''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 Johnso ...

. 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 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 growling vocals; aggressive, powerful drumming, feat ...

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

metalcore Metalcore (also known as metallic hardcore) is a fusion music genre that combines elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. As with other styles blending metal and hardcore, such as crust punk and grindcore, metalcore is noted for its use of ...

and

hardcore punk Hardcore punk (also known as simply hardcore) is a punk rock music genre and subculture that originated in the late 1970s. It is generally faster, harder, and more aggressive than other forms of punk rock. Its roots can be traced to earlier punk ...

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 music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

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 an American Christian metal band from Seattle, Washington, started in 2000 by brothers Don Clark and Ryan Clark. Although the brothers created the band together, only Ryan remains, since Don left the band to take care of his ...

and

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

." 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. Hi ...

, 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 musician. 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 husban ...

, in pre-

P.O.D. P.O.D., an initialism for Payable on Death, is an American Christian metal band formed in 1992 and based in San Diego, California. The band's line-up consists of drummer and rhythm guitarist Wuv Bernardo, vocalist Sonny Sandoval, bassist Traa ...

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 headquartered in Houston, Texas. The magazine states that its goal is to "honestly and accurate ...

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 Thoma ...

, and YouthWorker.

Track listing

Personnel

Living Sacrifice *

Bruce Fitzhugh Bruce Fitzhugh is the second and best known 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 former lead Darren Johns ...

- rhythm guitar, vocals *

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

Lance Garvin Lance Garvin is an American musician 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 ...

- drums, percussion Production * Barry Poynter - recording, engineer, mixing *

Brandon Ebel Brandon Ebel is the founder, president and CEO of Tooth & Nail Records. He founded the label in 1993 in California, United States. The label has since grown to include sub-labels BEC Recordings, Solid State Records and Uprok Records. Ebel has c ...

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

References

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