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Living Sacrifice formed in the fall of 1989 by Darren "D.J." Johnson (bass/ vocals), Lance Garvin (drums), Bruce Fitzhugh (guitar) and Jason Truby (guitar).
Starting in Little Rock, Arkansas, the average age of the band members was 18. There were not many places for Living Sacrifice to play but then a new all ages club had just opened called Vino's. It was the only place to accept any kind of thrash, metal or punk. Trusty (discord records), a punk band, was one of the only local bands that LS could look to for inspiration because all the "metal" bands were busy playing Metallica covers badly. Living Sacrifice's first show at Vino's, and third show ever, was opening for Shelter (Revelation records) the former Hari Chrisna hardcore band fronted by Ray Cappo ex- Youth of Today (how's that for indie cred?).
Two bands that inspired LS in the Christian metal area where Believer (Roadrunner and REX Records) and The Crucified. After forging a mentor type relationship with Believer, Living Sacrifice recorded a demo to present to their label home REX Records. It worked. One year after forming Living Sacrifice was signing to REX Records.
1991
The self-titled album was released by REX Records (produced by Kurt Bachman of Believer and label exec. Doug Mann). This first record showed obvious influences of the young Living Sacrifice. Bands that come to mind are Testament, Anthrax, Megadeth and oh yeah, Slayer. In reality, the Slayer comparisons convinced the band to explore a more death metal sound on the next record.
1992
Living Sacrifice was rushed back into the studio for another record. The experience in the studio this time was not good. 6 days to record and mix the record. But the result was Nonexistent. The sound of the Florida death metal scene had a profound effect on these songs and particularly the vocal delivery. Two months of touring followed after this as well.
1993
On Christmas day Living Sacrifice drove their van with all their equipment to a tiny town outside of Hershey PA and in 1994 Inhabit was released. This third recording for REX Records turned out to be the heaviest and most technical record to date. The only touring LS did on Inhabit was a one week tour with Malevolent Creation, which was fitting since Inhabit was musically inspired by Malevolent's second record Retribution.
1995
REX Records were in financial difficulty and Living Sacrifice took the opportunity to leave the label with all of their masters for all three records. This would prove a smart move later on.
After taking some time off it became clear that founding member DJ would be leaving the band. That left a need for a vocalist and bassist. Bruce Fitzhugh stepped up to sing for the band. Chris Truby, Jason's brother, stepped in on bass.
1996
Tooth and Nail Records was fast making a name for themselves in the hard music market. They wanted to start an imprint of the label called Solidstate records that focused on extreme heavy music. Living Sacrifice became one of the first bands to launch the imprint along side other, more hardcore acts, like Strongarm and Zao. Living Sacrifice fit right in.
1997
Reborn was recorded in Little Rock, Arkansas by Barry Poynter.
The aptly titled record redefined the band's musical focus and garnered them a slew of new fans -- and probably some of their first outside of the Christian music market. Though the music was decidedly more straightforward, the lyrical focus stayed the same, and the melodic guitar solos and fast-paced galloping drums remained. Despite the underground success of the album, with Living Sacrifice quickly becoming a cornerstone band on the new imprint's roster, further lineup changes happened. Founding guitarist Jason Truby and his only recently introduced brother, bassist Chris Truby, exited the band.
1998
Cory Putman of the Arkansas band Eso- Charis played guitar before the Truby's permanent replacements were found in guitarist Rocky Gray, and bassist Arthur Green, late of Eso-Charis. Green was not the only member of Eso-Charis to join up -- drummer Matthew Putman soon followed. Putman was instrumental in fleshing out Living Sacrifice's sound with additional percussion alongside Garvin, with a two-drummer approach unique to heavy music; different even from Sepultura, Neurosis, and Slipknot, who have all experimented with extra percussion.
1999
Solidstate licenses and Re Issues the first three Living Sacrifice albums.
2000
LS began work on the fifth record recording again with Barry Poynter. The Hammering Process, further streamled the band's sound, decimating it into its base elements, driven by rhythm and heavy guitar crunch without being tantamount to any kind of musical "sellout." Further touring ensued throughout 2000 and 2001, including several dates with the band's friends and former labelmates, P.O.D., as well as touring with Project 86 (Atlantic Records) and a co-headlining tour with Zao. Touring nonstop for 2 years gave The Hammering Process the top sales of any Living Sacrifice album to date.
2002
Living Sacrifice had come off the road for a time and started writing what would be their sixth and final record. Conceived in Fire was produced by Barry Poynter and mixed by the amazing Andy Sneap who has also worked on records by Killswitch Engage and Machine Head.
2003
In the wake of insecurity surrounding the future of Living Sacrifice Rocky Gray took an opportunity to play drums for Evanescence, the Little Rock AR band who had just recorded a debut record for Wind-Up records. Rocky is just one of those guys that plays guitar and drums equally well.
At this point the members of Living Sacrifice felt that the band had run its course and decided to end the band. Cory Putman was brought in once again to fulfill final touring obligations and festivals that were booked through out 2003.
Living Sacrifice played their final farewell show in Little Rock AR at Vino's, where it all began, on June 28, 2003. They were joined by fellow Solidstate labelmates Underoath, Demon Hunter, The Agony Scene, and Extol.
2005
Solidstate releases In Memoriam, a Living Sacrifice best of collective, featuring 3 newly written and recorded songs by Lance Garvin, Rocky Gray and Bruce Fitzhugh.
Where are they now 2005
Darren Johnson - prospering in Arkansas
Jason Truby - guitar for P.O.D. (Atlantic Records)
Chris Truby - prospering in Scotland
Rocky Gray - drummer for Evanescence (Wind-Up Records)
Lance Garvin - writing and recording with Ben Moody (Wind-Up Records)
Arthur Green - prospering in Arkansas
Cory Putman - Singer for Norma Jean (Solidstate Records)
Matthew Putman - drummer for Lovedrug (Columbia Records)
Bruce Fitzhugh - Prospering in Nashville TN.
As of 2008, Living Sacrifice has reformed and is planning on touring in summer 2008 and releasing a new album, which will be released at some point this year. The band's website now links to the official myspace page, which states the following:
"LIVING SACRIFICE has returned. Founding members Bruce Fitzhugh (Vocals / Guitar) and Lance Garvin (Drums) have reunited with Rocky Gray (lead guitar) and Arthur Green (bass). The band will be on tour this summer and we are already writing material for our brand new album, which will be released in 2008.
Death Machine
Living Sacrifice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Force of nature fueled by pride
Gears of greed oiled by deceit
This machine keeps moving
Fake facade are these clothes
That I′ll wear when they bury me
Cannot fool for another day
Cannot pretend that I got away
The death machine - steamrolls hate
The death machine - construction of fate
The death machine - never stops
The death machine - an end to a means
The death machine - never stops
The death machine is sin and I am he.
Imposter - hypocrites profess only words
The death machine - steamrolls hate
The death machine - construction of fate
The death machine - never stops
The death machine - an end to a means
The death machine - never stops
The death machine is sin and I am he.
Hallelujah - I've seen the light
Hallelujah - tie that knot extremely tight
Around my neck this rope feels tight
Jerk it hard pull it tight
Around my neck this rope feels right
I′m gonna see the bottom of the sea tonight
Hallelujah - I've seen the light
Hallelujah - I'm gonna be bottom of the sea tonight
Living Sacrifice's song Death Machine is a powerful commentary on the dangers of pride, deceit, and greed. The first stanza talks about the way in which the various parts of this machine move and collide with one another, all fueled by human pride and greed. The lyrics talk about this machine being a force of nature, one that never stops and is constantly fueled by the deceit of those who operate it. The singer speaks of how they cannot continue to pretend that they have gotten away with anything, and they acknowledge that the machine will keep moving long after they are gone.
In the second stanza, Living Sacrifice touches on the role of hypocrisy in all of this. They speak of the imposter and the way in which hypocrites only profess words but do not truly live by them. The chorus repeats the idea that this machine is never-ending, and that it is fueled by a desire to control fate. The final lines of the song are haunting, as the singer seems to have given up all hope and wishes to be swallowed up by the ocean.
Overall, the song is a powerful critique of the way in which human pride and greed can lead to the creation of machines that are destructive and never-ending. The lyrics reflect a deep sense of despair and hopelessness, as the singer acknowledges that they are a part of the very machine that they detest.
Line by Line Meaning
Moving parts all collide
The different pieces of this death machine are all coming together, creating a force that is doomed to an inevitable collision.
Force of nature fueled by pride
The unstoppable force of this machine is driven by the pride and arrogance of its creators.
Gears of greed oiled by deceit
The wheels of this machine are greased with lies and deception, ensuring that it runs smoothly at the cost of the truth.
This machine keeps moving
This death machine is constantly in motion, unstoppable in its destruction and cruelty.
Fake facade are these clothes
The outward appearance of those who created this machine is a thin veneer that masks their true intentions and malignancy.
That I'll wear when they bury me
The deceiver knows they will be remembered for their false image even after their death.
Cannot fool for another day
The deceiver understands that they cannot maintain their deception indefinitely and eventually the truth will come to light.
Cannot pretend that I got away
The deceiver knows they cannot escape the consequences of their actions and will eventually face justice.
Imposter - hypocrites profess only words
Those who claim to be righteous are fakes who only speak empty words, undeserving of trust or praise.
The death machine - steamrolls hate
This machine is a tool for crushing and destroying anything and everything in its path, powered by hatred.
The death machine - construction of fate
This machine is a cruel building block in the larger scheme of fate, bringing about destruction and chaos.
The death machine - never stops
This machine is relentless in its destruction, never slowing down or giving its victims any respite or mercy.
The death machine - an end to a means
This machine represents a cold, calculating termination of lives that serves no higher purpose and brings no real benefit.
The death machine is sin and I am he.
The singer acknowledges that they are complicit in the evil wrought by this machine and feel the weight of that guilt.
Hallelujah - I've seen the light
The singer has finally awakened to the truth of the machine's evil and is filled with a sense of religious awakening.
Hallelujah - tie that knot extremely tight
The artist is urging others to take action against this machine and ensure that its destruction is final and total.
Around my neck this rope feels tight
The artist is at the end of their rope, feeling the weight of the machine's evil crushing down on them.
Jerk it hard pull it tight
The singer is urging others to join them in their fight against the machine, pulling together in a unified effort to overcome it.
Around my neck this rope feels right
The singer knows that sacrificing themselves for the greater good is the right thing to do, even if it means their own destruction.
I'm gonna see the bottom of the sea tonight
The artist is willing to go to any lengths to destroy the machine, even if it means sacrificing their own life and sinking to the depths of the ocean.
Contributed by Aaron W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.