This is, arguably, the first true Christian thrash metal album. Sure, Bloodgood worked as the transition into what was the inevitable evolution of Christian hard music, but Vengeance Rising pushed it over the edge with their first album, Human Sacrifice.
This was released in 1988, so to many, it may seem dated. That's because it is, really. To many in that era, and several in this day and age, Human Sacrifice is, and continues to be the first Christian album that blows their speakers out. From the opening power chords of "Human Sacrifice", to the anthem "Burn Satan Burn", to the classic "White Throne", to the controversial "Fill This Place With Blood" (the band was trying to convey a sense of terror for those thrown into the eternal pit of fire, whereas many mistook it as doing an actual sacrifice on the album. . .how they came to that conclusion is beyond me). . .this is just good, bang thy head fun.
7/10
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #114Reviewed by Jamie Lee RakeAqua Net prettyboy metal would yet rule Sunset Strip for a while. But Vengeance Rising’s Human Sacrifice drove a nail in its mascara’ed coffin with as much force as the spike through Christ’s palm pictured on this album’s still-bracing cover. Stryper may have been wanting to send the devil to hell, but Roger Martinez sung to Satan in guttural intelligibility that he’s going to “Burn” down there,…Adonai Metal Rock #3Reviewed by J. Le Bavouill'hardTranslated from the original French Imagine five explosive bipeds, weaned on speed, who, touched by Divine Grace, had tipped over, manes all out, into the radiant universe of White Metal...! But no need to let the imagination slog on any longer, since these eardrum descalers do very much exist and are currently imposing themselves as the number one of the Christian speed metal scene. These…Heaven's Metal #18Reviewed by Doug Van PeltThis album is utterly awesome! I used to not appreciate thrash. It used to not impress me. A friend once gave me tickets to see Metallica two years ago and I came away wondering what all the fuss over thrash was about. All these attitudes, of course, were demolished when I first heard the Vengeance demo. I love it! Vengeance is extremely tight. The vocal sound is very, very intense. When the band…Similar sounding releases
1993PossessionThe Unnameable Suffering
1993BetrayalThe Passing
1990SacramentTestimony of Apocalypse
1990TourniquetStop the Bleeding
1994ForbiddenDistortion
Drop DeadDeath by FusionMore from Vengeance Rising
1991Destruction Comes
1990Once Dead
1993Anthology
1992Released Upon the EarthVengeance Video
