This was the first Living Sacrifice album I ever got. And I'll be forthright- I bought it because of the cover artwork alone. Never heard of them before that fateful day in the local Christian bookstore, didn't know of anyone to give me any type of recommendation. . .the cover was just the coolest I've ever seen of any death metal album, Christian or not. A black-on-black photo of the band standing amid a pile of skulls and bones. Simply cool.
The content didn't disappoint, either. After popping it into my car's tape deck, the intense blast-beats and brutal guitar riffs of "Enthroned" slammed me against my seat. What sets Nonexistent apart from the usual death metal stew, though, is the peppering of different musical elements: an acoustic interlude here, a bit of industrial sampling there; it gives this disc an atmospheric feel. The vocals, although fitting with the style, are totally indiscernible, sounding like someone's growling vowels throughout. Perhaps to encourage the listener to read the lyrics. I don't know.
Would I recommend Nonexistent to my non-saved black metal friends? Most definitely. And since Solid State Records has re-released this CD, it's easier to find. . .
7.5/10
Other coverage for this album
Dead Zine 2002Reviewed by CeebPlease everyone don't get me wrong when I say that I really didn't appreciate this LS album as much as I thought that I would. You see, I've been spoiled with the new album, and have also heard certain songs off this album with the new singer. The exact reason that I don't like this album is one of the keys to why I gave Reborn a perfect ten. The vocalist. There has to be a certain sound…Art for the Ears 1999Reviewed by Marco PovervestIt's not a secret that Living Sacrifice's Reborn was a profitable release for Solid State Records. This must have led to requests for the re-release of older albums. One of LS's older albums is Nonexistent (1992), their second. Their first album was an absolute Slayer rip-off album, not bad though. Nonexistent proved that the band could go their own direction, away from Slayer. This album…The Lighthouse February 1993Reviewed by Brad MatternAre you ready to Die? The brutal new sound of Living Sacrifice is totally mind blowing. The vocals are so hard to understand, D.J. sounds like a monster from hell dying. As the album starts with "Emerge," you wouldn't think this album was so heavy, it starts off with an acoustic intro, like a lot of the other songs. "Haven Of Blasphemy," is a totally killer track. It comes off of their EP Not…Heaven's Metal #39Reviewed by Spiny NormanTotally brutal! One listen to cut #2, the title track, and you know you've got something special here, with lightning fast double rhythms. The leads on top of the rhythms here have that cool wah-wah effect. The lead-off cut, "Enthroned," features a flurry of sound interspersed with some very tasteful acoustic guitar picking. This acoustic touch welds the first two songs together (along with the…Salt #14Reviewed by UnknownAh yes. The second helping of molten metal by our neighbors from Little Rock, Arkansas. I've been super anxious for this disc to come out. And my hopes were multiplied in hearing that this one is so brutal some major "secular" labels are looking to sign this deserving band. Upon listening, the only thing to squelch my excitement was that it seemed each song sounded too much alike. Though this is…Similar sounding releases
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1990No Yielding to Ungodly
1997Reborn
2002Conceived In Fire
2000The Hammering Process
1991Living Sacrifice
1994Inhabit
