[1] Fronted by vocalist Roger Martinez, they originally formed as Vengeance in 1987, but changed their name in 1989 to avoid conflict with another band from the Netherlands.
Their debut Human Sacrifice was called "the most radical Christian album ever released" by HM Magazine editor Doug Van Pelt.
[citation needed] A review of Once Dead in CCM found that the cover of that albums depiction of "resurrection from spiritual death" was "grisly".
[9] Musically, the album showed an influence of speed metal, with thrash arrangements on some songs, like the cover of Deep Purple's Space Truckin',[9] and "Out of the Will", which reminded one reviewer of One Bad Pig.
[10] While the vocals often sounded "like someone gargling razor blades",[10] the lyrics were found to be "very Bible based,"[10] and matched with the scriptural references from which they were drawn.
[citation needed] Vocalist Scott Waters of Ultimatum and Once Dead stated on his metal music review website that Allmusic lists two releases ... both of which I doubt ever existed ... Former drummer Shannon Frye claims that Martinez was impossible to work with and could not hold on to members long enough to even record a demo.He also claims that Martinez only kept the name of Vengeance Rising because of "continued curiosity from metal fans and Christians alike".
[12]After the September 11, 2001 attacks occurred, Martinez offered free albums from his website for military personnel to encourage a "holy war against Christians".
Former fans and critics believe this to be an attack on former bandmates and Christianity, due to the straining situation of debt that he was left with when band members departed after the "Once Dead Tour".
Former founding members of Vengeance Rising along with Ultimatum vocalist Scott Waters reformed in 2004 to play a reunion show at a small club called Chain Reaction in Anaheim, California.