', and finally parting ways with Starsong in 1995. All three albums produced many successful hits in Brazil, where the band has toured and been received with enormous crowds and fanbase.
That same year, the band signed a one-record deal with a new label called Rugged Records. They also welcomed a new bassist, Steve Curtsinger. ''Drop'' (1995) featured banjo and mandolin.<ref name=Powell_Fe />
In 1997, ''The Jesus Experience'', Bride's eighth studio album, was released on Organic Records. The album continued the band's alternative rock-style leanings while incorporating grunge and post-grunge overtones. A music video was made for the track "The Worm";<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP-9ScpeP6Y |title=BRIDE – The Worm (Videoclip)HD |date=September 13, 2015 |last=Steve Ray |access-date=October 18, 2024 |via=YouTube}}</ref> the song was released as a single in 1997.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Worm |date=1997 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/16968042-Bride-The-Worm |publisher=Discogs |access-date=October 18, 2024}}</ref> According to Dale Thompson during an interview in April 1997, the album's title was inspired by a conversation with an individual after the end of one of the band's concerts in Indiana.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/interviews/Bride.asp |title=Bride 1997 Jesusfreakhideout.com Interview |publisher=Jesusfreakhideout.com |access-date=October 18, 2024}}</ref>
In 1998, the band released ''Oddities''. Although intended to be a return to their roots, the album was more of a blend between alternative rock and hard rock.<ref name=Powell_Fe /> After some differences with the label, the band asked to be released from its contract. Sometime later, Curtsinger and was replaced with Andrew Wilkinson before Lawrence Bishop took the spot, McBroom also left and was replaced with Michael Loy.
Being picked up by Absolute Records and veering into rapcore territory,<ref name=Powell_Fe /> the band released ''Fist Full of Bees'' in 2001. The album was quickly disparaged by fans for containing nu metal and rapcore elements.
In 2003, the band independently released ''This Is It''. It was re-released in 2006 under Retrospective Records, digitally remastered and with bonus tracks and a new cover.
In 2006, Bride released ''Skin for Skin'', with guitar solos from former Bride guitarist Steve Osborne. The album was praised by Scott Waters of Ultimatum, who said it was "a logical step from 'This Is It' and is an honest and successful attempt to progress without worry of what is popular."<ref name="Waters">{{cite web |url=http://www.nolifetilmetal.com/bride.html |title=Bride |access-date=January 3, 2008 |author=Waters, Scott |publisher=No Life 'til Metal}}</ref>
The band reunited with former members, Jerry McBroom and Steve Osborne, to record their next album, ''Tsar Bomba'', which was released on October 27, 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sleazeroxx.com/news09/0613bri.shtml |title=Bride Finishes New CD 'Tsar Bomba' |access-date=July 5, 2009 |author=Skid |date=June 13, 2009 |publisher=Sleazeroxx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620070242/http://www.sleazeroxx.com/news09/0613bri.shtml |archive-date=June 20, 2009 }}</ref>
In 2011, Retroactive Records remastered and re-released the band's first three albums (''Show No Mercy'', ''Live to Die'', ''Silence Is Madness'') in a series called "The Originals". In addition, 2003's ''This Is It'' was also remastered to support the re-releases.
Original guitarist Steve Osborne died of suicide on November 16, 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.facebook.com/bridemetal/posts/10150392136713893 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/47849053892/10150392136713893 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |url-access=limited|title=Steve Osbourne suicide |access-date=June 23, 2012 |date=November 18, 2011 |publisher=Facebook}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
In December 2013, after 30 years, Dale Thompson announced that the band was coming to an end.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://untombed.com/bride-says-farewell-and-lightout/ |title=Bride says Farewell and Lightout | Christian Metal and Rock Online-Magazine |website=Untombed.com |access-date=December 27, 2013}}</ref>
The band released "Here is Your God" on Retroactive Records in November 2020 while announcing a new album of the same name, for release on CD on December 15, 2020, and on vinyl on March 10, 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.classicchristianrockzine.com/2020/11/heres-cover-song-and-release-date-of.html|title=Here's the cover, song and release date of Bride's upcoming album: "Here is your God"|first=Anthony|last=Martinez|work=Classic Christian Rock | The other side of Classic Rock |access-date=January 12, 2021}}</ref>
The band began working on a new album in 2022, announcing the release of "Are You Awake?" for early 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.classicchristianrockzine.net/2022/11/bride-announces-new-album-are-you-awake.html|title=Bride announces new album: Are you awake?|first=Anthony|last=Martinez|website=Classicchristianrockzine.net|access-date=May 21, 2023}}</ref>
In 2025, the band self released a double album titled "Vipers and Shadows".<ref>{{cite web | title=Christian Rockers Bride Returns with Double Album "Vipers and Shadows" | date=March 20, 2025 | url=https://xsrock.com/christian-rockers-bride-returns-with-double-album-vipers-and-shadows/ }}</ref>
== Band members == '''Current lineup''' * Dale Thompson – vocals * Troy Thompson – guitars * Frank Partipilo – bass (1988–1991, 2024–present) * Alexandre Aposan – drums
'''Former''' * Steve Osborne – guitar (1986–1988, 2006, 2009) <small>(died 2011)</small> * Scott Hall – bass (1986–1988) * Rick Foley – bass (1991–1994) * Steve Curtsinger – bass (1995–1998, 1999) * Stephen Rolland – drums (1986–1990) * Nenel Lucena – bass * Andrew Wilkinson – bass (1998–1999) * Michael Loy – drums (1999–2009) * Lawrence Bishop – bass (1999–2009) * G.D Watts – bass (2009–2013) * Jerry McBroom – drums (1991–1999, 2009–2013)
'''Timeline''' <timeline> ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:100 bottom:60 top:0 right:10 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = yyyy Period = from:1983 till:2014 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1983 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1983
Colors = id:Vocals value:red legend:Vocals id:Guitars value:green legend:Guitars id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums id:album value:black legend:Studio_release
LineData = layer:back color:album at:1986 at:1988 at:1989 at:1991 at:1992 at:1994 at:1995 at:1997 at:1998 at:2001 at:2003 at:2006 at:2009 at:2013
BarData = bar:DThompson text:"Dale Thompson" bar:TThompson text:"Troy Thompson" bar:SOsborne text:"Steve Osborne" bar:SHall text:"Scott Hall" bar:FPartipillo text:"Frank Partipillo" bar:RFoley text:"Rick Foley" bar:SCurtsinger text:"Steve Curtsinger" bar:AWilkinson text:"Andrew Wilkinson" bar:LBishop text:"Lawrence Bishop" bar:GDWatts text:"G.D. Watts" bar:SRolland text:"Stephen Rolland" bar:JMcBroom text:"Jerry McBroom" bar:MLoy text:"Michael Loy"
PlotData= width:10 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:DThompson from:1983 till:end color:Vocals bar:TThompson from:1983 till:end color:Guitars bar:SOsborne from:1986 till:1988 color:Guitars bar:SOsborne from:2006 till:2007 color:Guitars bar:SOsborne from:2009 till:2010 color:Guitars bar:SHall from:1986 till:1988 color:Bass bar:FPartipillo from:1988 till:1991 color:Bass bar:RFoley from:1991 till:1994 color:Bass bar:SCurtsinger from:1995 till:1998 color:Bass bar:SCurtsinger from:1999 till:1999 color:Bass bar:AWilkinson from:1998 till:1999 color:Bass bar:LBishop from:1999 till:2009 color:Bass bar:GDWatts from:2009 till:2013 color:Bass bar:SRolland from:1986 till:1990 color:Drums bar:JMcBroom from:1991 till:1999 color:Drums bar:MLoy from:1999 till:2009 color:Drums bar:JMcBroom from:2009 till:2013 color:Drums
</timeline>
== Discography == '''Main studio albums''' *''Show No Mercy'' (1986, Pure Metal) *''Live to Die'' (1988, Pure Metal) *''Silence Is Madness'' (1989, Pure Metal) *''Kinetic Faith'' (1991, Star Song) *''Snakes in the Playground'' (1992, Star Song) *''Scarecrow Messiah'' (1994, Star Song) *''Drop'' (1995, Rugged Records) *''The Jesus Experience'' (1997, Organic Records) *''Oddities'' (November 23, 1998, Organic, Reviews: ''HM Magazine''<ref name=HM_74>{{cite journal |last=Van Pelt |first=Doug |date=November–December 1998 |title=Album Reviews: BRIDE ''Oddities'' |journal=HM Magazine |issn=1066-6923 |issue=74 |page=131 |volume=78 |url=http://www.hmmagazine.com/issue74/74Albums.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010222184244/http://www.hmmagazine.com/issue74/74Albums.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 22, 2001}}<!--|access-date=April 24, 2007 --></ref>) *''Fist Full of Bees'' (2001, Absolute Records) *''This is It'' (2003, independent) *''Skin for Skin'' (2006, Retroactive Records) *''Tsar Bomba'' (2009, Retroactive Records) *''Incorruptible'' (2013, Retroactive Records) *''Snake Eyes'' (2018, independent) *''Here is Your God'' (2020, Retroactive Records) *''Are You Awake'' (2023, Retroactive Records) *''Vipers and Shadows'' (2025, independent)
'''Compilations and other releases''' *''End of the Age'' (1990, Star Song) *''Snakes in the Playground'' Special Collector's Edition (1992, Star Song) *''The Lost Reels'' (1994, independent) *''God Gave Rock and Roll to You'' single (1994, Star Song) *''I Predict a Clone'' – various artists (1994, REX 41004-2, a tribute to Steve Taylor) *''Shotgun Wedding: 11 No. 1 Hits and Mrs.'' (1995, Star Song) *''The Lost Reels II'' (1996, independent) *''The Worm'' single (1997, Organic) *''The Lost Reels III'' (1997, independent) *''Bride Live! Volume I'' (1999, Old School Records) *''Bride Live Volume II Acoustic'' (2000, Millennium Eight Records) *''Best of Bride'' (June 27, 2000, Organic Records) *''Live at Cornerstone 2001'' (2001, Millennium Eight Records) *''The Matrix Years & Lost Reels I'' (2001, Millennium Eight Records) *''The Organic Years'' (2002, Millennium Eight Records) *''This Is It'' (2006, Retroactive Records with bonus tracks) *''Bluegrass Gospel'' (2021, independent) *''Christmas'' (2021, independent) *''Eyes Wide Open'' EP (2023, Retroactive Records) *''The Lost Reels 4'' (2025, independent)
== Awards == Bride has received four Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association. Three awards were for "Hard Music Song" in 1992, 1993, and 1994.<ref name=DOVE_HS>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080206232306/http://www.doveawards.com/history/browse.cfm?cid=32 "Dove Award Recipients for HARD MUSIC RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR"]. Published by the Gospel Music Association. Retrieved February 5, 2007.</ref> The fourth award was at the 26th GMA Dove Awards in 1995 for "Hard Music Album" for ''Scarecrow Messiah''.<ref name=DOVE_HA>[https://web.archive.org/web/20071223020514/http://www.doveawards.com/history/browse.cfm?cid=31 "Dove Award Recipients for HARD MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR"]. Published by the Gospel Music Association. Retrieved February 5, 2007.</ref>
== See also == *List of Christian metal artists
== References == {{reflist}}
=== Further reading === * {{cite book |last=Hale |first=Mark |title=Headbangers |year=1993 |publisher=Popular Culture, Ink |location=Ann Arbor, Michigan |edition=First edition, second printing |isbn=1-56075-029-4 |chapter=0449 |page=53}} * {{cite journal |last=Van Pelt |first=Doug |date=May–June 1999 |title=Indie Album Reviews: BRIDE ''Oddities'' (video) |journal=HM Magazine |issn=1066-6923 |issue=77 |access-date=April 24, 2007 |url=http://www.hmmagazine.com/issue77/77Albumrevs.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010713015104/http://www.hmmagazine.com/issue77/77Albumrevs.htm |archive-date=July 13, 2001}}
== External links == * {{Official website|http://www.bridepub.com/}} * {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=bride-mn0000622606|label=Bride}} * {{Discogs artist|Bride|Bride}} * {{IMDb name|nm14751216}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bride}} Category:1983 establishments in Kentucky Category:2013 disestablishments in Kentucky Category:American Christian metal musical groups Category:Christian rock groups from Kentucky Category:American hard rock musical groups Category:American musical quartets Category:Heavy metal musical groups from Kentucky Category:Musical groups established in 1983 Category:Musical groups from Louisville, Kentucky