--==--
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.
Second Death
Living Sacrifice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Soul has been lost taken last breath
Descent to darkness life forever left
Imprisoned awaiting the second death
Incarcerate in a solid rock cell
Facing the reality the present hell
Absolute darkness one of isolation
Rejected God intentionally unaware
Voluntary placement for this eternal nightmare
Losing grip of sanity mind goes insane
Loneliness of death creeps in to reign
Vile stench begins to fill the air
Demons gather with a hideous glare
Assembled to inflict verbal torment
Reminded of salvation seeds forever dormant
Now seeing through their black lies
Realization of eternity bleeds into cries
Sneering and chanting manifesting on the walls
Interrupted torture by the great one who calls
Transformed to the great white throne
Standing before God yet still alone
He releases the love that won't be received
Convicted now but too late to believe
Laid out for all his perfect will
And ignorant life remains unfulfilled
The lyrics of "Second Death" by Living Sacrifice speak about the consequences of rejecting God and willingly choosing the path to eternal suffering. The song describes the descent into darkness and the loss of the soul, where the imprisoned is awaiting the second death, symbolizing what happens when the soul is separated from God's grace in the afterlife.
The first paragraph portrays the time when the soul has taken its last breath and has lost all life, encountering a world of darkness, forever separated from God. The second paragraph tells the tales of being imprisoned in a solid rock cell with a feeling of overwhelming loneliness, surrounded by demons at all times. The third paragraph highlights the torment of being rejected from God's kingdom and navigating the reality of the insanity of the life choices made. The fourth paragraph depicts the demons baiting and taunting with their words while the lost soul tries to escape this eternal suffering.
The last two paragraphs talk about the judgment day when the lost soul faces his actions in front of God. He realizes too late that he made the wrong decisions and that his life remains unfulfilled. God releases His love, but it can no longer be received by the soul, and he must bear the consequences of his deeds.
Overall, the lyrics of "Second Death" speak about the inevitability of facing the consequences of one's actions and how choosing the path of darkness can lead to eternal punishment.
Line by Line Meaning
Ending all of life beginning of death
The end of this mortal life is the start of eternal suffering.
Soul has been lost taken last breath
The soul has departed the body and death has taken its final claim.
Descent to darkness life forever left
Leaving the world behind, one descends to an eternity in darkness.
Imprisoned awaiting the second death
Trapped and waiting for the eternal punishment of the final death.
Incarcerate in a solid rock cell
Locked in a cell made of solid rock, completely isolated from the outside world.
Facing the reality the present hell
Confronting the truth of present suffering and agony.
Absolute darkness one of isolation
Complete darkness and utter isolation from any form of comfort or companionship.
Soul of the lost with will of separation
A soul that willingly chooses to be separated forever from any form of goodness.
Rejected God intentionally unaware
The act of rejecting God, but without truly understanding the implications and consequences.
Voluntary placement for this eternal nightmare
Choosing to voluntarily place oneself in an eternity of suffering and agony.
Losing grip of sanity mind goes insane
Gradually losing one's mental sanity and becoming insane.
Loneliness of death creeps in to reign
The overwhelming feeling of being alone and abandoned by all, as death takes over.
Vile stench begins to fill the air
A disgusting and repulsive odor begins to permeate the surroundings.
Demons gather with a hideous glare
Evil spirits gather, staring with a menacing and threatening gaze.
Assembled to inflict verbal torment
Gathered together to cause unbearable emotional and spiritual pain and suffering.
Reminded of salvation seeds forever dormant
The reminder of the seed of hope and redemption that has been dormant and ignored for far too long.
Now seeing through their black lies
Gaining a clear understanding of their deceitful and malevolent lies and intentions.
Realization of eternity bleeds into cries
Coming to the devastating realization that eternity will be spent in agonizing suffering and pain, leading to uncontrollable weeping and wailing.
Sneering and chanting manifesting on the walls
Cruel and mocking laughter and chanting that seems to be coming alive on the walls, causing unbearable torment.
Interrupted torture by the great one who calls
The torturous suffering is suddenly interrupted by the calling of a powerful and omnipotent being.
Transformed to the great white throne
Being transported to the great white throne where judgment will take place.
Standing before God yet still alone
Standing before the Almighty, but still feeling completely alone and abandoned.
He releases the love that won't be received
God offers His love and forgiveness, but it is too late for it to be accepted.
Convicted now but too late to believe
Being proven guilty and convicted, but realizing that it is now too late to believe in God's salvation.
Laid out for all his perfect will
Laid out in accordance with God's perfect plan and divine will.
And ignorant life remains unfulfilled
Life is left unfulfilled and incomplete due to ignorance and disregard for God's truth and love.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
G g
Helps so much when under attack by anxious of others. Bless you guys for always still playing even though not the original band. I still love the older tracks most! Especially Exstince.
Napalm Jake
this is the christian version of slayer lol i love these guys i mean im not really into christian music but these guys fucking kill
travis johnson
this is one of the best songs they have ever had
uwique
this is metal!!..not this new metal we have today,,,beuatifull old school right here!!
Thatguy
I have exactly the same thing going on when I listen to slayer! lol. Yeah this band are pretty awesome though!
navas015
This is one of the catchiest Thrash Metal songs I've ever heard...
Doom Slayer
Ikr same
mpampakos
SHIT!~ this is killer man....
Felipe Machado
The ride conduction of the drum is pure thrash metal.
navas015
This shit is very good! Slayer influence!