Ghost Thief

Regardless of what one may say about this band and their lyrics, the fact is, Living Sacrifice is one of the most influential Christian metal bands. (In the same league of greats like Mortification, Seventh Angel, and Crimson Thorn) However, in recent times this band has gone through many trails and tribulations.From their disbandment, to their sub par reunion album, these guys needed a step in the right direction. Thankfully, they got it with 2013's Ghost Thief. This album features some new additions and guest vocals.("Screwtape" Ryan Peter of Demon Hunter, and "Despair" with Dave Peters of the band Throwdown for additional vocals) I will state Ghost Thief is not their best, not their most influential, nor their most diverse. Instead, Ghost Thief might be a new starting point for a new, refocused, and recharged Living Sacrifice.

This album features a few metal influences from death and thrash metal, and in some cases, that of a metalcore influence, commonly heard on "The Infinite Order." Bruce's vocals sound the same from the last album, in that his growl/bark combination is still decent when taking in the account he is an aging vocalist. The guitar work isn't too bad, in some cases it does get incredibly stale and boring while they are trying to increase the use of melody in the track ("Straw Man" "Mask"). The solos are good, not the most technical nor the most intense from the band, but they still get the job done and add a break from the continuous onslaught of interesting riffs that get boring the longer the track goes. The drumming is easily one of the highlights of this album as it is intense when it needs to be, and mid paced when its convenient to do so. The bass is hardly audible due to the production's main emphasis on the rhythm and percussion department of Ghost Thief. Its mainly there simply to add substance between the six strings and the drum kit. Lyrically, this isn't a 100% Christian album. The lyrical topics mainly cover trials and tribulations, emotions, and the band members dependence on something larger than themselves. If you're a fan of Christian metal and don't mind a few contributing artists from other bands, different genres of metal thrown together in one album (semi-successfully) then by all means do give Living Sacrifice's new album a listen.

Favorite Four Tracks:
"Screwtape"
"Ghost Thief"
"The Reaping"
"American Made"