I had high hopes for this one, but am left with the feeling of potential unrealized. It's not that the guys don't still have the chops - they definitely do. Troy has laid down some great riffs and Dale still has at least most of his range and power from the band's heyday. It's the muddy production that I can't get past. The drums sound muffled and the overall "sonics" of it are just really underwhelming. I wanted it to crackle and saw my head off and instead it just felt like mediocre demo production quality - and not in that good way where the rough edges give it energy. More like, "we didn't spend much time or $$$ on it." That's probably not true and this is the sound they really wanted to go for. I just don't like it and it doesn't stand up well against "Snakes in the Playground" or "Scarecrow Messiah," much less returns from other 80s metal bands still doing good music such as Stryper.I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars just because the songs are pretty good and Dale and Troy still have the ability. The production values just aren't there.

I have NO IDEA what Bride CD you are listening to.....but your critique is VERY wrong. Production is a strength, not a weakness. It's a brilliant album in every way!!!! I guess haters are gonna hate.

These officially come out next month on the 21st of August, but my vinyls and posters arrived yesterday... and a thing of beauty, they are... ;)