As with the former Human Sacrifice, this album takes right up in the thrash vein where Vengeance left off. While Sacrifice had scattered pieces of brutality mixed in with slower groove parts, Once Dead churns at a slightly faster pace than the former. I find that this makes for a more enjoyable album. If possible, Roger Martinez's lyrics seem even more bold, and the leads of Larry Farkas are faster than ever. Especially good on this album is the guitar tone. On Sacrifice it seemed a bit muddy, but here the distortion is turned up and a better crunch is added to the rhythm section. Even with all the speed that is contained in this album, most notably on tracks like "cut into pieces" and "warfare", this album has the ability to slow down. Starting out with almost the exact same intro as the Metallica song Damage Inc., "into the abyss" is a slow grinding song full of power chords that will knock you down. Overall, this is my favorite Vengeance album, simply for its brutality and sheer speed. To ignore this album is to miss out on an amazing work of art.
9/10
Other coverage for this album
Dead Zine 2002Reviewed by NecRoSarXSeveral steps better than Human Sacrifice, Once Dead finds the legendary thrash metal band Vengeance Rising probably at their peak. The music's tighter, the production's better, the direction's a bit more focused, and Once Dead featured the original band line-up before all but Roger Martinez vamoosed to form Die Happy. Several tracks have made my frequent listen list on here: "Warfare", "Can't…Adonai Metal Rock #4Reviewed by Delphine “Dédé”Translated from the original French Zombie friends, fear no more for your old bones, in this low world VENGEANCE RISING has a very good one for you!! This powerful quintet of thrashionisers reoffends, indeed, in the "radicalism" department. You surely remember "Human Sacrifice", their first tender on the ring of Thrash Music, where the metallurgeous companions brandished on the sleeve the…Heaven's Metal #24Reviewed by Doug Van PeltThis album is hot! It doesn't match the intensity of their classic debut, but it doesn't disappoint. More of the bands roots (the blues-metal of the early 70's) show up here than before, which is performed with guts and precision. I thought the snare drum sound in some songs could've been beefed up some more, but these five guys continue to amaze me with their creativity and prowess at speed…Similar sounding releases
1999Dodgin BulletsSoundtrack to the End of the World
2004The Blinding LightThe Ascension Attempt
1999Castahead / IntercedeSplit
2001xDisciplexDoxology
2001Grace for the FallenField of Blood
2000A Life Once LostOpen Your Mouth For The SpeechlessMore from Vengeance Rising
1991Destruction Comes[title unknown]
1993Anthology
1992Released Upon the EarthVengeance Video
1988Human Sacrifice
