News: Bride’s ‘Scarecrow Messiah’ Rises Again with Collector’s Edition CD and First-Ever Vinyl Pressing
— A Hard Rock Milestone Remastered for a New Generation
Back in 1994, the Christian rock scene was shifting just as dramatically as the rest of the musical world. Grunge had crept in and altered the landscape, but while other bands were watering down their message or changing their sound to blend in, Bride came out swinging. Scarecrow Messiah, their follow-up to the critically adored Snakes in the Playground, wasn’t a pivot. It was a battle cry.
Now, 30 years later, that raw, unflinching album is getting the deluxe treatment it deserves—courtesy of Girder Records. As of April 10, pre-orders opened for a limited Collector’s Edition CD and, for the first time ever, Scarecrow Messiah on vinyl. And not just any vinyl—two unique variants, both loaded with exclusive extras.
A Defining Moment, Reborn
Frontman Dale Thompson’s signature shrieks and brother Troy Thompson’s shredding riffs made Scarecrow Messiah a spiritual gut-punch of an album. Tracks like “Beast,” “Murder,” and the title cut showed a band unafraid to confront darkness while shining with purpose. If Snakes was a declaration, Scarecrow was the reckoning.
“It wasn’t just music—it was the soundtrack of change,” Dale reflects. “Scarecrow Messiah marked the closing chapter of one powerful Bride era and the dawn of another.”
That era is now being reintroduced to longtime fans and new listeners with a care and reverence rarely seen in reissues.
What You Get
This isn’t just a reprint—it’s a remastering of history.
Collector’s Edition CD
- Remastered by Rob Colwell
- 16-page expanded booklet with lyrics, vintage photos, and commentary from Dale Thompson
- Custom collector sleeve and limited-edition collector card
- Limited to just 500 copies
Limited Run Vinyl (First-Ever Vinyl Pressing)
- Crystal Clear “Glass Vial” Edition – includes printed, autographed handwritten lyrics of “Beast”
- Ocean Blue “Shockwave” Edition – includes printed, autographed handwritten lyrics of “Scarecrow”
- Both pressed in high-gloss jackets with two-sided printed inner sleeves
- Only 250 copies of each variant exist
MEGA Collector’s Bundle (Limited to 150)
- Includes both vinyl editions, the Collector’s CD, a 12×12 autographed record flat signed by Dale and Troy, and an exclusive Bride collector card
Doug Van Pelt, founder of Heaven’s Metal Magazine, sums it up like this:
“To forget about this album would be like an American ignoring the majesty of Mount Rushmore. It’s that important.”
Legacy Still Loud
Even today, Bride continues to find new ears. “Beast” alone has clocked over 237,000 streams on Spotify, and the band maintains over 14,000 monthly listeners, proof that their message and muscle are as vital as ever.
Whether you were there in ’94 or just discovering the fire, this reissue is a must-have. Limited quantities are available now at GirderMusic.com—and like any true Bride show back in the day, it’s first come, first served.
Don’t sleep on it.
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