Artist: DEICIDE
Album: ONCE UPON THE CROSS (CD)

Release date: 1995
Media type: CD

With all this notoriety the band built up a loyal fanbase with surprising speed and Roadrunner Records were quick off the mark in re-issuing the AMON demos re-credited to DEICIDE and marketed as ‘Amon: Feasting The Beast’. In a rare guest slot outside of DEICIDE activities Benton aided leading Mexican Thrash act TRANSMETAL with backing vocals on their 1993 'Dante's Inferno' opus.

DEICIDE’s third album arrived in April 1995, 'Once Upon The Cross' immediately provoking outrage with its cover art depicting a slaughtered messiah figure. In the USA large stickers were placed over the offending image. However, upon opening the CD case purchasers were confronted by even more graphic artwork portraying an eviscerated Jesus. Once the shock value had been overcome, the record was given enough impetus to land at a suitable number 66 in the national British charts, unfortunately 'Once Upon The Cross' showed minimal progression.

'Serpents Of The Light' slithered out in October 1997, replete once again with provocative artwork showing Jesus with a forked serpent tongue. The album hosted a fourth round of zero tolerance toward Christianity, included concert favourite ‘Blame It On God’. Live album 'When Satan Lives' emerged a year later.

The band's July 2000 release, the wryly titled 'Insinerate Hymn', proved to be as uncompromising as ever, the unrelenting river of blasphemy triggered by another stage staple ‘Bible Basher’. Rumblings of discontent were boiling to the surface though as the band began voicing dissatisfaction with their label, complaining of an unfavourable degree of promotion and budgeting.

DEICIDE toured as headliners in America during May of 2001 topping a bill comprising MARDUK, GORGUTS and ALL OUT WAR. 'In Torment In Hell' was delivered that September but obviously all was not well in the DEICIDE camp. When reviews pointed towards a roughshod finish, the group claimed Roadrunner Records had released an uncompleted product.

During early 2002 Glen Benton cut session lead vocals for VITAL REMAINS 'Dechristianize' album leading to speculation as to the future of DEICIDE. However, it would soon after be revealed that DEICIDE themselves were in the recording studio cutting a 2002 album. European tour dates slated for November saw the band heading up a bill including BEHEMOTH, DESTROYER 666, DIABOLIC, ANTAEUS and CENTINEX. However, this roster would be subsequently slashed to just DEICIDE, MYSTIC CIRCLE and CENTINEX.

TRACKLIST:

1. Once Upon The Cross
2. Christ Denied
3. When Satan Rules His World
4. Kill The Christian
5. Trick Or Betrayed
6. They Are All Children Of The Underworld
7. Behind The Light They Shall Rise
8. To Be Dead
9. Confessional Rape

LINE-UP:

Glenn Benton (vocals/ bass)
Eric Hoffman (guitar)
Brian Hoffman (guitar)
Steve Asheim (drums)