This sophomore release from Arkansas' Living Sacrifice was originally released in 1992 on the CCM R.E.X. label. After R.E.X. went out of business, Nonexistent was reissued by Tooth & Nail in 1999. Featuring the same lineup that recorded the Living Sacrifice eponymous debut (Bruce Fitzhugh and Jason Truby on guitars, Lance Garvin on drums, and the initials-only D.J. on bass and lead vocals), Nonexistent represents only a subtle progression for a group unafraid to make dramatic stylistic shifts. Heavily influenced by the Florida death metal scene, Living Sacrifice plows through ten violently heavy tracks with excruciating vocal abuse, courtesy of D.J., that is totally unmelodic but never descends to cookie-monster theatrics. Song highlights include the Metallica-inspired "...To Nothing" and "Atonement" as well as "Enthroned," with its expansive guitar riffs. While the term Christian death metal seems like one of music's most comical oxymorons, Living Sacrifice does a decent job proving that the band deserves respect on this, one of its heaviest recordings. ~ Vincent Jeffries