Living Sacrifice

Living Sacrifice
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1989 in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States
Founder	Darren Johnson, Bruce Fitzhugh, Lance Garvin
Headquarters	Little Rock, United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Bruce Fitzhugh, Lance Garvin, Rocky Gray, Arthur Green
Products	Studio albums, EPs, demos, compilation albums, DVDs
Number of employees	4 (current lineup)

Living Sacrifice is a Christian metal group from the United States, established in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1989. Their discography includes eight studio albums, with the first three released through R.E.X. Records featuring original vocalist Darren Johnson. Initially, their sound was rooted in thrash metal before transitioning into death metal. Beginning with Reborn (1997) on Solid State Records, the band adopted a style combining groove metal and metalcore, with founding guitarist Bruce Fitzhugh stepping into the role of lead vocalist. The band ceased activities in 2003 due to members focusing on separate projects, after which Solid State issued a compilation titled In Memoriam (2005). Living Sacrifice reunited in 2008, releasing the digital track Death Machine and subsequently the album The Infinite Order in 2010. Original members Lance Garvin and Bruce Fitzhugh continue to perform.

History

Living Sacrifice emerged as one of the pioneering Christian death metal bands alongside contemporaries such as Sacrament and Mortification. The band was founded by Darren "D.J." Johnson (bass and vocals), Bruce Fitzhugh (guitar), and Lance Garvin (drums), with Jason Truby joining later. Their first live performance took place on December 1, 1989. Following their 1990 demo Not Yielding to Ungodly, they secured a contract with R.E.X. Records.

Their debut album, self-titled and released in 1991, was produced by Kurt Bachman and drew stylistic comparisons to thrash acts like Slayer. With the 1992 release of Nonexistent, the band shifted toward down-tuned death metal, featuring Johnson’s experimentation with death growls. However, dissatisfaction arose due to production issues linked to an inexperienced producer and restrictive label deadlines. The 1994 album Inhabit is regarded as one of their most intense works and was supported by a tour alongside Malevolent Creation. After R.E.X. Records declared bankruptcy, Living Sacrifice signed with Solid State Records aiming to broaden their reach.

Following Johnson’s departure to pursue ministry, Bruce Fitzhugh took over vocal duties while Chris Truby joined on bass. Their first Solid State release, Reborn, arrived in 1997, showcasing a fusion of groove metal and metalcore that expanded their audience beyond Christian circles. Subsequent lineup adjustments included Jay Stacy and Cory Brandan Putman joining, with Arthur Green replacing Stacy on bass and Rocky Gray succeeding Putman on guitar; Matthew Putman also became part of the group as a percussionist in 1999.

The 2000 album The Hammering Process emphasized groove metal elements. During this period, Bruce Fitzhugh contributed vocals to Evanescence’s track "Lies." A tribute album was released in 2001, followed by Conceived in Fire in 2002. The band disbanded in 2003 as members engaged in other projects such as Garvin and Gray’s involvement with Soul Embraced.

In 2005, Solid State issued In Memoriam, a compilation featuring three new songs recorded by Garvin, Gray, and Fitzhugh. Fitzhugh also appeared on Demon Hunter’s 2007 release Storm the Gates of Hell.

The group's reunion occurred in 2008; they supported Demon Hunter during the "Stronger Than Hell" tour and released the digital single Death Machine. Their seventh studio effort, The Infinite Order, was launched in January 2010 via Solid State Records. This album included guest vocals from David Bunton (The Showdown), Joe Musten (Advent, Beloved) as well as guitarist Jason Truby; mixing was handled by Andy Sneap. A deluxe edition featured additional live recordings and fresh material.

After extensive touring, Living Sacrifice unveiled their eighth studio album Ghost Thief in 2013, which featured guest performances by Ryan Clark (Demon Hunter) and Dave Peters (Throwdown). Several tracks were premiered through Solid State’s YouTube channel and Revolver magazine. They also contributed to the soundtrack for Killing Floor 2 and appeared at the ShipRocked cruise event in 2017 alongside prominent rock artists.

A documentary titled 30 Years of Sacrifice, including interviews with former members and collaborators, was scheduled for release in 2020 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In celebration of milestone anniversaries during 2021 and 2022, Nordic Mission issued remastered versions of Living Sacrifice’s debut self-titled album and their second record Nonexistent on both CD and vinyl formats.

Musical style and legacy

Living Sacrifice's musical approach encompasses Christian metal, death metal, thrash metal, groove metal, and metalcore. The band has played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of many artists, influencing groups such as As I Lay Dying, Throwdown, Demon Hunter, Underøath, Haste the Day, Saving Grace, and 7 Horns 7 Eyes.

Band members

Current lineup
Name	Role	Tenure	Associated acts
Bruce Fitzhugh	lead vocals, rhythm guitar	1989–2003, 2005, 2008–present
Rocky Gray	lead guitar, backing vocals	1998–2003, 2005, 2008–present	Evanescence, Soul Embraced, We Are the Fallen, Solus Deus, Machina, Shredded Corpse, Kill System
Arthur Green	bass guitar, backing vocals	1999–2003, 2008–present	Eso-Charis, Elliot
Lance Garvin	drums, auxiliary percussion	1989–2003, 2005, 2008–present	Soul Embraced, Zao, Throwdown, Kill System

Former members
Name	Role	Tenure	Associated acts
Matt Putman	auxiliary percussion, backing vocals	1998 (live), 1999–2003	Eso-Charis, Elliot, Lovedrug, Unwed Sailor, Fear is the Driving Force, Bear Colony, Snailhuntr, Ester Drang, The Last Royals
Darren "DJ" Johnson	lead vocals, bass guitar	1989–1995, 2014 (live), 2018 (live), 2020–present (live)
Jason Truby	lead guitar, backing vocals	1989–1998, 2020 (live)	P.O.D., Archangel
Chris Truby	bass guitar	1995–1998, 2020 (live)	Archangel
Cory Brandan Putman	lead guitar, backing vocals	1998, 2003	Eso-Charis, Elliot, Norma Jean, Uses Fire, The Handshake Murders, Fear is the Driving Force, The Radio Sky
Jay Stacey	bass guitar	1998–1999

Touring musicians
Name	Role	Years active live	Associated acts
Chad Wilburn	auxiliary percussion	1998	Mindrage, Society's Finest
Jim Chaffin	drums	2011	The Crucified, The Blamed, Deliverance
Josh Childers	lead guitar	2010	The Showdown
Brian Shorter	lead guitar	2017	Destroy Destroy Destroy
Bryan Gray	rhythm guitar	2003	The Blamed, Left Out, Mortal, Blenderhead, Six Feet Deep, Rocks in Pink Cement, The Satire, Klank, Mend
Mark Garza	auxiliary percussion	2020	The Famine, Embodyment

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Release Year	Album Title	Record Label
1991	Living Sacrifice	R.E.X. Records
1992	Nonexistent
1994	Inhabit
1997	Reborn	Solid State Records
2000	The Hammering Process
2002	Conceived in Fire
2010	The Infinite Order
2013	Ghost Thief

EPs

Metamorphosis (split EP alongside Circle of Dust, released in 1993)
Subtle Alliance (2002; issued by Solid State Records)
Death Machine (self-released in 2008)

Demos

Not Yielding to Ungodly (1990)
Bloodwork & Burn the End (2000)

Compilation

In Memoriam (a best-of collection issued in 2005)

DVDs

In Finite Live (2011)
30 Years of Sacrifice: The Story of Living Sacrifice (2021)

Additional tracks

"Overkill Exposure" (rough mix exclusive to the sampler included with the 2009 issue of Fuel magazine)
"Something More" (a re-recorded piece from Reborn, featured on the soundtrack for Killing Floor 2#Soundtrack)
"New Day" (originally recorded for The Hammering Process, later released on the benefit compilation We Bear the Scars, supporting Timothy Henderson of Warlord)

Music videos

"...To Nothing" (1992)
"Reject" (1997)
"Rules of Engagement" (2009)
"Overkill Exposure" (2010)

External links

Wilson, Gord (2000) . HM Magazine. Accessed August 25, 2016.