Review : LIVING SACRIFICE – “The Infinite Order”

Living Sacrifice – The Infinite Order
released February 2, 2009 on Solid State Records

The heaviest Christian metal band this side of Zao has returned. Following a five year hiatus and a supporting tour with Demon Hunter, the Little Rock quartet has released their seventh studio album. It was produced by Jeremiah Scott of Destroy Destroy Destroy and mixed by Andy Sneap, who has also worked with Megadeth, Machine Head, and As I Lay Dying.

We get vocals with some conviction for once, as Bruce Fitzhugh’s ragged, throaty bark spouts confrontational – and sometimes thought-provoking – lyrics. Songs like “Apostasy” challenge with questions rather than dictate beliefs, but sometimes have an undercurrent of proselytization.

Lance Garvin adds some interesting syncopated percussion throughout the album. It accents the opening social commentary of “Overkill Exposure”, and fleshes out “They Were One”, which also has a great catchy chorus. However, his additions are not quite as effective on “God Is My Home”.

The best spots are influenced by speed metal; just listen to how “Nietzche’s Madness” opens, or the wicked Slayer-esque solo in “Organized Lie”. The worst consist of lightweight riffs, like in “The Reckoning” and “Love Forgives”, which undermine the album’s strengths. The clean background vocals on “The Training” are pretty ‘meh’ as well.

If you’re lucky, you’ll get your hands on one of the copies intended for a possible European release, which feature a bonus track that rounds out the album well, “Of My Flesh, Of My Heart”. Overall, it’s a well-balanced effort from one of the top three bands to ever grace the Solid State roster.

FCC OK
Try 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12

01. Overkill Exposure
02. Rules Of Engagement
03. Nietzche’s Madman
04. Unfit To Live
05. The Training
06. Organized Lie
07. The Reckoning
08. Love Forgives
09. They Were One
10. God Is My Home
11. Apostasy
12. Of My Flesh, Of My Heart

Rating: