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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.
Separation
Living Sacrifice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Soul Embrace, Soul Embraced With Pain
Burning Existence, Eternally Separated
Savior Lost, Heaven Lost
Tortured Within, What Could Have Been
Separation, This After Life, In Death
One Breath
Could It Be This Darkness is A Product Of My Design
I Took What's Mine
I Denied, Denied
Father Of Lies Burn With Your Legion
Suffer Inside Eternal Abyss
God Has, Terminate My Soul, The Committed
I Want To Dwell Within Your Embrace
I Had A Dream Of This Reality
My Decision To Live By My Means
I Took What's Mine, Never Regret, Until Now
Separation From The Love I Took For Granted
Separation From What The Love Revealed To Me
Living Sacrifice's song Separation is a powerful expression of the feelings of regret and loss that arise from a life lived in separation from God. The imagery of the first few lines is stark and brutal, as the singer describes a disfigured, bloodless exit from life and a burning existence eternally separated from God. The repetition of the word "separation" underscores the central theme of the song: the singer's sense that his choices and actions have cut him off from the love and embrace of God.
The second verse deepens this sense of regret by suggesting the singer is aware that his own choices have led him down this path. The reference to the "Father of Lies" suggests that the singer has been seduced by the temptations of evil, and in choosing "self over God," has lost touch with the eternal truths that might have saved him from eternal darkness. The longing to "dwell within your embrace" suggests a deep desire to rediscover the love of God, even if it is too late.
Overall, Living Sacrifice's song Separation is a powerful expression of the human struggle to find meaning and purpose in a life that often seems arbitrary and cruel. The repetitive use of the term "separation" echoes the sense of isolation and despair that many feel when they sense that they are cut off from the divine. The song is a powerful meditation on the meaning of faith and the struggle to find redemption in the face of life's many challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Separation
The feeling of being apart or disconnected from something, in this case from God and His love.
Disfigured
Emotionally and spiritually damaged, distorted from one's original intent or form.
Bloodless Exit
The ending of one's life without the hope of salvation or redemption, aka death without eternal life.
Soul Embrace
The love and acceptance of one's soul by God providing peace, solace, and hope.
Soul Embraced With Pain
The love and acceptance of one's soul by God, but with difficulty, because of disillusionment or mistakes made by the individual.
Burning Existence
A metaphorical description of the misery and agony that comes with separation from the divine.
Eternally Separated
Being permanently disconnected from God's love when one does not repent and believe in Him.
Savior Lost
The tragic loss of God's salvation and His offer of eternal life.
Heaven Lost
The painful separation from God's kingdom and all things it offers due to one's own choices.
Tortured Within
Suffering the unbearable pain and torment caused by one's own separation from God.
What Could Have Been
Regret and sorrow for what life could have been if the individual made different choices and accepted God's love.
This After Life
The existence that comes after death and the final judgment, where every person will face the consequences of their choices.
In Death
Referring to the moment of passing into eternity, the time when the soul enters the afterlife.
One Breath
The brevity and fragility of life, and how it can end suddenly and without warning.
Could It Be This Darkness is A Product Of My Design
The possibility that darkness and pain in one's life may be caused by the choices they made and the sins they committed.
My Choice Of Self Over God
The decision to put one's own desires, priorities, and beliefs above God's will and commandments.
I Took What's Mine
Claiming earthly possessions, power, or status at the expense of ignoring God's love and plan for one's life.
I Denied, Denied
Rejecting and ignoring the truth and the call of God for redemption and salvation, despite being given multiple opportunities.
Father Of Lies Burn With Your Legion
A plea to Satan, the prince of darkness, and all his followers, to suffer the consequences of their evil deeds.
Suffer Inside Eternal Abyss
The punishment and agony of being doomed to Hell, aka the eternal abyss, separated from God forever.
God Has, Terminate My Soul, The Committed
The fear that God has condemned the soul who committed sins and denied His love to eternal punishment.
I Want To Dwell Within Your Embrace
A desire to be reconciled and reunited with God's love and presence, seeking salvation and redemption.
I Had A Dream Of This Reality
A vision of what life could be with God, and the regret and pain for not choosing it while the opportunity was still available.
My Decision To Live By My Means
Choosing to live life by one's own standards, values or morals, instead of following God's commandments and instructions.
I Took What's Mine, Never Regret, Until Now
The realization and repentance for choosing earthly possessions over God's love and salvation, and the regret for that decision.
Separation From The Love I Took For Granted
The grief and pain of realizing that God's love and presence was available but was taken for granted and not valued.
Separation From What The Love Revealed To Me
Being disconnected from the fullness of love and grace, and the consequences that come with not accepting it.
Lyrics © CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP, Capitol CMG Publishing
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind