Smash Alley Underground is a Heavy Metal/Alternative band from Winston-Salem, North Carolina that formed back in 1991. The band's sound can be compared to that of Ozzy Osbourne or even David Benson. The band's arrangements incorporate 80's era Metal 6-string shred along with Doomy down-tuned guitars with everything bathed in a 90's era Alternative Rock sound. Yes, this N.C. band's sound is definitely off the beaten path and upon first listen, can be somewhat difficult to grasp and wrap ones head around.
In the early 90's, not long after the band's conception, SAU recorded a few politically inspired tracks that unfortunately were never released or published on an official album. This just might be a good project for some of those labels out there that track down underground bands and there rare & unreleased recordings.
In the early 90's, not long after the band's conception, SAU recorded a few politically inspired tracks that unfortunately were never released or published on an official album. This just might be a good project for some of those labels out there that track down underground bands and there rare & unreleased recordings.
"There are 6 laws just like the law of gravity. If you don't believe in the law of gravity and you jump
off a building you're gonna fall to the ground. So, it's the same thing with spiritual laws of the bible. You can
choose not to believe it but it is still going to affect you and your life. Your going to have tragedy after tragedy
after unspeakable tragedy if your not serving Jesus Christ." - Smash Alley Underground -
off a building you're gonna fall to the ground. So, it's the same thing with spiritual laws of the bible. You can
choose not to believe it but it is still going to affect you and your life. Your going to have tragedy after tragedy
after unspeakable tragedy if your not serving Jesus Christ." - Smash Alley Underground -
In 1995 Smash Alley Underground released their full-length debut album titled Rising From The Shadow's on an indie label. This is a rare and hard to find album that has been out of print for quite some time now. With this 1995 recording being released in the thick of the Alternative/Grunge music scene, the rule of law was that you either conform or die. Smash Alley Underground chose to conform without losing the heart 'n soul of their Metal roots. Rising From The Shadow's finds SAU playing old-school Metal with an Alternative twist while incorporating a wide range of ingredients into their pot. The band has included 80's Metal, Groove Metal, Alternative, Stoner Metal, and plenty of down-tuned Doomy guitars to complete their molten liquid soup. This is one of those releases that might take a little time and a few spins of the disc for it to grow on the listener. This is because the band's sound is a bit different from the norm and there's a lot going on in the arrangements.
The track-list for Rising From The Shadow's includes 1.Back Alley Shadows 2.Execution Time 3.Long Shot Gamble 4.Ride the Clouds 5.Never Suicide 6.Morning Starlight 7.Picture in My Head 8.Running in Circles
9.Make Your Move 10.Hot Rod Cruiser 11.Chased by the Enemy.
The track-list for Rising From The Shadow's includes 1.Back Alley Shadows 2.Execution Time 3.Long Shot Gamble 4.Ride the Clouds 5.Never Suicide 6.Morning Starlight 7.Picture in My Head 8.Running in Circles
9.Make Your Move 10.Hot Rod Cruiser 11.Chased by the Enemy.
Lead vocalist-Niel Bright's delivery can be compared to vocalists - David Benson & Vince Neil(Mötley Crüe). If you imagine adding an alternative twist to both Vince & Benson's vocals then what you are left with is something similar to that of frontman-Niel Bright.
The guitar section is managed by lead guitarist-David Walker and guitarist-Vernon Hensley. Throughout this 1995 album, Walker & Hensley's guitar work takes on a doomy down-tuned guitar sound mixed with 80's era guitar solos. On the instrumental track "Chased By The Enemy", Walker & Hensley take the opportunity to show their prowess as they shred the stage to pieces reaching near Speed Metal territory.
Lyrics are evangelical as one can see in the following excerpts:
"Ride The Clouds"
I'm going up with the King of Kings
And gonna crack the eastern skies
Bye, say goodbye
Cause I'm gonna ride the clouds in the sky
Bye, say goodbye
Cause I'm gonna ride the clouds in the sky
"Never Suicide"
When you feel like there's nothing left to do
You feel like your paralyzed
And you feel like your up against a wall
Your all out of alibies
When your terrified
Your life is a roller-coaster ride
Never suicide
When your terrified
Your life is a roller-coaster ride
Never suicide
Never suicide
"Morning Starlight"
(Rev 22:16)
Can't you hear the voice of the Spirit
Can't you tell what has got you free
Can't you feel His presence around you
Don't you know who set you free
I've been transformed by the Morning Starlight
I've been set free
By the Morning Starlight
"Picture In My Head"
Faith is the only way
To please my God
Or ever get to heaven
I know what faith is all about
And I found out
Faith is the only way to go
If your ever gonna make things happen
I know it works without a doubt
Oh it makes me want to shout it out
"Make Your Move"
Streets of gold
They are awaiting you
The Master's reaching out His hands
A crown of life
Solid gates of pearl
Just tryin' the reach the promised land
Tomorrow may not come
There's no time for hesitation
Reach for the King of Kings
Today's the day of your salvation
Oh! You gotta get real
Make your move tonight
You gotta get real
Come on now
Make your move tonight
Tomorrow may not come
Make your move tonight
Reach for the King of Kings
I'm going up with the King of Kings
And gonna crack the eastern skies
Bye, say goodbye
Cause I'm gonna ride the clouds in the sky
Bye, say goodbye
Cause I'm gonna ride the clouds in the sky
"Never Suicide"
When you feel like there's nothing left to do
You feel like your paralyzed
And you feel like your up against a wall
Your all out of alibies
When your terrified
Your life is a roller-coaster ride
Never suicide
When your terrified
Your life is a roller-coaster ride
Never suicide
Never suicide
"Morning Starlight"
(Rev 22:16)
Can't you hear the voice of the Spirit
Can't you tell what has got you free
Can't you feel His presence around you
Don't you know who set you free
I've been transformed by the Morning Starlight
I've been set free
By the Morning Starlight
"Picture In My Head"
Faith is the only way
To please my God
Or ever get to heaven
I know what faith is all about
And I found out
Faith is the only way to go
If your ever gonna make things happen
I know it works without a doubt
Oh it makes me want to shout it out
"Make Your Move"
Streets of gold
They are awaiting you
The Master's reaching out His hands
A crown of life
Solid gates of pearl
Just tryin' the reach the promised land
Tomorrow may not come
There's no time for hesitation
Reach for the King of Kings
Today's the day of your salvation
Oh! You gotta get real
Make your move tonight
You gotta get real
Come on now
Make your move tonight
Tomorrow may not come
Make your move tonight
Reach for the King of Kings
After releasing their debut album, the band followed-up with a 9-song LIVE in concert DVD which can be found on YouTube and appears to have been self-titled. This LIVE DVD features songs from their '95 Rising From The Shadow's release.
Smash Alley Underground is for fans of Ozzy Osbourne and David Benson. If you didn't mind the Alternative Rock scene and you love 80's era Metal music then check out this underground band from NC. If you are a collector of rare and hard to find old-school Metal bands then give this recording a spin and you might just find that you like what you hear. With the release of Rising From The Shadow's, SAU has delivered up a solid offering that desperately needs to be reissued by some respectable label so that it can once again find its way into listener's hands!
Musicians:
Niel Bright - Lead Vocals
David A. Walker - Lead Guitars, Vocals, Keys, Flute, Harmonica
Vernon Hensley- Guitars
John Hatchel - Drums
Niel Bright - Lead Vocals
David A. Walker - Lead Guitars, Vocals, Keys, Flute, Harmonica
Vernon Hensley- Guitars
John Hatchel - Drums