What makes Nonexistent by Living Sacrifice notable?

Nonexistent was notable for its critical reception, receiving praise in various metal circles for its intricate musicianship and lyrical depth. The album helped solidify Living Sacrifice's influence on the emerging metalcore genre, inspiring subsequent bands blending heavy music with spiritual themes. Released in 1999, Nonexistent marked Living Sacrifice's fourth studio album and showcased their evolution into a heavier sound following their previous release, 1997’s Conceived in Fire. This album positioned them firmly within the Christian metal scene while also appealing to a broader metalcore audience.

How many songs are on Nonexistent?

Nonexistent has 9 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Nonexistent

Living Sacrifice · 1999

40 min · 9 tracks · death metal

A relentless fusion of death metal aggression and groove-laden rhythms punctuated by chaotic energy and introspective themes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Nonexistent — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of existential struggle through aggressive riffs and introspective lyrics, making it a cornerstone of Living Sacrifice's identity.
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Haven of Blasphemy — This track features a brutal combination of relentless drumming and dynamic shifts that exemplify the band's ability to blend aggression with melodic elements.
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Chemical Straightjacket — With its intense breakdowns and lyrical commentary on addiction, this track highlights both the personal and societal issues that pervade the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate musicianship and a blend of styles that solidified its place in metalcore's evolution.

What we noticed

The album features complex song structures with frequent tempo changes, shifting from aggressive blast beats to slower, groove-oriented sections.
Vocals alternate between guttural growls and melodic singing, creating a dynamic contrast throughout the tracks.
Several tracks incorporate dissonant guitar riffs that contribute to an overall chaotic sound while maintaining a cohesive thematic focus.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Emerge / Enthroned 4:48
2 Nonexistent 4:59
3 Haven of Blasphemy 2:55
4 To Nothing 3:18
5 Void Expression 5:41
6 Atonement 5:29
7 Distorted 4:40
8 Chemical Straightjacket 4:56
9 Without Distinction 3:33

What to play next

Listen next

The Hammering Process

2000

Go back to

Reborn

1997

Full Living Sacrifice discography Artists like Living Sacrifice

death metal metalcore thrash metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata