Sacrifice (CAN)

[Horex]

Sacrifice - Forward To Termination (1987) (Restless Records Edition 1988)













Year : 1987 (Restless Records Edition 1988)
Style : Thrash Metal
Country : Canada
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 94 mb

Bio:

Sacrifice is a Canadian thrash metal band from Toronto, Ontario. The band was formed by guitarists Rob Urbinati and Joe Rico in 1983. Sacrifice played a prominent role in the 1980s underground metal scene in Toronto, and grew to release four studio albums before parting ways in 1993. After coming back together to play a reunion concert in 2006, they released their fifth studio album The Ones I Condemn on Brazilian label Marquee Records in 2009. Although the band faced numerous lineup changes, especially in their early days, founding guitarists Urbinati, Rico and bassist Scott Watts recorded every studio album and demo and drummer Gus Pynn on everything but the Apocalypse Inside demo and CD.Friends and guitarists Rob Urbinati and Joe Rico decided to form a metal band in 1983, playing covers of some of their favourite songs. They recruited Rico's friend Scott Watts to play bass, and Andrew Banks on drums, who was replaced by Craig Boyle. Singer John Baldy, a friend of Boyle's, also joined the band.Together they recorded a pair of rehearsal tapes — featuring their first original song "Turn in Your Grave", along with a variety of covers of songs by bands such as Black Sabbath, Metallica, and Judas Priest.By early 1985, the majority of the band had decided to move towards a heavier and faster direction with Urbinati on vocals, ousting Baldy and Boyle, and were therefore in need of a new drummer. Ernst Flach filled the position for only a few live shows before leaving, as his drumming style did not fit the fast pace the band wanted to play. It was not until Gus Pynn had contacted the band for an audition that they finally found a permanent drummer.Now that they had a complete lineup, local record store employee Brian Taylor approached Sacrifice and local friends Slaughter to finance the recording of demos for these two bands in exchange for the profits made by selling the tapes at his shop.Both bands agreed, and Sacrifice released The Exorcism demo featuring new original songs.Later that year, Sacrifice opened a show in Toronto for Exodus, who were on their first North American tour. Sacrifice credits the growth of their band and the Toronto underground metal scene in general to their appearance at this show. As a result, the band signed a contract with Diabolic Force.In the fall of 1985, the band entered the Future Sound studio, to record the debut album Torment in Fire. The album was released in the same year in Canada on Diabolic Force, and in 1986 on Metal Blade Records in the United States and on Roadrunner Records in Europe. Until the album was released, the band worked on new material and finished it at the end of 1985.In July 1986, the band recorded another demo in the Open Sound Studio. This was followed by an appearance in Kitchener, Ontario, with Megadeth as the opening act for King Diamond.In September they played in Quebec City and the No Speed Limit Festival at the Spectrum in Montreal together with Possessed, Voivod, D.R.I. and Agnostic Front.In November 1986 Sacrifice opened up for Slayer on their Reign in Blood tour at the Concert Hall in Toronto.In January 1987, the first appearances outside Canada followed with concerts in Detroit and Chicago. There followed further appearances in Canada until April 1987. The Band then entered Grant Avenue Studio in Hamilton, to record the album Forward to Termination. It was released again on Diabolic Force, Metal Blade and Roadrunner Records for the US and Europe.A music video for the song "Re-Animation" was also filmed.These were followed by the Milwaukee Metal Festival in July 1987 along with bands such as Death Angel, Trouble and King Diamond. In November 1987, they played with Nuclear Assault.Appearances in Ottawa, Quebec City and Montreal followed in December.In December 1988 the band went into the Studio to record a new demo; Bassist Scott Watts played the electric guitar on a couple of out-take songs. A few days later Sacrifice performed as opening act along with the Goo Goo Dolls for Motörhead in Buffalo and Rochester. In 1989 the band recorded another demo. A few months later the band entered Phase One Studios in Toronto to record another album. It was produced by Joe Primeau and Brian Taylor. Again released on Diabolic Force, the album was titled Soldiers of Misfortune.The album was released in March 5, 1991.They also released a video for the song "S.O.M.". Towards the end of the year a tour followed with Razor.Drummer Gus Pynn left the band and was replaced by Mike Rosenthal, formerly of Dark Legion.In 1991 the band toured the U.S with British band Bolt Thrower and American thrash band Believer.In 1993 Sacrifice went back to Phase One Studios to record the album Apocalypse Inside which was released on Metal Blade records. It was co-produced by Dave Carlo (guitarist with Razor).During that summer bassist Scott Watts parted ways with the band and was replaced by Kevin Wimberley.After a tour of the United States in the same year in which the band supported Death, Sacrifice called it quits.Urbinati went on to form Interzone (with Wimberley), Tenet (in 2002), and War Amp (in 2005).In 2004 Brazilian record label Marquee reissued the Bands first 3 Albums on CD .Although the band faced numerous lineup changes, especially in their early days, founding guitarists Urbinati and Rico and bassist Scott Watts recorded every studio album and demo and drummer Gus Pynn played on everything but the Apocalypse Inside demo and CD.

Album:

I'm always rather surprised when I'm reminded that bands like Sacrifice are Canadian. I just don't associate this kind of raging fun with Canada. I can associate progressive and technical acumen with them: Rush, Voivod, Cryptopsy, and Gorguts. These bands are all renowned for their quirkiness and technique. Cryptopsy might be more known for their brutality, but the skill is there whereas Sacrifice is essentially just straight-ahead fun thrash. This isn't to say they can't play, but it's not a major feature.The production on here is a little rough, but not seriously. Torment in Fire was much rougher. This is more like Darkness Descends with less of the fuzziness. I would say that this production works well for the album at hand. The band still has this wild energy to them and the less than perfect sound compliments this well.The guitar players are quite clear in the mix as every riff can be enjoyed to their fullest. There are quite a few enjoyable riffs in here. They're not especially technical, but their not trying to be. The riffs are forceful, fast, and as heavy as they need to be. Thankfully, there is a good deal of variety in their riffing, so none of the simpler riffs overstay their welcome. The solos aren't anything wonderful, but there's few of them so no harm done.The drumming is pretty good for thrash. He can go pretty fast, he has good fills, and he hits hard enough. Surprising for a recording of this quality, the drum sound is very good. It can get a little buried from time to time, but it is a pretty ideal sound. The bass is submerged for most of the album except for Forever Enslaved and then it is very loud. He tosses in a few nifty fills, so when audible he's not bad.The vocalist is somewhat unusual. He reminds me of Don Doty or a young Schmier. He's definitely unpredictable with his wild screams approach to the music. I like it, and it's not uncommon for thrash. Could I envision a metal fan not liking it, of course, but probably one who isn't big into thrash anyways.Considering the nature of the record as a fun romp, this does the job quite well. It is a very nice, brutal thrash record that I could just put on and enjoy. The reason for its high rating is that I can't think of any really legitimate complaints. The reason it's not any higher is because Dark Angel essentially outdid this album the year before. I would recommend this album to anyone who likes thrash.

Line-Up:

Rob Urbinati - Guitars (1983-1993, 2006-present), Vocals (1985-1993, 2006-present) - see also: Interzone, ex-Tenet
Scott Watts - Bass (1983-1993, 2006-present)
Joe Rico - Guitars (1983-1993, 2006-present)
Gus Pynn - Drums (1985-1990, 2006-present) - see also: ex-The 3Tards

Tracklist:

01. Forward to Termination 01:02
02. Terror Strikes 03:28
03. Re-Animation 03:49
04. Afterlife 04:14
05. Flames of Armageddon 07:49
06. The Entity 05:44
07. Forever Enslaved 03:09
08. Cyanide 03:38
09. Light of the End 04:49
10. Pyrokinesis 02:06




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/

[Horex]

Sacrifice - Torment In Fire (1985) (High Roller Records Edition 2022)













Year : 1985 (High Roller Records Edition 2022)
Style : Thrash Metal
Country : Canada
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 89 mb

Bio:

Sacrifice is a Canadian thrash metal band from Toronto, Ontario. The band was formed by guitarists Rob Urbinati and Joe Rico in 1983. Sacrifice played a prominent role in the 1980s underground metal scene in Toronto, and grew to release four studio albums before parting ways in 1993. After coming back together to play a reunion concert in 2006, they released their fifth studio album The Ones I Condemn on Brazilian label Marquee Records in 2009. Although the band faced numerous lineup changes, especially in their early days, founding guitarists Urbinati, Rico and bassist Scott Watts recorded every studio album and demo and drummer Gus Pynn on everything but the Apocalypse Inside demo and CD.Friends and guitarists Rob Urbinati and Joe Rico decided to form a metal band in 1983, playing covers of some of their favourite songs. They recruited Rico's friend Scott Watts to play bass, and Andrew Banks on drums, who was replaced by Craig Boyle. Singer John Baldy, a friend of Boyle's, also joined the band.Together they recorded a pair of rehearsal tapes — featuring their first original song "Turn in Your Grave", along with a variety of covers of songs by bands such as Black Sabbath, Metallica, and Judas Priest.By early 1985, the majority of the band had decided to move towards a heavier and faster direction with Urbinati on vocals, ousting Baldy and Boyle, and were therefore in need of a new drummer. Ernst Flach filled the position for only a few live shows before leaving, as his drumming style did not fit the fast pace the band wanted to play. It was not until Gus Pynn had contacted the band for an audition that they finally found a permanent drummer.Now that they had a complete lineup, local record store employee Brian Taylor approached Sacrifice and local friends Slaughter to finance the recording of demos for these two bands in exchange for the profits made by selling the tapes at his shop.Both bands agreed, and Sacrifice released The Exorcism demo featuring new original songs.Later that year, Sacrifice opened a show in Toronto for Exodus, who were on their first North American tour. Sacrifice credits the growth of their band and the Toronto underground metal scene in general to their appearance at this show. As a result, the band signed a contract with Diabolic Force.In the fall of 1985, the band entered the Future Sound studio, to record the debut album Torment in Fire. The album was released in the same year in Canada on Diabolic Force, and in 1986 on Metal Blade Records in the United States and on Roadrunner Records in Europe. Until the album was released, the band worked on new material and finished it at the end of 1985.In July 1986, the band recorded another demo in the Open Sound Studio. This was followed by an appearance in Kitchener, Ontario, with Megadeth as the opening act for King Diamond.In September they played in Quebec City and the No Speed Limit Festival at the Spectrum in Montreal together with Possessed, Voivod, D.R.I. and Agnostic Front.In November 1986 Sacrifice opened up for Slayer on their Reign in Blood tour at the Concert Hall in Toronto.In January 1987, the first appearances outside Canada followed with concerts in Detroit and Chicago. There followed further appearances in Canada until April 1987. The Band then entered Grant Avenue Studio in Hamilton, to record the album Forward to Termination. It was released again on Diabolic Force, Metal Blade and Roadrunner Records for the US and Europe.A music video for the song "Re-Animation" was also filmed.These were followed by the Milwaukee Metal Festival in July 1987 along with bands such as Death Angel, Trouble and King Diamond. In November 1987, they played with Nuclear Assault.Appearances in Ottawa, Quebec City and Montreal followed in December.In December 1988 the band went into the Studio to record a new demo; Bassist Scott Watts played the electric guitar on a couple of out-take songs. A few days later Sacrifice performed as opening act along with the Goo Goo Dolls for Motörhead in Buffalo and Rochester. In 1989 the band recorded another demo. A few months later the band entered Phase One Studios in Toronto to record another album. It was produced by Joe Primeau and Brian Taylor. Again released on Diabolic Force, the album was titled Soldiers of Misfortune.The album was released in March 5, 1991.They also released a video for the song "S.O.M.". Towards the end of the year a tour followed with Razor.Drummer Gus Pynn left the band and was replaced by Mike Rosenthal, formerly of Dark Legion.In 1991 the band toured the U.S with British band Bolt Thrower and American thrash band Believer.In 1993 Sacrifice went back to Phase One Studios to record the album Apocalypse Inside which was released on Metal Blade records. It was co-produced by Dave Carlo (guitarist with Razor).During that summer bassist Scott Watts parted ways with the band and was replaced by Kevin Wimberley.After a tour of the United States in the same year in which the band supported Death, Sacrifice called it quits.Urbinati went on to form Interzone (with Wimberley), Tenet (in 2002), and War Amp (in 2005).In 2004 Brazilian record label Marquee reissued the Bands first 3 Albums on CD .Although the band faced numerous lineup changes, especially in their early days, founding guitarists Urbinati and Rico and bassist Scott Watts recorded every studio album and demo and drummer Gus Pynn played on everything but the Apocalypse Inside demo and CD.

Album:

High Roller Records, 20 pages booklet, poster, mastered by Patrick W. Engel at Temple of Disharmony.The relatively high score given here is largely due to this album’s pioneering value, and is not based on musical or production qualities. I’ve played this effort and Possessed’s “Seven Churches” back to back several times, including once earlier this year, and I can’t possibly fathom how the Americans’ opus was shot into the stratosphere praised by both critics and fans for being the definitive death metal precursor when there was a more intimidating and more belligerent piece of “death art” released at the same time. “Seven Churches” simply sounds too mild and coyishly meek compared to the compulsive outburst of brutality here, and apart from bits and pieces of dark oppressing atmosphere it doesn’t really have any redeeming death metal-ish merits…Something that can’t be said about the album reviewed here which wants your heart and soul from the very first cacophonic distorted notes of the opening intro “The Awakening” which transforms into the chaotic violent mess that is “Sacrifice”, the guys trying to capture the vigorous waywardness of the Bathory number of the same title, the musicianship only marginally more proficient than Quorthon’s (R.I.P.) pristine barrage. “Turn in Your Grave” is another hyper-active basher the delivery constantly shifting from furious gallops to more brutal proto-deathy outrages Urbinati’s hellish, apocalyptic screamy vocals literally bringing hell to your house. “Homicidal Breath” is surprisingly laid-back, a mid-paced stomper all the way, and “Infernal Visions” continues with the surprises by providing a portion of tasteful melodic hooks; the guys “ruin” it all, of course, later with the first genuine death metal melee served, the band alternating both sides till the end which comes in the form of screamy piercing leads.“Burned at the Stake” exudes cold-blooded, almost doomy composure initially, its ominous atmosphere interrupted by the speedy strokes in the second half. “Necronomicon” is a short bursting rager, total early death metal madness with a more officiant stomping break; and the instrumental “The Exorcism” is the next in line precursor to the death metal hordes the neck-spraining mosh virtually never-ending here, 3-min of unrelenting squashing bash. “Possession” is ridiculously over-the-top brutality bordering on grind/hardcore, and “Decapitation” is full-fledged death metal with hardcore assisting on the side again to make sure the violence reaches a culmination not without the help of Urbinati who is quite unrestrained here threatening to seriously hurt his vocal chords. “Beyond Death” has to slow down after such an exhausting “shower”, and it does indeed although the faster-paced dashes still dominate the landscape making it a tad mellower than the preceding batch.It’s quite interesting to note that all these early progenitors of death metal (Sacrifice, Messiah, Sepultura, Protector, Sarcofago, Possessed, Vulcano, etc.), not to mention the myriads of equally as essential underground heroes, never continued with these brutal sounds; each of them epitomized a more controlled, thrash-fixated, shall I also add more proficient, approach on subsequent works, like they didn’t quite trust themselves that they could pull it off all the way to the blooming of a new “breed”. So said genre had to bloom without them, at least Death stayed around to ensure that occurred, while our Canadian friends together with the others settled for the good old thrash which at least in the mid-80’s was way trendier and more preferred by the audience than those alien, ultimately aggressive tunes.It’s not certain whether Sacrifice would have still been considered as important to the development of Canadian metal if they had stayed within the confines of their pristine, raw, semi-amateurish early repertoire... most likely not; the 80’s were times for experimentations, for attempts to push the boundaries of what was possible within the music arena… the artists were hardly thinking of any particular labels to describe their style, the least of all their early unpolished exploits. Cause it was out of these primal, underdeveloped roots that the “monster” known as death metal sprang up, and this violent, over-the-top piece of aggression from the icy shores of Canada is a most affirmative proof of that.

Line-Up:

Rob Urbinati - Guitars (1983-1993, 2006-present), Vocals (1985-1993, 2006-present) - see also: Interzone, ex-Tenet
Joe Rico - Guitars (1983-1993, 2006-present)
Scott Watts - Bass (1983-1993, 2006-present)
Gus Pynn Drums (1985-1990, 2006-present) - see also: ex-The 3Tards

Production:

Recorded At – Future Sound Studio, Toronto
Cover, Artwork By – Al Warnock
Engineer – Ted Kent
Photography – Harry Tong, Nelly
Producer – Brian Tailor

Tracklist:

01. The Awakening 01:35
02. Sacrifice 03:10
03. Turn in Your Grave 03:55
04. Homicidal Breath 02:54
05. Warrior of Death 03:07
06. Infernal Visions 02:35
07. Burned at the Stake 04:44
08. Necronomicon 02:37
09. The Exorcism 02:55 instrumental
10. Possession 01:52
11. Decapitation 01:35
12. Beyond Death 05:33




Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/