''Reborn'' is the fourth album by the

Christian metal Christian metal, also known as white metal, Jesus metal, or heavenly metal, is heavy metal music distinguished by its Christian-themed song lyrics and the dedication of the band-members to Christianity. Christian metal is typically performed by ...

band

Living Sacrifice Living Sacrifice is an American Christian metal band formed in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1989. The band has released eight studio albums, out of which the first three were recorded under R.E.X. Records with their original vocalist Darren John ...

. The album was released in 1997, and later re-released and remastered in 2004. In 2020, the band announce a vinyl re-release of ''Reborn'', which sold out quickly.

Critical reception

''Reborn'' saw a drastic separation from their previous style, dropping most of the

death metal Death metal is an extreme metal, extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. It typically employs heavily distorted and low-tuned guitars, played with techniques such as palm muting and tremolo picking; deep death growl, growling vocals; aggressive ...

sound of ''Nonexistent'' and ''Inhabit'', in favor of more of a

metalcore Metalcore is a broadly defined fusion genre combining elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk, originating in the 1990s United States and becoming popular in the 2000s. Metalcore typically has aggressive verses and melodic choruses, combined ...

and

hardcore punk Hardcore punk (commonly abbreviated to hardcore or hXc) is a punk rock music genre#subtypes, subgenre and subculture that originated in the late 1970s. It is generally faster, harder, and more aggressive than other forms of punk rock. Its roots ...

sound. The album was well-received by the metalcore and hardcore scene, whereas the death metal scene predominantly disregarded it. The album is widely considered as Living Sacrifice's biggest album. Stephen Thomas Erwine of

AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

wrote "...the average metal fan will find much here of interest, particularly the pummeling riffs and shredding solos." Fred Keel of Jesus Freak Hideout stated "''Reborn'' is a Christian metal masterpiece recommended for fans of

Demon Hunter Demon hunter is a demonology-related historic occupation or folkloric character which specializes in killing demons, monsters, or undead creatures. Demon hunter or variations may also refer to: Characters * Demon Hunter (comics), an Atlas/Seab ...

and

Becoming the Archetype Becoming the Archetype is an American extreme metal band formed in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1999. They have released six albums on Solid State Records. ''Dichotomy'', which was released in November 2008, sold around 2,300 copies in the United State ...

." Alex Figgis of

Cross Rhythms Cross Rhythms is a Christian media organisation based in Stoke-on-Trent, England. It operates an FM and online radio station, produces radio shows sent internationally, and its website has resources about contemporary Christian music. His ...

, for the review of the original ''Reborn'' album, gave 10/10 and reported "They leave the listener in no doubt as to their heartfelt desire to share the gospel with those who have ears to hear; tacking the wisdom of the world head on with the seemingly foolishness "I God in Christ, with us much subtlety as a sledge hammer." Tony Cummings, also of Cross Rhythms reviewing the reissue, also gave the album 10/10. "For more enlightened hard rock lovers, here's a chance to hear again a Christian hard music classic in all its brutal glory and catch that master guitarist,

Jason Truby Jason Truby (born June 1, 1973) is an American guitarist. He began his career in 1989 with Living Sacrifice as lead guitarist. He was also a member of P.O.D., but has also performed with Phil Keaggy, David Beegle, Ashley Cleveland and her husba ...

, in pre-

P.O.D. P.O.D. (an initialism for Payable on Death) is an American nu metal band formed in 1992 and based in San Diego, California. The band's line-up consists of vocalist Paul Joshua "Sonny" Sandoval, bassist Mark "Traa" Daniels, lead guitarist Mar ...

days, in the process." There were also several reviews from Cornerstone Magazine, Garlic Press,

HM Magazine ''HM Magazine'' is a monthly, digital and print on demand publication focusing on hard music and alternative culture of interest to Christians. It is based in Houston, Texas. Originally published as ''Heaven's Metal'', it was renamed to ''HM'' in ...

7Ball ''7ball'' is a discontinued Christian music magazine, first published in 1995. They focused on rock, hip-hop, and other "alternative" forms of Christian music. The magazine was initially published by the Royal Magazine Group (a division of Thom ...

, and YouthWorker.

Track listing

Personnel

Living Sacrifice *

Bruce Fitzhugh Bruce Patrick Fitzhugh is an American musician. He is the second lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and founding member of Arkansas's Christian metal band Living Sacrifice. The lead vocalist role was left to Bruce shortly after the departure of Da ...

- vocals, rhythm guitar *

- lead guitar, backing vocals * Chris Truby - bass guitar *

Lance Garvin Lance Garvin is an American drummer and, along with Bruce Fitzhugh, DJ Johnson and Jason Truby, a founding member of the Christian metal band Living Sacrifice. Garvin is mostly known for using a Ride Cymbal in modern metal without making it soun ...

- drums, percussion Production *

Barry Poynter Barry Poynter is an American record producer. He has produced albums for many bands and musicians, such as Soul Embraced, Society's Finest, Living Sacrifice, and The Juliana Theory. He is also a former member of 2 Minute Hate. Discography * '' A ...

- recording, engineer, mixing *

Brandon Ebel Tooth & Nail Records is a record label founded by Brandon Ebel in California in November 1993. The label later moved to Seattle where it is today. History Brandon Ebel and Michael Knott conceived the label as a joint venture, before Knott back ...

- executive producer * Shuji Kobayashi - layout concept, cover concept, photography * Claire - layout

References

{{Authority control Living Sacrifice albums 1997 albums Solid State Records albums