Chicago metal band Aftermath has marked its 40th anniversary by releasing a re-recorded version of its 1985 track 'Sentenced To Death (They Die You Die)' along with a new lyric video. The song, originally captured live in one take for a 1986 demo, now features modern production with all four current members recording together. This release previews the band's upcoming fourth studio album.
Aftermath, formed in October 1985 in Chicago and fronted by Kyriakos “Charlie” Tsiolis, built a reputation for pioneering crossover thrash with technical prowess. The band’s early demos, including the 1986 release featuring “Sentenced to Death,” “Revenge,” “Shotgun,” and “The Aftermath,” captured their raw energy, though members disliked the initial production quality.
For their 40th anniversary in 2025, Aftermath revisited the track, re-recording it properly at Electrowerks Recording with engineering and mixing by Chuck Macak. The band stated, “It took 39 years to record it the right way, and we are so happy to finally get it the way we always imagined it should be, that we decided to include it on our upcoming album.” This version evokes early thrash roots while delivering polished sound from the full lineup: Tsiolis on vocals, Steve Sacco on guitar, Ray Schmidt on drums, and George Lagis on bass.
Currently finalizing their fourth studio album, Aftermath described it as “heavy, it’s catchy, and in typical Aftermath fashion it sounds totally different from our previous albums.” Additional details on the album’s title, tracklist, and release date are forthcoming.
The band’s history includes lineup shifts, such as John Lovette’s brief bass stint before switching to guitar, and challenges like a delayed 1990s debut album due to label issues. Notably, Aftermath successfully sued rapper Dr. Dre in 1996 over the 'Aftermath' name, leading to a settlement and a signing with Interscope Records. Recent releases include the 2017 concept album There Is Something Wrong and 2023’s No Time to Waste, completing a trilogy. A 2020 cover of John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance” highlighted their evolving messages.
