Several 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 Get Out", "Frontal Lobotomy", "Cut Into Pieces", "Arise", the remake of Deep Purple's "Space Truckin'", and "Into The Abyss". "Interruption" is rather amusing, to be sure, I've had episodes like that myself. Anyway, this is really good old school thrash for fans of Exodus, Venom and Manowar...
8/10
Other coverage for this album
Dead Zine 2002Reviewed by undeadAs 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…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
[title unknown]
1991Destruction Comes
1988Human Sacrifice
1993Anthology
1992Released Upon the EarthVengeance Video
1991Destruction Comes1988Human Sacrifice1993Anthology1992Released Upon the EarthVengeance Video
