Having been a fan since their self-titled debut all the way back in 1991, I was like a little kid at Christmas when I got my hands on The Infinite Order. Seeing the band go through numerous lineup changes and transitions from the Slayer/Death style beginnings (self-titled, Nonexistent, Inhabit) to the more groove oriented (Reborn, The Hammering Process, Conceived In Fire) albums up to now, I feel like I have grown up with these guys over the years. Now Living Sacrifice are back with their new album The Infinite Order and are poised to conquer the world, one soul at a time.

“Overkill Exposure” is a brutal reminder of why Living Sacrifice have had such a long career. It’s a track that instantly grabs you by the neck and completely wrings it. The guitars run at a blistering pace while the drum work is mind-melting and absolutely stellar. If vocalist Bruce Fitzhugh had to stand up and give an introduction for his vocal style (for those who are newbies), it would go something like this: “Hi, my name is Bruce and I’m here to behead you.” I mean, really, Bruce’s voice hasn’t felt this strong and focused since Reborn.

Do you like grooves? Well, the first video and single, “Rules Of Engagement,” will definitely fill that need. The track opens with killer double bass that totally rips your heart out, while the nasty guitar chunk slaps you around more than an all-nighter at Chris Brown’s house. One thing that really caught my ear was the freakin’ sweet Pantera-style riff they incorporate into the choruses. I’m telling you, it’s big, fat, and nastier than Ron Jeremy’s mustache. Sweet!

Songs like “Unfit To Live” and “The Training” fit together seamlessly. With “Unfit To Live,” the opening Slayer-style riff gives way to the brutality that is Living Sacrifice. Honestly, this track reminded me of something off of Napalm Death’s classic Fear, Emptiness, Despair album. All the key elements are there and in tact. Double bass? Check. Brutal guitars that groove? Check. And vocals that destroy? Check! The song perfectly transitions into the monster known as “The Training.” The Machine Head-style intro is absolutely insane! The bottom end created here is enough to blow out your eardrums, while the super-sized riffs and pinpoint vocals totally rip, leaving you trying to catch your breath.

With this album, Living Sacrifice have gone outside their comfort zone a bit by adding a few new elements to their music. Like the late Billy Mays used to say: “But wait, there’s more!” And yes, there is so much more to this band than ever before. Tracks like “Love Forgives” and “Apostasy” are perfect examples of this. The band finds their inner Paradise Lost (Gothic/Shades Of God-era) and totally expands on it. The monolithic, yet very melodic six strings are layered with thunderous drums, monstrous bass, and absolutely vicious vocals. Both songs move along at a more mid-tempo stomp, making them sound even more colossal. The stellar guitar work on “Apostasy” is something that has to be listened to, to be fully appreciated.

One thing that I haven’t mentioned is the fact that Living Sacrifice create this beautifully brutal atmosphere all the while proclaiming their faith in Christ. When you can find music that not only touches your inner demons, but offers a way to destroy them, then you’ve found exactly what your looking for. After it’s all said and done, The Infinite Order is a wonderfully crafted masterpiece of epic proportions!

5.0/5