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Living Sacrifice formed in the fall of 1989 by Darren “D.J.” Johnson bass/ vocals, Lance Garvin drums, Bruce Fitzhugh guitarand Jason Truby guitar.
Starting in Little Rock, Arkansas, the average age of the band members was 18. There were not many places to play LivingSacrifice then but a new
allages club had just opened call Vino’s. It was the only place to accept any kind of thrash, metalor punk. Trusty (discord records), a punk band, was
oneof the only local bands that LS could look to for inspiration becauseall the “metal” bands were busy playing Metallica covers badly. Liv ...read more
Living Sacrifice formed in the fall of 1989 by Darren “D.J.” Johnson bass/ vocals, Lance Garvin drums, Bruce Fitzhugh guitarand Jason Truby guitar.
Starting in Little Rock, Arkansas, the average age of the band members was 18. There were not many places to play LivingSacrifice then but a new
allages club had just opened call Vino’s. It was the only place to accept any kind of thrash, metalor punk. Trusty (discord records), a punk band, was
oneof the only local bands that LS could look to for inspiration becauseall the “metal” bands were busy playing Metallica covers badly. Living
Sacrifice’sfirst 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. Afterforging a mentor
typerelationship with Believer, Living Sacrifice recorded a demo to present to their label home REX Records.It worked. One year after forming
LivingSacrifice was signing to REX Records. They were the only Christian label at the timedoing anything interesting within the tiny world of Christian
metal.
1991The self-titled album was released by REX Records (produced by Kurt Bachman of Believer and label exec. Doug Mann).This first record
showedobvious influences of the young Living Sacrifice. Bands that come to mind are Testament, Anthrax,Megadeth and oh yeah, Slayer. In reality, the
Slayercomparisons convinced the band to explore a more death metal soundon the next record.
1992Living 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
mixthe record with an engineer who had never done heavy music before. But the result wasNonexistent. The sound of the Florida death metal scene
had aprofound effect on these songs and particularly the vocaldelivery. Two months of touring followed after this as well.
1993On Christmas day Living Sacrifice drove their van with all their equipment to a tiny town outside of Hershey PA and in1994 Inhabit was
released.This third recording for REX Records turned out to be the heaviest and most technical record todate. The only touring LS did on Inhabit was a
oneweek tour with Malevolent Creation, which was fitting since Inhabit wasmusically inspired by Malevolent’s second record Retribution.
1995REX Records were in financial difficulty and Living Sacrifice took the opportunity to leave the label with all of theirmasters 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 vocalistand bassist.
BruceFitzhugh stepped up to sing for the band. Chris Truby, Jason's brother, stepped in on bass.
1996Tooth and Nail Records was fast making a name for themselves in the hard music market. They wanted to start animprint of the label
calledSolidstate records that focused on extreme heavy music. Living Sacrifice became one of the firstbands to launch the imprint along side other,
morehardcore acts, like Strongarm and Zao. Living Sacrifice fit right in.
1997Reborn was recorded in Little Rock, Arkansas by Barry Poynter.The aptly titled record redefined the band's musical focusand garnered them aslew
of new fans -- and probably some of their first outside of the Christian music market. Though themusic was decidedly more straightforward, thelyrical
focus stayed the same, and the melodic guitar solos and fast-pacedgalloping drums remained. Despite the underground success of the album,with
Living Sacrifice quickly becoming a cornerstoneband on the new imprint's roster, further lineup changes happened. Founding guitarist Jason Trubyand
his only recentlyintroduced brother, bassist Chris Truby, exited the band.
1998Cory Putman of the Arkansas band Eso- Charis played guitar before the Truby’s permanent replacements were found inguitarist Rocky Gray,
andbassist Arthur Green, late of Eso-Charis. Green was not the only member of Eso-Charis to join up --drummer Matthew Putman soon followed.
Putmanwas instrumental in fleshing out Living Sacrifice's sound with additionalpercussion alongside Garvin, with a two-drummer approach unique to
heavymusic; different even from Sepultura, Neurosis,and Slipknot, who have all experimented with extra percussion.
1999Solidstate licenses and Re Issues the first three Living Sacrifice albums.
2000LS began work on the fifth record recording again with Barry Poynter. The Hammering Process, further streamled theband's sound, decimating
itinto its base elements, driven by rhythm and heavy guitar crunch without being tantamount toany kind of musical "sellout." Further touring
ensuedthroughout 2000 and 2001, including several dates with the band'sfriends and former labelmates, P.O.D., as well as touring with Project 86
(AtlanticRecords) and a co-headlining tour with Zao.Touring nonstop for 2 years gave The Hammering Process the top sales of any Living Sacrifice
album todate.
2002Living 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
byBarry Poynter and mixed by the amazing Andy Sneap who has also worked on records byKillswitch Engage and Machine Head.
2003In the wake of insecurity surrounding the future of Living Sacrifice Rocky Gray took an opportunity to play drums forEvanescence, the Little
RockAR band who had just recorded a debut record for Wind-Up records (home of Creed). Rocky isjust one of those guys that plays guitar and
drumsequally well.
At this point the members of Living Sacrifice felt that the band had run its course and decided to end the band. Cory Putmanwas brought in once
againto 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 werejoined by fellow
Solidstatelabelmates Underoath, Demon Hunter, The Agony Scene, and Extol.
2005Solidstate releases In Memoriam, a Living Sacrifice best of collective, featuring 3 newly written and recorded songs byLance Garvin, Rocky
Grayand Bruce Fitzhugh. « hide |
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