Living Sacrifice

Living Sacrifice
Origin Pulaski County, Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
Genres Christian metal, extreme metal, hardcore punk
Years active 1989–2005, 2008–present
Labels R.E.X., Solid State
Associated acts Eso-Charis, Soul Embraced, Fear is the Driving Force, Kill System
Website Living Sacrifice on Facebook
Members Bruce Fitzhugh
Rocky Gray
Lance Garvin
Arthur Green
Past members Darren Johnson
Jason Truby
Chris Truby
Cory Putman
Matthew Putman
Jay Stacey

Living Sacrifice is an American heavy metal band formed in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1989. The band has released eight studio albums, out of which the first three were recorded under R.E.X. Records with their original vocalist Darren Johnson as a more thrash metal and death metal oriented band. The band evolved into a groove metal/metalcore style beginning with Reborn (1997) under Solid State Records with the original guitarist Bruce Fitzhugh on vocals. In 2003, the group split up, due to other projects and later their label, Solid State, released their best-of album, In Memoriam (2005). In 2008, Living Sacrifice reformed and released a two-song digital only single called Death Machine. They then began working on The Infinite Order which was released on January 26, 2010. Lance Garvin and Bruce Fitzhugh are the two remaining original members.

History

Living Sacrifice was one of the first Christian death metal bands along with Sacrament and Mortification. The band, whose name is derived from Romans 12:1, formed in 1989 by Darren "D.J." Johnson (bass/vocals), Bruce Fitzhugh (guitar) and Lance Garvin (drums). Later Jason Truby joined in on guitar. They recorded a demo, Not Yielding to Ungodly, which got into the hands of Kurt Bachman and Joey Daub from Believer, who signed them to R.E.X. Records.

In 1991, Living Sacrifice's self-titled debut was released on R.E.X. Records. The album received much comparison to thrash metal groups of the time, especially Slayer. In 1992, Living Sacrifice released their second album, Nonexistent. In this album, Living Sacrifice switched from thrash metal to down-tuned death metal, and D.J. started experimenting with a death growl in his vocal approach. The members have said that they were disappointed with the experience of making this album and that the producer was to blame.

In 1994, the band released a third album, Inhabit, which is considered by some to be the heaviest of all Living Sacrifice albums. On Inhabit, D.J. returned to a more thrash-oriented vocal approach, deeper and lower in tone than his vocals on the band's debut. To support the album, the band embarked on a tour with Malevolent Creation.[1] After this recording R.E.X. went bankrupt, and Living Sacrifice signed onto Solid State Records seeking to widen their audience.[2]

After this, D.J. left the band to follow non-musical ministry, and Bruce took over vocals.[2] Jason's brother, Chris, also joined on bass. With this new lineup, Living Sacrifice recorded Reborn, their Solid State debut, in 1997. The band started to play a mix of groove metal and metalcore.[3] Reborn is considered the most influential of all Living Sacrifice records and earned them a larger non-Christian fanbase. After this record, Chris and Jason left the band and Jay Stacy filled in on bass, but was later replaced by Arthur Green, formerly of Eso-Charis. Cory Brandan played guitar for a tour through Norway and Sweden but was then replaced by Rocky Gray (who would go on to play drums in Evanescence and We Are the Fallen and guitar in Soul Embraced.)

At the end of 1999, Matthew Putman joined Living Sacrifice as a percussionist. In 2000, Living Sacrifice recorded their fifth full-length album, The Hammering Process, with a more rhythmical sound—more oriented towards groove metal. Bruce also sang in one Evanescence song, "Lies". In 2001, A Tribute to Living Sacrifice was released. The album contains covers of many Living Sacrifice songs by other metal bands and former members, and a Living Sacrifice song from a split EP, Metamorphosis, released in 1993. In 2002, Living Sacrifice entered the studio again, resulting in the album Conceived in Fire.

In June 2003, Living Sacrifice cancelled the rest of one of their tours and announced that Living Sacrifice was disbanding.[4][5]

Each of the band members had other duties that had to be committed to, such as Lance Garvin and Rocky Gray's Soul Embraced, and felt it was time to move on.[5] According to several interviews, it was only supposed to be Bruce Fitzhugh's final tour, and after he left, Cory Brandan Putman was supposed to take over Lead Vocals and Rhythm Guitar, and Bryan Gray, formerly of The Blamed was to take over Lead Guitar.[6][7][8][9]

In March 2005, In Memoriam was released by Solid State Records. It is a "best of" album, containing three "newly written and recorded songs by Lance Garvin, Rocky Gray and Bruce Fitzhugh", two songs from each Living Sacrifice album, plus "Enthroned", a 1998 cover of a song originally released on 1992's Nonexistent. The three new songs are "In Christ", "Killers", and "The Power of God". In 2007, Bruce Fitzhugh was featured on the song "Sixteen", on Demon Hunter's fourth album Storm the Gates of Hell.

On February 4, 2008, a newly created official MySpace page was updated to announce the reformation of the band. They also announced their support of Demon Hunter in the "Stronger Than Hell" tour from May 26 through July 5, 2008. On June 10, 2008, Living Sacrifice released a two-song, online-only sampler, Death Machine. On the same day at the Dallas, Texas date of the "Stronger Than Hell" tour, Vocalist/Rhythm Guitarist Bruce Fitzhugh announced that the band was working on a new CD which they hoped to release in 2009. The album release was delayed by Solid State and eventually came out on January 26, 2010. A music video for their lead single off The Infinite Order, "Rules of Engagement", was aired December 22.[10]

The band's seventh studio album, The Infinite Order, was released January 26, 2010 via Solid State Records.[11] The album features the voices of David Bunton from The Showdown, Joe Musten from Advent and Beloved, and guitarist Jason Truby.[12] The album was mixed and mastered by Andy Sneap, Hell guitarist.[12] Track three references the phrase "God is dead" by Friedrich Nietzsche.[13] Released in November, the deluxe edition contained three additional tracks, two live songs and a new track.[14]

In 2013, after three years of touring, Living Sacrifice recorded their eighth album, Ghost Thief, released November 12, 2013 on Solid State Records.[15] The first song named "The Reaping" was premiered on October 17, 2013 on the Solid State YouTube page. The album features the guest voices of Ryan Clark from Demon Hunter on "Screwtape", and Dave Peters from Throwdown on "Despair".[16] The title song, "Ghost Thief", premiered November 6, 2013 on Revolver magazine website.[17] Living Sacrifice is featured on the Killing Floor 2 Soundtrack.[18] The band performed their first shows of 2017 on the ShipRocked cruise alongside bands such as Pop Evil, Breaking Benjamin, Papa Roach, Sevendust and Lacey Sturm.[19]

According to former vocalist DJ Johnson, a friend of the band's is developing a documentary of the band.[1] In 2017, the band released "New Day" on a benefit compilation, We Bear the Scars. The track was originally supposed to be a part of The Hammering Process, but the band and producer Barry Poynter lost the track during the mixing process.[20]

Musical style and legacy

The band's style has been described as Christian metal,[21] death metal,[22][23] thrash metal,[22][24] groove metal,[22] hardcore punk,[25] metalcore,[26] and grindcore.[27]

Bands that have named Living Sacrifice an influence include: As I Lay Dying,[28] Throwdown,[28] Demon Hunter,[28] Underøath,[28] Haste the Day,[29] Saving Grace,[30] 7 Horns 7 Eyes[31] and many more.

Band members

Current members
Name Instrument Years Other groups
Bruce Fitzhugh rhythm guitar, lead vocals 1989-2003, 2005, 2008–present
Rocky Gray lead guitar, backing vocals 1999–2003, 2005, 2008–present Evanescence, Soul Embraced, We Are the Fallen, Solus Deus, Machina, Shredded Corpse, Kill System
Arthur Green Bass 1999–2003, 2008–present Eso-Charis, Elliot
Lance Garvin drums, auxiliary percussion 1989–2003, 2005, 2008–present Soul Embraced, Zao, Throwdown, Kill System
Past members
Name Instrument Years Other groups
Matt Putman auxiliary percussion, backing vocals 1998 (live) 1999–2003 Eso-Charis, Elliot, Lovedrug, Unwed Sailor, Fear is the Driving Force, Bear Colony, Snailhuntr, Ester Drang, The Last Royals
Darren "DJ" Johnson lead vocals, bass 1989–1995, 2014 (Live), 2018 (Live)
Jason Truby lead guitar, backing vocals 1989–1998 P.O.D.
Chris Truby bass 1995–1998
Cory Brandan Putman lead guitar, backing vocals 1998, 2003 Eso-Charis, Elliot, Norma Jean, Uses Fire, The Handshake Murders, Fear is the Driving Force, The Radio Sky
Jay Stacey bass 1998–1999
Live musicians
Name Instrument Years Other groups
Chad Wilburn auxiliary percussion 1998 Mindrage, Society's Finest
Jim Chaffin drums 2011 The Crucified, The Blamed, Deliverance
Josh Childers lead guitar 2010 The Showdown
Mark Garza drums 2010 Embodyment, The Famine
Brian Shorter[32] lead guitar 2017 Destroy Destroy Destroy

Timeline

Discography

Living Sacrifice discography
Studio albums 8
Compilation albums 1
Music videos 4
EPs 3

Studio albums

Year Title Label
1991 Living Sacrifice R.E.X.
1992 Nonexistent
1994 Inhabit
1997 Reborn Solid State
2000 The Hammering Process
2002 Conceived in Fire
2010 The Infinite Order
2013 Ghost Thief

EPs

Demo

  • Not Yielding to Ungodly (1989)

Compilation

  • In Memoriam (best of, compilation, 2005)

DVDs

  • In Finite Live (DVD, 2011)[33]

Other songs

  • "Overkill Exposure" (rough mix) (a single track only given out through the 2009 Fuel magazine sampler)
  • "Something More" (a single re-recorded track from Reborn put on the Killing Floor 2 Soundtrack)
  • "New Day" (a song that was originally supposed to be a part of The Hammering Process but was lost during mixing. It was released finally on We Bear the Scars, a benefit compilation for Timothy Henderson of Warlord)[20]

Music videos

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Turner, Trav (August 27, 2017). "DJ Sacrifice". As The Story Grows Podcast. Retrieved September 12, 2017.
  2. 1 2 Macintosh, Dan (July–August 1997). "Living Sacrifice". HM Magazine (66). Archived from the original on September 18, 2000. Retrieved April 30, 2007.
  3. ↑ "Living Sacrifice, 'Reborn' 2004 Re-release Review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. January 27, 2004. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Living Sacrifice breaks-up". Lambgoat. May 14, 2003. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
  5. 1 2 Allen, David (May 12, 2003). "Archived copy". HxC.com. Archived from the original on May 26, 2003. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  6. ↑ Putman, Cory Brandan (August 23, 2015). "Cory Putman of Norma Jean". Interviewed by Trav Turner. As The Story Grows. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  7. ↑ Fitzhugh, Bruce (September 20, 2015). "Bruce Fitzhugh of Living Sacrifice". Interviewed by Trav Turner & Stephen Sarro. As The Story Grows. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  8. ↑ Fitzhugh, Bruce (March 3, 2015). "Gently Crushing You". Interviewed by Mark Salomon. Never Was. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  9. ↑ Fitzhugh, Bruce (March 17, 2015). "Ghost Thief of Your Heart". Interviewed by Mark Salomon. Never Was. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Living Sacrifice, 'Rules of Engagement' - Video Premiere". Noisecreep. December 22, 2009. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  11. ↑ "Solid State Records - The Infinite Order". Solid State Records. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
  12. 1 2 "Living Sacrifice - The Infinite Order". AllMusic. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
  13. ↑ Colgan, Chris (April 15, 2010). "Living Sacrifice: The Infinite Order". PopMatters. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Living Sacrifice To Release Deluxe Edition Of "The Infinite Order"". Blabbermouth.net. November 5, 2010. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Living Sacrifice, 'Ghost Thief'". ThePRP. October 9, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Living Sacrifice To Release New Album In November, Demon Hunter & Throwdown Frontmen To Guest - Theprp.com". October 9, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
  17. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 4, 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
  18. ↑ Wookubus (February 25, 2015). "Demon Hunter, Living Sacrifice, Impending Doom & More Featured On "Killing Floor 2" Soundtrack". Theprp. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  19. ↑ Ramanand, Liz (January 25, 2017). "ShipRocked 2017: Day 2 - Stitched Up Heart, The Stowaways, Breaking Benjamin + More". Loudwire. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  20. 1 2 Jones, Brandon (October 5, 2017). "We Bear the Scars Benefit Compilation (Featuring a Collection of Old and New Bands Alike)". Indie Vision Music. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  21. ↑ Sciarretto, Amy (February 2000). "A Joyful Noise? Christian Metalcore". CMJ New Music Monthly (78): 70. ISSN 1074-6978.
  22. 1 2 3 Islander (February 3, 2010). "NO CLEAN SINGING » LIVING SACRIFICE: THE INFINITE ORDER". No Clean Singing. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  23. ↑ Anderson, Jason. "Nonexistent - Living Sacrifice". AllMusic. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Living Sacrifice, 'Living Sacrifice' 1999 Review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. June 15, 1999. Retrieved November 18, 2011.
  25. ↑ Keel, Fred (November 6, 2008). "Living Sacrifice; Reborn 2004 Re-release Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  26. ↑ Downey, Ryan. "Living Sacrifice". AllMusic. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Living Sacrifice". Billboard. March 26, 1994. p. 118. Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  28. 1 2 3 4 Van Pelt, Doug (November 3, 2009). "Living Sacrifices new release looms on horizon". HM Magazine. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Interview with Mike Murphy of Haste the Day". HM Magazine. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  30. ↑ Houston, Rob. "Saving Grace". HM Magazine. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  31. ↑ 7 Horns 7 Eyes. "About". Facebook. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  32. ↑ Shorter, Brian (October 4, 2017). "Great show last night in Netherlands. We had a blast! #livingsacrifice". Instagram. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  33. ↑ "Living Sacrifice Reveals DVD Details". Retrieved November 8, 2017.

Further reading

  • "Living Sacrifice". 7ball (14). September–October 1997.
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