The Wage of Sin formed in Philadelphia in 1989 with Matt Holt on vocals, Mark Dall on guitar, Tony Rombola on bass, and Mike Roberts on drums. They put out their first album, 'In the Name of the Serpent,' in 1992. Their sound pulled from hardcore and metal, and Holt's lyrics often dealt with religion and social decay, which drew criticism from some quarters.
Things shifted with 1995's 'Burning Bridges.' The title track became a rallying point, and the album's success led to more touring, including shows with bands like Pantera and Slayer. They kept releasing records through the 2000s, including 'In the Name of the Cross' in 2003 and 'Reclaim the Darkness' in 2005. Songs like 'Thoughts Without Action' and 'Cast Away' are part of their catalog.
The lineup has changed over time, with Holt remaining the consistent figure. They've had a confrontational reputation at times, with stage incidents and a lawsuit from a Christian organization in 2001 over their lyrics. They didn't really soften their approach, putting out albums like 'Serpent's Kiss' in 2008 and 'Greater Than Death' in 2017.
Keep it compact: a lyric you come back to, a live memory, or the part of the catalog you would point someone toward first.
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