LS pumped out three brutal albums in a short period of time (1991-1994) and then was out of the studio for about three years. During that time they lost singer/bassist DJ. Then guitarist, Bruce Fitzhugh, stepped in and took over as singer and Jason Truby's (the other guitarist) younger brother, Chris, took up playing the bass.
This story, which isn't too unfamiliar in the Christian Metal scene usually has a sad ending. You normally expect a band to fizzle in this climate. However, such is not the case with Living Sacrifice. As with the title of the album this band seems to really be Reborn. In other words, LS comes back just as strong and aggressive and professional as before (unlike Barren Cross' return which was even cornier than their original stuff).
The discriminating listener will notice that this album does have a different vibe from the previous three. The first album is best described as thrash and was rightly compared to Slayer. The next two were much heavier and are best described as brutal Death Metal. This new album, I think, is best described as heavy Groove Metal with a hint of Thrash. It has been called Hardcore and I wouldn't necessarily disagree. However, one shouldn't think of this album as leaning towards punk. There does seem to be a very conscious effort on LS' part to identify with the style of music that Sepultura, Pantera, Korn, Machine Head, Suffocation, Obituary, etc. are pumping out today. In fact, I'd say that the best comparison is Sepultura, not just musically either, but vocally and professionally as well. Particularly similar is the song "Sell Out" which reminds one a lot of Sepultura's "Cut Throat". LS really impresses me as a very capable band. It seems like time off has been a real boon for them.
One last note. I am greatly impressed by the note on the next to last page of the insert at the bottom. Read it.
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #114Reviewed by Ryan ClarkWhat can I say about this album? It’s hard to describe the feeling that Christian metal-heads experienced upon first hearing Reborn. This was the album it seems we were all waiting for. Living Sacrifice had just signed to Solid State Records after quite a hiatus from their previous album Inhabit, and had experienced some major lineup movement, including Bruce Fitzhugh, who previously played…7ball #14Reviewed by Brad CavinessRarely has an album title been so appropriate. Living Sacrifice is indeed Reborn on its debut for Tooth & Nail Records. Gone are the death metal and grindcore references that made the band a joke to most fans of other musical genres. In their place are nods to artists like Helmet, Tool, Korn, and Six Feet Deep. The change is not imitative, but a natural extension of the band's previous image. The…The Blue Star Journal July 1997Reviewed by Kurt MorrisWhat am I supposed to say about a band like Living Sacrifice? Give me any of their old stuff and I'd kick you in the face. I hated them. They were stupid metal. But I went and saw them at Cornerstone and their show was incredible. So much energy, power, and just such a huge sound. So, I came home and bought the CD and haven't been disappointed one bit. The style of LS has changed into more of a…The Blue Star Journal July 1997Reviewed by David ReynoldsIf you delve into the annals of metaldom, you'll find everything from the fathers of heavy metal, Led Zeppelin (by today's standards, not "heavy" at all), AC/DC (really more "hard rock" than metal), and Metallica to the speed metal of Megadeth to the grindcore/death metal people to the "grunge" metal of Alice In Chains and Sepultura to metal's close cousin, Gothic. Living Sacrifice draws on all…Similar sounding releases
2001As I Lay DyingBeneath the Encasing Of Ashes
2003ZaoLegendary
2005UnearthOur Days of Eulogy
2003Falling CycleThe Conflict
2003IntegrityTo Die For
1997ConvergePetitioning the Empty SkyMore from Living Sacrifice
1993Metamorphosis
1991Living Sacrifice
1994Inhabit
2000The Hammering Process
1990No Yielding to Ungodly
1992Nonexistent
