LIVING SACRIFICE - The Hammering Process (2000)
1. Flatline
2. Bloodwork
3. Not My Own
4. Local Vengeance Killing
5. Altered Life
6. Hand of the Dead
7. Burn the End
8. Hidden
9. Perfect
10. Conditional

Original members Fitzhugh (vocals/guitar) and Garvin (drums) are joined by three members (Rocky Gray-guitar, Arthur Green-bass and Matthew Putman-percussion) from ESO Charis? No clue who that is but I assume it’s hardcore/numetal. As is the heavy influence on this album. Matt Putman is the most notable influence with his extra percussion work which I think ads a very unique and experimental feel to this album. It's a good hardcore album with lots of energy. Glad they didn't stay here though. Definitely an experimental album by a band not afraid to make big changes or experiment with different sounds and styles. I dig that about LS. The results aren't always to my liking, but I respect what they do and Bruce’s amazing death vocals are always awesome.

I didn't even know this one existed......

The only LS I've never owned. I missed this one but after hearing the follow up and listening to a demo CD at Mardel I never had an interest in getting it.

I really like this album, as I've said before on this thread nu-metal/hardcore is not my cup o' tea but LS is the exception. The extra percussion makes it all the more tribal. Bruce, as always does a great job on the vox and Lance is one of the best drummers out there today IMO. But Rocky Gray really makes this album what it is, this guy can write good riffs and he can shred but I like that he doesn't overplay on any of his solos and they are very unique. Rocky is very underrated IMO. The Hammering Process is my 2nd fave LS disc. Fave tracks 1-5.

Probably the best of the metalcore years for LS.It had a kinda tribal feel which I always enjoy.I remember the song Flatline got some air play on one of the local radio channels here.

The Hammering Process is a big step down from Reborn IMO. It's all about the aggression now and the songs just don't do anything for me.

Another interesting thing that always stands out to me on this album is the great solo work. For a hardcore album that is unusual or nonexistent all together. Akeldama, that has to be Rocky don't you think? Because its totally different than Reborn and even CIF?

I saw L.S. the day this came out. They put on a killer show. They basically mixed the material from Reborn and Hammering Process, which mixed well. The extra percussion was amazing... to bad that didn't continue. The thing I remember most is Rock Gray was tearing it up live with all sorts of stunning leads and solos that were NOT on the Hammering Process recording. It is too bad that the albums don't reflect that. It may have just been something he was doing at the time, but it would have made Hammering... and Conceived in Fire much more interesting.

This was the first LS album I bought when it came out in 2000 and still enjoy it. Maybe it's the nostalgia factor, but I really think it's a tight album. I put it on a few weeks ago and it still sounded good to my ears.

Apart from The Poisoning, this album is one I found boring and too samey. At the time it seemed to me more metalcore than death metal but at the time I also wasn't listening to death metal so maybe I'll give this another chance some time. Sweet tatoo! Too bad they didn't stick to that logo.

I put this album third next to the S/T and Reborn. I really dig the powerful production and mixing from Andy Sneap.

Love the cover art.

Conceived In Fire is my fave LS for sure. I like Fitzhugh's vox, IMO he's at his best on this album, he went lower and more growls than screams. LS always writes great instrumentals and Into Again is their best IMO. Faves are 1-4; 9, 12, & 13.

Living Sacrifice - In Memoriam (Solid State) 2005

1. "In Christ" (3:11)
2. "Power Of God" (2:57)
3. "Killers" (3:14)
4. "Symbiotic" (4:14)
5. "Send Your Regrets" (3:40)
6. "Bloodwork" ( 4:13)
7. "Local Vengeance Kill" (3:08)
8. "Reborn Empowered" (3:46)
9. "Reject" (3:34)
10. "Enthroned '98" (3:34)
11. "Breathing Murder" (4:24)
12. "In The Shadow" (2:59)
13. "Distorted" (4:38)
14. 'Haven Of Blasphemy" (2:55)
15. "The Prodigal" (5:27)
16. "Anorexia Spiritual" (4:41)

A very uneven compilation due to the fact that Living Sacrifice never could make up their mind what style they were. However, as a career retrospective, this is actually a good sampler of the band's best material. The songs are in chronological order from the three new songs to the band's first self-titled album. Living Sacrifice followed the trends in heavy music, starting off life as an incredible thrash band, then morphing into a decent death metal band. After bassist/vocalist DJ exited the band, the remaining members re-emerged with the fantastic metalcore/thrash hyrid "Reborn". The opening track from the album, "Reborn Empowered" is one of the most powerful songs the band had ever written. If only all their material had stayed like this. Unfortunately the band settled on being an average metalcore/mallcore band. A good half of this CD is songs from those albums. Of the new material, opening tack "In Christ" is good metalcore (if there is such an animal). If all the band's stuff was that good, I'd probably like 'em a bit more. The other two tracks sound like they may have been leftovers from "Conceived in Fire". Thankfully "Enthroned '98" was put on this disc so I can now get rid of that crappy Solid State sampler the song originally appeared on. It was the only reason I was holding onto it. Of course my favorite tracks are the two included from the band's fantastic debut. "In Memoriam" marks the end of Living Sacrifice. I was blessed to see them touring for their first album and for "Reborn" which are my two favorite albums by them.

In Memoriam:

I disagreed with what was left off and some of what was on this album but the 3 new tracks were hella wicked! When this was released LS had decided to fold and I thought to myself, those three songs made me wigh they'd have made an entire album in that vein, plus they left at the top of their game.

Death Machine:

Didn't impress me much at first but it's grown on me.

The Infinite Order:

What a great Metal album, whatever genre you wanna put it in. They came back with a vengeance. I'm still stoked they're back together as they are one of my fave bands of all-time. I was glad the manufacturer accidentally put track 12 on as it was supposed to be for the European release only and after the first pressing it's supposed consist of only 11 tracks.

I have to admit, as a person who only appreciates Living Sacrifice's first album.

After reading this thread - I'm half-tempted to explore them just a little ferther.

The Infinite Order

This is a solid CD. Some of the best lyrics and thought out song writing in the last two years. And definitely of their discography IMO.

The one problem I am having with this CD: "Apostasy" is the most amazing, most powerful, sickest song on the CD and it's so far and above all the other songs on this album, I have a hard time getting through the other songs without getting impatient and skipping to Apostasy (track 11). The other songs are great and I enjoy them more and more, it's not a bad problem to have! But Apostasy is already one of, if not already my favorite LS song ever.