Once upon the Cross
Deicide · 1995
28 min · 9 tracks · death metal
A relentless barrage of guttural growls and thunderous riffs that embody the raw essence of death metal.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Once Upon the Cross — The title track encapsulates the album's harsh sonic landscape with its relentless tempo and confrontational lyrics, setting the tone for the entire record.
-
→
Kill the Christian — This track exemplifies Deicide's unabashed approach to controversial themes, showcasing their signature blend of blasphemy and brutal instrumentation.
-
→
When Satan Rules His World — With its anthemic chorus and blistering guitar work, this song stands out as a fan favorite that highlights the band's thematic focus on anti-religious sentiment.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album delivers relentless aggression with solid craftsmanship, though it may not offer deep rewards on repeated listens.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent tempo that rarely dips below fast, maintaining an aggressive pace throughout.
- Guttural growls are layered over heavily distorted guitar riffs, creating a dense and chaotic soundscape.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. 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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short, intense listening sessions
- consistent energy throughout album
- immediate hooks and energy
- front-loaded pacing
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Once Upon the Cross is Deicide's fourth studio album, released in 1995 after their breakthrough with Legion in 1992. By this time, Deicide was solidifying its reputation as a leading force in the death metal scene, following a string of controversial releases that pushed boundaries in both sound and lyrical content.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Cannibal Corpse· Obituary· Behemoth
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Once Upon the Cross 3:34
- 2 Christ Denied 3:39
- 3 When Satan Rules His World 2:54
- 4 Kill the Christian 2:57
- 5 Trick or Betrayed 2:24
- 6 They Are the Children of the Underworld 3:11
- 7 Behind the Light Thou Shall Rise 2:57
- 8 To Be Dead 2:39
- 9 Confessional Rape 3:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.