Vengeance were the first death metal band to be chock full of turn or burn Christian lyrics. The band became Vengeance Rising due to a Dutch band using the same name and potential consequential lawsuits. I remember reading reviews in a couple of fanzines when the album was brand spanking new. One declared "these guys are God, in more ways than one" and the other stated, "I can't help smiling whenever Roger Martinez opens his mouth because Pastor Bob Beeman has no idea what he is supporting". That may have been a big call back in 89 when the album was released in 1988 as all members of the band at the time were church pastors but vocalist Roger Martinez eventually became an outspoken atheist and the band wound up. Although there were rumours of Martinez recording an album full of blasphemous lyrics using the Vengeance Rising name. Personally I didn't care for their second album at all and never really followed the band. This album smokes though due to the thrashy speed, classy bluesy guitar and the S.O.D. influenced tracks. My copy was a cassette tape bought by mail order from a wholesaler with the original band name. I've since learned there were only 1000 of these worldwide and I sold my copy a year or two after buying it. Oh well.
Holy!