Vengeance Rising: Anthology - Roger Martinez 1962-2025 In Memorial | May Memory Not Fail
(2025 – Roxx Records/Frontline Records)
Many feelings and sensations arise in my head and memory when I return to Vengeance Rising. Their burst onto the scene with their fierce, rough, and rotten Thrash Metal; their decisive influence on many bands that would continue their legacy; their albums and songs that have left their mark on many, but above all, the controversial Roger Martinez, vocalist and frontman of Vengeance Rising.
It is not the idea to revisit the subject. Many already know his story of how, out of the blue, he renounced Christianity, despite the impressive lyrics written for Vengeance Rising. His early death opened the door to remembering his legacy, despite his obvious enmity with his past with Vengeance Rising.
Vengeance Rising was more than just a Thrash Metal band, a genre that was very popular in the late 1980s. Over time, they managed to leave behind memorable albums that today are cult material and an influence for many, with an intensity that is difficult for anyone to achieve today.
That is why, at the right time, someone came up with the brilliant idea of paying tribute to a great band like Vengeance Rising, at a critical moment (given the recent death of Martinez), by re-releasing this “Anthology”; a kind of journey through the band’s discography, perhaps rescuing the most relevant songs from each of Vengeance Rising’s albums.
It should be noted that Anthology was originally released by Intense Records in 1993 and is now being re-released as a kind of memorial to Roger Martinez. According to Bill Bafford of Roxx Records, the original idea was simply to reissue this album, but given recent events, they focused this production on paying tribute to the band’s former vocalist, changing the order of the songs so that they would be in chronological order and adding testimonials from people in the scene who knew Martinez during his lifetime.
All in all, “Anthology” features three songs from 1988’s “Human Sacrifice,” four songs from 1990’s “Once Dead,” three songs from 1991’s “Destruction Comes,” and finally, the last four tracks belong to 1992’s “Released Upon The Earth,” which was ultimately Vengeance Rising’s last album. As a bonus track, an interview from the 1989 compilation Hot Metal Summer II has been added.
So here we have a good selection of songs from each of the band’s albums. “Human Sacrifice” and “Mulligan’s Stew” are two explosive firecrackers and Vengeance Rising classics, and clearly could not be left out of this kind of “Greatest Hits” compilation. Logically, “White Throne,” another classic, could not be left out either.
Then we come across four tracks from their second album, which took Vengeance Rising into much rougher and more rotten territory than their first record. “Warfare” is a good example of this, but “Into The Abyss” was also included in this compilation, despite its length, as well as the energetic “Can’t Get Out.” “Out Of The Will,” one of Vengeance Rising’s most exciting tracks, with a slight punk influence in its conception, could not be left out.
What follows are three tracks from their third album, the underrated “Destruction Comes.” Therefore, logic dictated that “You Can’t Stop It” had to be included, and of course “Before The Time” as well. The surprise is “Countless Corpses,” a song that, while following the line for which Vengeance Rising is known, differs in structure and sound from what we already know.
To finish the journey through the history of Vengeance Rising, we have three songs from what was their last album, known for having a disconcerting sound, so to speak. And that wasn’t the only change. The tone of Roger Martinez’s rotten voice leans more towards the bass, taking Vengeance Rising more towards Death Metal. In any case, the “rehearsal” sound of “Released Upon The Earth” does not prevent us from enjoying good songs such as “You Will Be Hated.” Another important track included is “Bishop Of Souls,” and to finish off this last part of “Anthology,” “Instruments Of Death,” a classic from this album, makes an appearance.
As a bonus track, an interview that originally appeared on the compilation “Hot Metal Summer II” is included.
It is difficult to analyze an album that is presented as a compilation, since the reality is that it is not an album in itself, but rather a selection of an artist’s best work, in this case Vengeance Rising, which is why the differences and variations between the tracks are evident. In any case, it is good material for those who have never listened to Vengeance Rising, as a first step toward getting to know their work.
What we found perhaps unnecessary was the interview added as a bonus track. Perhaps some extras such as live recordings or demos would have been more interesting, or why not, some unreleased track that is lying around somewhere.
The cover is practically the same as the 1993 edition, with the difference being the inscription “Roger Martinez 1962-2025 – In Memorial,” making it clear that this is a small tribute to his legacy. The most interesting part is inside. A booklet that not only includes the lyrics to the songs but also many period photographs and testimonials from several people from the scene who knew Roger personally. Everything is presented in a way that is just right for our taste.
One important detail is that this edition of “Anthology,” unlike the original 1993 release, is available on CD as well as vinyl, which is no small thing.
I’m not a big fan of compilation or “greatest hits” albums, but that’s just my personal opinion. Even so, I recognize the great work and effort that went into re-releasing this 1993 album with a different concept. It’s a tribute to Roger Martinez, who left his mark on an entire generation with his unique voice and sound.
Below are the contact details for Roxx Records, the label that released this album and other great productions and reissues (I recommend them), both on CD and vinyl. And of course, something from Vengeance Rising to remember the good old days of thrash metal that the band used to play. In this case, “Before The Time,” from the album “Destruction Comes,” which is also included in this compilation…
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