Living Sacrifice In Memoriam
Solid State Records TND96289 March 29th, 2005
By Jason Jordan
Unfortunately, Living Sacrifice one of the pioneers of Christian metal amicably parted ways in 2003, and In Memoriam is a greatest-hits album that pays tribute to them posthumously. If youre a completist, like I tend to be, then this purchase will be a no-brainer. But, if you have no problem collecting albums to and fro then In Memoriam may prove to be unnecessary.
The layout is fairly standard. The record offers two tracks from every release 1991s Living Sacrifice, 1992s Nonexistent, 1994s Inhabit, 1997s Reborn, 2000s The Hammering Process, and 2002s Conceived in Fire which keeps it short and relatively straightforward. The early works of the band, namely their first three albums, were exercises in thrash/death, while their last three outputs could realistically be classified as pre-metalcore. As a bonus, though, the nucleus of the group (Bruce Fitzhugh, Rocky Gray, and Lance Garvin) got together and recorded three new songs that are in the same vein as that of Conceived in Fire In Christ, The Power of God, and Killers are all worthwhile listens, and its refreshing to hear new material from a group thats been defunct for a handful of years. The packaging is disappointing, because its essentially bare-bones: pictures of each albums line-up have been interspersed with information about the songs. We, as consumers, dont get the lyrics or anything that has the ability to wow. Im also conflicted about the CDs length. It is an hour long, but I cant decide if thats fitting; I mean, theres about twenty minutes worth of free space, and the group did excavate six, full-length endeavors in the span of their career.
Ever since I heard Reborn, Ive been partial to the Arkansas-based quintet, and I was chagrined to see them leave the metal fold. Still, In Memoriam is a decent introduction to the band if youve never heard them before and a good retrospective look at their influential past. Living Sacrifice will be both remembered and missed.
8/10
Official Living Sacrifice Website
Official Solid State Records Website
Solid State Records TND96289 March 29th, 2005
By Jason Jordan
Unfortunately, Living Sacrifice one of the pioneers of Christian metal amicably parted ways in 2003, and In Memoriam is a greatest-hits album that pays tribute to them posthumously. If youre a completist, like I tend to be, then this purchase will be a no-brainer. But, if you have no problem collecting albums to and fro then In Memoriam may prove to be unnecessary.
The layout is fairly standard. The record offers two tracks from every release 1991s Living Sacrifice, 1992s Nonexistent, 1994s Inhabit, 1997s Reborn, 2000s The Hammering Process, and 2002s Conceived in Fire which keeps it short and relatively straightforward. The early works of the band, namely their first three albums, were exercises in thrash/death, while their last three outputs could realistically be classified as pre-metalcore. As a bonus, though, the nucleus of the group (Bruce Fitzhugh, Rocky Gray, and Lance Garvin) got together and recorded three new songs that are in the same vein as that of Conceived in Fire In Christ, The Power of God, and Killers are all worthwhile listens, and its refreshing to hear new material from a group thats been defunct for a handful of years. The packaging is disappointing, because its essentially bare-bones: pictures of each albums line-up have been interspersed with information about the songs. We, as consumers, dont get the lyrics or anything that has the ability to wow. Im also conflicted about the CDs length. It is an hour long, but I cant decide if thats fitting; I mean, theres about twenty minutes worth of free space, and the group did excavate six, full-length endeavors in the span of their career.
Ever since I heard Reborn, Ive been partial to the Arkansas-based quintet, and I was chagrined to see them leave the metal fold. Still, In Memoriam is a decent introduction to the band if youve never heard them before and a good retrospective look at their influential past. Living Sacrifice will be both remembered and missed.
8/10
Official Living Sacrifice Website
Official Solid State Records Website
