Sacrifice – Volume Six

As we go about our everyday lives, we are always in some way thinking or dreaming of the future. It can be anything in everyday life. To get that place of your own, to meet that special someone, to have Slayer reforming and recording a brand new album, and for Motley Crue to just stop and quit making a travesty of itself. It’s just at times expectations can be a mindfuck. You anticipate, you dream and dwell on that one moment of what you envision or what you dream about forever ( in this case, Sacrifice reforming), and when it’s in your hands or there in front of you, it may not be what you hoped for or expected.

Now, I will be the first to admit that the band was not the highest priority in my rotation in those early days, but I did have ‘Forward To Termination’ and ‘Soldiers Of Misfortune’, which I did like at the time, because I was a Metalhead, you know? But me being the snot-nosed, pimply faced runt I was, they were a little too technical for me; they were a more “thinking man’s” Thrash band. I sought the energy and aggression of Sodom and Kreator, as well as the speedy riffing and tempos of Forbidden and Exodus. So with time and the many years that have passed, I feel that I’ve become a much more well-rounded purveyor of all that is Metal. So when word came out that Sacrifice had recorded a new album, I was a bit curious. Just to back up a bit they have always been semi active in recording some sporadic singles and even releasing some live albums from some occasional shows but this was to be the first real album since 2009 ‘The Ones I Condemn’ Again full disclosure granted I was aware of this release, I was not overly eager or even looking for it. But when I saw the cover art, the imagery, and the colors utilized, I thought, “Oh, what the hell, let’s give it a listen. Well, call me a dumbass because after just the first few listens, I was hooked. These guys have not missed a step in any way and (I think) have improved upon their sound and have put forth a stunner of an album that is a bit modern but harkens and gives a definite nod to the old days.

You see, it’s not just one thing that I can describe to you that will tell you how good this release is. It could be the production, which is spot on and highlights each of the members. The beginning stop/start riffing on ‘Antidote of Poison’ or how about the Kreator like gallop and pace of ‘Explode’ Each song and one cover are representative of the band’s history, and yeah, there have been some negative rumblings about the 2 instrumentals, but in my eyes (and ears), they offer an interlude of sorts. They are not filler in any way, and especially the second instrumental, which is over six minutes long, provides a melodic and atmospheric variation in its overall tone. It includes some Mediterranean elements along with female chants added to heighten the overall mood. Plus, it also gives each member a minor display of their instruments. Did everybody cry or throw up their hands in anger when Metallica recorded Orion on the now legendary Master Of Puppets? No, they did not. (We did when they released Load & Reload….j/k) I can go on and describe the merits of each song, but for the most part, we all know how Sacrifice sounds. To add to that point, the band consists of all original members. How many current bands can add that to their resume?

So sit back, read the lyrics, envision the artwork, let it all take you on a journey, a journey to the past while also bringing you and the band into the present. Hopefully, the future is bright for Sacrifice, and we can expect more music from the band.