Steve Osborne displays virtuosic guitar playing throughout a minute-and-a-half-long instrumental interlude. The song proceeds slowly through its verses and gains momentum until it reaches an anthemic chorus backed by a powerful guitar riff. 'No Matter the Price' includes some keyboard playing, a brief drum solo, and some melodic rhythm guitar work. 'Thunder in the City' progresses aggressively until it peaks at the chorus. 'Thunder in the City' combines a fast combination of piano and rhythm guitar before slowing for its first verse. The song progresses through its verses and reaches its peak at its chorus. 'Show No Mercy' takes a slower pace with acoustic guitar playing, and the lyrics deal with spiritual warfare: 'I am strong and you are weak / Jesus gives me power to defeat / I can't be bought and / won't sell out/ The battle cry is good and loud/ Show no mercy!' 'I Will Be with You' starts with spooky keyboards, acoustic guitar, and bass. A quiet guitar interlude opens the album's title track, followed by a groovy riff.

The song breaks for a brief guitar solo before slowing to several seconds of acoustic guitar. Followed by a minute of lead guitar playing, the song closes hauntingly as Dale repeatedly wails 'forever in darkness.' 'Follow Your Heart' also contains a chorus in which Dale demonstrates a broader vocal range.

The album's opening track, 'Forever in Darkness,' is a fast, rhythm guitar and bass-driven song with an epic chorus. Stephen Rolland's drum work, based on traditional metal drumming and lacking double bass, would be heard on the band's following releases. Dale played bass on eight tracks and Scott Hall performed on the remaining two. Troy Thompson and Steve Osborne handled the album's guitar duties. Musically, the album features a dark, heavy metal style with occasional speed metal influences and Dale Thompson's high-pitched and pseudo-operatic lead vocals. The album ended up rushed, with the production being thin and muddy. According to the band, when entering the studio in October 1985, they incorrectly believed it had to meet a release date only a month away. Д«ride's budget to record Show No Mercy was $2500. Six months later, the band changed its name to Bride and were signed to Pure Metal Records, Refuge Records' Christian metal-focused imprint established specifically to market Bride. The band caught the label's attention when the band sold out of all the tapes they brought to the show, which led to the label contacting Matrix. Among this crowd were executives from Refuge Music Group. The Thompsons were joined by guitarist Billy Sutherland and drummer Steve Gilbert to perform for a crowd of 1000. After recording four demo tapes as Matrix over the previous three years, brothers Dale and Troy Thompson got their chance when promoter Dorn Repport arranged for Matrix to open for Daniel Band in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

Do not hesitate show no mercy