Things are simple in the case of SACRED DEATH; they tell the story of a GREAT band that never received the recognition it deserved. Yet here we are, almost 35 years after the release of their one and only album, still talking about them.
Somewhere in the mid-1980s, three childhood friends, enchanted by the heavy metal revolution, began playing in small, local bands in the garages of The Salt City. However, it wasn’t long before they decided to forge their own path. That’s when guitarist Jim Pfeiffer, bassist Mike Lanning, and his brother Jeff, on vocals, founded SACRED DEATH. The trio then recruited drummer Mark Baldwin, a high school acquaintance and devoted metal maniac. The addition of guitar virtuoso John Mallia completed the lineup.
Syracuse, New York, had just given birth to a great power/thrash act. In a basement studio, SACRED DEATH created the band’s signature sound, writing their first two demos. The first was the self-titled raw five-song recording made in 1986. Later that same year, the band produced a second five-song demo titled “Scared to Death”. Both demos were clear indicators of what was to come—nothing less than a FULL-FORCE THROTTLE ASSAULT!
What the demos lacked in production quality, they more than made up for in prowess and aggressiveness. It’s no wonder they soon garnered positive reviews from underground zines, fueling the band’s rise.
The band’s big break came courtesy of Scott Sterling at “The Lost Horizon” (a historic Live Music venue in Syracuse, NY, since 1976), who granted them a spot in a local metal showcase, propelling them onto stages alongside titans like MEGADETH, EXODUS, and MANOWAR. After that, SACRED DEATH opened for legendary acts like ARMORED SAINT, MERCYFUL FATE, OVERKILL, and others. They were soon rightfully considered one of the premier power/thrash metal bands in Upstate New York.
As is often the case, just when things started to go well, bad luck struck. However, when personal challenges arose and Mark departed, SACRED DEATH showed their resilience. They quickly found a replacement in Jeff Tortora, whose thunderous beats breathed new life into the band, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to their music and fans.
With their revitalized lineup (Brian Watson was added on guitar alongside Jim Pfeiffer, while John Mallia contributed as a third, guest guitarist), the band entered the studio with engineer and producer Bob Acquaviva – the one who also produced MATAKOPAS and BLACKLIST works among various others. Under Acquaviva’s guidance, SACRED DEATH was eager to unleash their sonic fury, their excitement palpable. The Lanning brothers did an exceptional job with their rhythmic and vocal duties. Each guitarist doubled up on rhythm tracks, creating a wall of sound that reverberated with raw power. Jeff’s relentless drumming, captured in a single take for every song, propelled the album to new heights. The 10-song debut full-length “Deadly Playground” quickly took shape.
The album, released only on cassette in 1990 through the small indie label ICE Records, unfortunately, wasn’t enough to launch the band’s career. The early 1990s had already brought significant changes to the global music scene. Heavy metal was sustained by the resilience of already established bands, the incredible devotion of fans across the globe, and the genre’s adaptability, diversity, and inexhaustible momentum.
Although SACRED DEATH’s debut may stand as noteworthy as those of METALLICA, ANTHRAX, EXODUS, and MEGADETH – alas, it was released a few years later! – and despite all efforts, the elusive big record deal remained out of reach.
The album’s most important quality is its consistency despite its versatility. The old-school thrash sound is dominant, but elements ranging from crossover to power metal are evident, keeping the listener hooked from beginning to end. Lyrically, the album addresses political and social issues as well as the position of man in that era and society – all topped with a slight hint of Christian teachings.
Eventually, members began to leave the band, and new members joined. The band planned to re-enter the studio with the new lineup to record a second album. However, that never happened, signaling the end of an era for SACRED DEATH.
Though their second album never saw the light of day, their legacy is a testament to their unwavering dedication and the indelible mark they left on the Syracuse music scene.
The album was remastered by Jamie King Audio in Winston-Salem, NC, and new cover artwork was created by Steven Cobb.
“Deadly Playground” was re-released on May 31st by Heaven and Hell Records, both digitally and on CD.
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
You can order the CD here.
