Guitarist Paul Flynn formed Vital Remains in 1988. Vital Remains' first
line-up included Paul Flynn on lead guitar, Butch Machado on rhythm
guitar, vocalist Mike Flynn, bassist Tom Supkow and drummer Chris
Dupont. Mike Flynn is credited with coining the band's name. Paul soon
revamped the band with musicians that fit his vision, and added Tony
Lazaro and vocalist Jeff Gruslin to the line-up. Lazaro and Flynn shared
the song writing duties, and released a pair of demos (1989's Reduced to Ashes and 1990's Excruciating Pain).
The band secured a contract with French label Thrash Records, and
released the single "The Black Mass" in 1991. Shortly after the release,
the band signed to Peaceville's subsidiary label, Deaf Records. Vital
Remains released Let Us Pray in 1992, as well as Into Cold Darkness
in 1995. However, the band requested contract dissolution with Deaf
Records, citing poor distribution, and a lack of promotion. In 1996,
Dave Suzuki joined the band, initially playing drums. Suzuki eventually
contributed guitar work, as the band worked on their next album. In mid
1997, Vital Remains signed a two-album deal with Osmose Records. Paul
Flynn left the band, citing family obligations. The band released Forever Underground
in 1997. Chris Ross from Cape Cod joined the band as the vocalist and
Metal Maniacs said "that no band on the planet put on a headbanging show
of satanic fury than Vital Remains." The band released Dawn of the Apocalypse
in 2000, which featured vocalist Thorns (Timothy Donovan). The album
debuted a new, heavier style. Thorns was fired from the band in 2003.
In 2003, Glen Benton, vocalist/bassist of Deicide
joined Vital Remains as a session vocalist for Vital Remains' fifth
album Dechristianize. The album received critical acclaim, and the band
toured in-between Deicide's touring schedule. The band followed up with Icons of Evil in 2007, which also featured Glen Benton as a session vocalist and continued the same musical style as Dechristianize. Vital Remains also released their first live DVD, Evil-Death-Live, through Polish label Metal Mind Productions. Dave Suzuki left the band, shortly after the release of Icons of Evil.
2. Dechristianize 8:56
3. Infidel 6:18
4. Devoured Elysium 5:44
5. Savior To None... Failure For All... 6:37
6. Unleash Hell 5:58
7. Rush Of Deliverance 7:08
8. At War With God 7:55
9. Entwined By Vengeance 10:01
- Tony Lazaro: Guitars (rhythm), Songwriting
- Dave Suzuki: Drums, Guitars (lead), Bass, Lyrics.
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Morrisound Studio, in Tampa, Florida, U.S.A., between April 29th and May 11th 2002.
Re-mixed at Sound Station Seven, in Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.A., between July and December 2002.
Mastered at Masterdisk Studios, in New York City, New York, U.S.A.
"Let the Killing Begin" features a section of Carl Orff's "O Fortuna" and vocal tracks from the movie "The Greatest Story Ever Told".
