Living Sacrifice - Nonexistent (1993)
Living Sacrifice's "Nonexistent" is probably in my opinion the greatest Christian Death Metal album ever! This album is a whirlwind of different directions that the band took and is still very pleasing to hear. The guitars on this album are much like the earlier Malevolent Creation albums like "Ten Commandments" and "Retribution". The riffs are very similar, the punches are similar, the drums are similar, and even the guitar sound! But don't let this fool you because this in fact blows those away! Like all early American death metal, there are lots of stops, trills, double picking, some thrashy mosh riffs, and acoustic interludes.. but no matter what is going on in the songs, they are still driving and brutal. The vocals are a bit different. They are like a death metal growl mixed with thrash. I guess the only one i can compare him to is the singer for Meshuggah. But not that intense. Very good overall though. I wish he woulda kept this style because it feeds off the music extremely well and has such anger behind it which alot of bands after this seem to lack. The drummer on this does some killer things. Lots of double bass and short fills but they are very intense! Every song stands out on it's own and is just as intense as the next. If you are looking for some killer and intense early American Death Metal much akin to Malevolent Creation, topped with a little Obituary... Get this at all costs. This is a no holds barred album! -- Review by Shannon