Welcome to the SNAKE NATION RESERVATION! A fans memorial made with permission.
Im sure everyone has that one band or release that just carries with you throughout life in an almost haunting way. For me that band is Snake Nation, not only did Woody Weatherman and Mike Dean make a huge impact on my life with the release of Corrosion of Conformity's "Animosity" but even more so was the indelible mark left with their post-COC outing of Snake Nation. Overlooked by many, to me this is the most defining release of a lifetime capturing all of my favorite genre styles in one fowl sweep. Snake Nation is in my opinion the only band to ever successfully crossover punk, hardcore, psyche, garage, classic rock and heavy metal. What by todays standards may be considered Stoner Rock. But mind you this long before the term even coined. Snake Nation may follow somewhat in the footsteps Saint Vitus and the Obsessed at mere glance but theres is nary a hint of Sabbath in these grooves. Totally original and nearly untraceable Snake Nation is a phenomena by definition.
Mike Dean is undeniably the best bass player to ever grace the instrument! And Ill stand by that to the death... And Woody Weatherman should be the idol of every guitar player to strike a chord for his sheer ability to flow seamlessly through styles and defy with ease the barriers that set apart genres. Brian Walsby sits as a natural behind them and his kindred spirit is obvious with every hit. Crusty obscure minimalistic Hendrixesque moments mixed into the unorthodox punk, hardcore, metal hybrid that COC innovated years earlier makes Snake Nation a monument of ROCK!
Anyone who has ever heard my own material (Upwards of Endtime and Earthlord) can listen to Snake Nation and easily note the production lead I take from this band. Straight forward, raw and put fourth with the only care of lettin go and gettin tape and be that by any means necessary. The first Black Sabbath record and Black Flags "Slip It In" are noted as production points and that says it all in my opinion. Originally released in 1989 on both vinyl and cassette. For some reason Caroline neglected to release Snake Nation on CD even though they were issuing other new releases on CD at the time. Still I pray for its CD reissue on a near daily basis. The most important thing to note is that ownership of both the LP and cassette are mandatory for the Snake Nation fan as the cassette has 3 bonus tracks and the LP the better sound quality. Another reason I cant understand why there wasnt an original CD release as the time constraints of vinyl would of not applied. Here are the track listings of each:
Vinyl version:
(History; This Nation; Ive Seen The Man; Behind The Flag; Babylon; My Head Feels Like Several; Beautiful Hills; Ill Never Shake You; Process of the Spiral)Cassette version:
(History; Green God*; This Nation; Ive Seen The Man; Behind The Flag; Process of the Spiral; My Head Feels Like Several; Beautiful Hills; Ill Never Shake You; Monstrosity*; Babylon; Waltz of the Toad of the Sisteren*) *bonus tracksI want to thank the guys in Snake Nation for allowing this page to exist and if you havent heard Snake Nation and are a fan of both Corrosion of Conformity old and new I recommend you get your hands on this spiritually life changing release! And please spread the good word of Snake Nation so maybe we can one day see a proper CD release! -Phil Swanson
If anyone has additional info or pics please send them to: [email protected]
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