The Classic Metal Album Review:

	Title: Burn the Priest Artist: Burn the Priest Label:Legion Recordings Release Date: 1999 Rating: 5 Skulls
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Reviewed by Hel:
As we, the metal underground, stand poised on the brink of potentially losing our beloved Lamb of God to the mainstream via their new record deal with Epic and their upcoming Ozzfest stint, I believe we should pause a moment to take a look back at their ever-so-brutal beginning. Five years ago, with this, their self-titled debut, they stepped into the world as the rather blasphemous Burn the Priest.
Those of you who have never had the pleasure of hearing this record should know that it has much in common with their work under their Lamb of God moniker. Personally, there’s always been something about this record that I like even more than their later albums, though it is difficult to put my finger on just what that is. I suppose it is the raw, ferocious, “fuck everyone” tone that oozes from every note. I also really like the way the album is produced, with a rich, full sound you rarely find on a debut record from a band on a nondescript label, for which we have Today is the Day’s Steve Austin to thank.
Not long after this record the band added guitarist Will Adler and changed their name to the overtly non-offensive Lamb of God, but they have continued to be a dominant force in the metal underground. I have been watching their meteoritic rise over the years and am impressed with how far they have come. Of course this is the kind of music I think the world should be listening to above all else and the way things are going, it may just be Lamb of God who makes it so, at least for a time.
I have faith that these guys will continue their tradition of metallic brutality with the next album, despite the major label imprint it will come out on. They certainly deserve the success and I look forward to hearing their next offering. In the meantime, I recommend you all snap up your copies of this album the next time you see them live or order it from their website – ‘cause those are the only places you can still get it. [Ed. - On March 22, 2005 a remixed and remastered version will be reissued by Epic] And believe me, you want this for your collection.

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