On April 18, 1995, DEICIDE released "Once Upon the Cross," their third studio album and one of the most controversial records in death metal history. The album's cover art depicting a forensic autopsy of Jesus Christ, combined with Glen Benton's virulently anti-Christian lyrics, ensured maximum outrage from conservative groups while thrilling death metal fans worldwide. Musically, "Once Upon the Cross" represented a streamlined, more accessible approach compared to the technical complexity of "Legion," with shorter songs and catchier arrangements that made it their most commercially successful release. The Hoffman brothers' dual guitar attack remained devastatingly effective, while Steve Asheim's drumming was characteristically explosive. Tracks like "Once Upon the Cross" and "When Satan Rules His World" became live staples. The album debuted at number twenty-six on the Billboard 200, impressive for uncompromising death metal. "Once Upon the Cross" proved that DEICIDE could provoke and deliver punishing heaviness in equal measure, cementing their status as death metal's most notorious band.