The Lunchbox Block - Dec 2025

Join us as we listen to some of the best Christian Music From the 70s 80s and 90s. Be a part of our show by requesting your favorites from that time period. Our Lunchbox block is a great place to spend your lunch break as we enjoy some casual banter, interesting articles, intriguing recipes, and encouragement with our daily Powerverse! All that and much more awaits you when you tune in to the KMTM Lunchbox Block With Brando and Joel! Can't wait to see you there!

“Show No Mercy” Is Bride’s Debut Album Released in 1986 Published By Pure Metal Records. Back when Bride was still known as “Matrix” they opened for Daniel Band and in the crowd were some of the executives for the “Refuge Music” Group which were impressed by their act after “Matrix” sold all the Demo tapes they brought. Six Months later they signed to “Pure Metal Records” which was made by Refuge Records specifically for Bride. With a budget of $2500 they set out to make their first album starting in October 1985, which was rushed because they misunderstood the deadline affecting the quality of the Album.

“Show No Mercy" opens with one of the Favorites on our Station “Evil That Men Do”. This one keeps the energy all throughout the song using a simple catchy chorus and the title as a hook. The song opens up with the lines “I need no one to show me, The way that I should live my life, I have no fears, I have no regrets, I have no need to apologize” this opening line is a statement to be set apart from the rest of society and the rest of the song follows suit “Don’t use me for, Evil, Evil that men do” it isn't just a call to attention it’s a prayer of deliverance. Dale Thompson’s Voice is used to full effect the entirety of this album. His high pitched Glam Metal Screams hit the mark in this song especially. “Now he is Gone” came out before, but it heavily reminds me of “All Hallows Eve” (Bride “Silence is Madness” [89]). It is just slower in the chorus. This song is where the more cryptic lyrics start. Without context, I don’t think I would know this is a Jesus song. With what my brain can piece together, it’s about those left after the crucifixion of Christ, those who inherit the spark and those who turn away.

“Fly Away” this one starts slower than the rest but picks up soon. This song is also about how Bride declares to set itself apart while admitting “Life will take its toll” and then follows with “I’ll get it with or without pain and strife, He suffered once, I will too,”. The composition feels like it gets somewhat sloppy in certain songs on this album but the guitar led by Troy Thompson and Steve Osborne does not let us down.

“Forever in Darkness” is about the rapture particularly the fate of the unbelievers during it with the chilling chorus “Forever in darkness away from rain, Forever in darkness to wear the chains” especially chilling when Dale repeats the line as the song fades out. The tempo of this song is surprisingly upbeat for the message; it isn't until the end of the song that the beat follows the theme.

The title track “Show No Mercy” is a battlecry about drawing strength from Jesus to win the fight, acknowledging spiritual warfare showing no mercy to sin. The layout of this song is definitely befitting of an anthem, with the slow buildup at the start, the unwavering attitude, and the rest of the band joining the chorus.

“Thunder in the City” is another declaration of faith that starts with a slow buildup featuring some piano, before eventually exploding as the beat kicks in accompanied by several computer effects.

“No Matter the Price” is probably my favorite song on the album. It starts with computer effects leading into triumphant guitar and Dale’s High pitch vocal. This song has it all: guitar, unique vocals, and the message that I look for in Christian music. It is another battlecry, this time stating what is at risk if we don’t stand for Christ.

“The First Will Be Last” is the final track on the album as the title says this song is about how God will flip the expectations of the world come end times as God's people will be glorified while the world shall crumble. One last time in the album the beat starts slower till we reach a halfway point where it slows down for some dialog then eventually kicks up again.

Overall This album has multiple memorable tracks for me my favorites being “No Matter the Price” and “Evil That Men Do” the message and composition get somewhat sloppy and inconsistent multiple times in this album but for thinking they had a month to complete it it’s still pretty good. The message of the album, while cryptic at times, is very consistent, a declaration that they will follow Christ and warning others of damnation.