In 2014, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Deliverance at #31 on their list of the best rock albums of 1994.[5] It was certified gold by the RIAA in 2023 for selling over 500,000 units in the United States.[6]
Deliverance received a positive review from AllMusic writer Eduardo Rivadavia, who gave the album four stars out of five, and stated, "With guitarist Pepper Keenan now at the helm as lead singer and principal songwriter, COC abandoned most of the punk influences of their crossover past and turned into a full-fledged Sabbath-inspired metal band with 1994's Deliverance." Rivadavia claimed that the songs on Deliverance are "built on monolithic power chords which range from ferocious speed on 'Heaven's Not Overflowing' and 'Senor Limpio' to slower, groovier numbers such as "Broken Man" and leadoff single 'Albatross.' Second single 'Clean My Wounds' also struck gold at rock radio with its staccato riffing, and 'Seven Days' adds eerie guitar melodies to the mix."[7]
Deliverance was Corrosion of Conformity's first album to enter the Billboard 200 chart; it peaked at number 155, making it their fourth highest-charting album to date.[12] It also peaked at number five on the Heatseekers chart.[13] Both "Albatross" and "Clean My Wounds" peaked at number 19 on the Mainstream Rock chart, making them the highest initial charting single in Corrosion of Conformity's career.[14]
Engineered by Jeff Tomei, Mark Richardson and John Custer, with assistance by Danny Kadar and D. E. G. S.
Mixed by John Custer (tracks 4, 7, 9, 11 and 13), Richard Mouser (track 6 and additional mixing on track 10) and Toby Wright (tracks 1–3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14)