Sacrifice is a Canadian
thrash metal
Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is an Extreme metal, extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and fast tempo.Kahn-Harris, Keith, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'', pp. 2–3, 9. Oxford: Berg, ...
band from
Toronto
Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...
,
Ontario
Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...
. The band was formed by guitarists Rob Urbinati and Joe Rico in 1983.
The band released 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 line-up changes, especially in their early days, founding guitarists Urbinati, Rico and bassist Scott Watts recorded every studio album and demo with drummer Gus Pynn on everything but the ''Apocalypse Inside'' demo and CD.
History
Formation and first four albums
Friends and guitarists Rob Urbinati and Joe Rico decided to form a metal band in 1983, playing
cover version
In popular music, a cover version, cover song, remake, revival, or simply cover is a new performance or recording by a musician other than the original performer or composer of the song. Originally, it referred to a version of a song release ...
s 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 Baldi, a friend of Boyle's, also joined the band.
[Sharpe-Young, Garry (2007) ''Metal: The Definitive Guide'', Jawbone Press, , p. 139-140] 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
Black Sabbath are an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward (musician), Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler, and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. After adopting the Black Sabbath name in 1969 (the band ...
,
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band. It was formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, and has been based in San Francisco for most of its career. The band's fast tempos, instrume ...
, and
Judas Priest
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band formed in Birmingham in 1969. They have sold over 50 million albums and are frequently ranked as one of the greatest metal bands of all time. Judas Priest have also been referred to as one of the p ...
.
By early 1985, the majority of the band had decided to move towards a heavier and faster direction with Urbinati on vocals ousting Baldi and Boyle had left the band over creative differences, 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 line-up, 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
Exodus or the Exodus may refer to:
Religion
* Book of Exodus, second book of the Hebrew Torah and the Christian Bible
* The Exodus, the biblical story of the migration of the ancient Israelites from Egypt into Canaan
Historical events
* Ex ...
, 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 1986 in Canada on Diabolic Force, and on
Metal Blade Records
Metal Blade Records (often shortened to Metal Blade) is an American independent record label founded by Brian Slagel in 1982 based in the U.S. state of California. The label primarily focuses on heavy metal.
History
Metal Blade Records was ...
in the United States and on
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is a Dutch–American record label focused on Heavy metal music, heavy metal and hard rock music. Founded in the Netherlands in 1980, it is now a division of Warner Music Group and is based in New York City. Formerly seen as ...
in Europe. By the time the album was released, the band worked on new material.
In July 1986, the band recorded another demo in the Open Sound Studio. This was followed by an appearance in
Kitchener, Ontario
Kitchener is a city in the Canadian province of Ontario, about west of Toronto. It is one of three cities that make up the Regional Municipality of Waterloo and is the regional Administrative centre, seat. Kitchener was known as Berlin until a ...
, with
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by vocalist and guitarist Dave Mustaine. Known for their technically complex guitar work and musicianship, Megadeth is one of the "big four" of American thrash metal—alo ...
as the opening act for
King Diamond
Kim Bendix Petersen (born 14 June 1956), better known by his stage name King Diamond, is a Danish rock musician. As a vocalist, he is known for his powerful and wide-ranging countertenor singing voice, in particular his far-reaching falsetto s ...
.
In September they played in
Quebec City
Quebec City is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Quebec. As of July 2021, the city had a population of 549,459, and the Census Metropolitan Area (including surrounding communities) had a populati ...
and the No Speed Limit Festival at the Spectrum in
Montreal
Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...
together with
Possessed
Possessed may refer to:
Possession
* Possession (disambiguation), having some degree of control over something else
** Spirit possession, whereby gods, demons, animas, or other disincarnate entities may temporarily take control of a human body
*** ...
,
Voivod,
D.R.I. and
Agnostic Front
Agnostic Front is an American hardcore punk band from New York City. Founded in 1980, the band is considered an important influence on the New York hardcore scene, as well as a pioneer of the crossover thrash genre.
History First era (1980– ...
.
In November 1986 Sacrifice opened up for
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band from Huntington Park, California, formed in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King, drummer Dave Lombardo and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya. Slayer's fast and aggressive musical style made them ...
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
Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...
and
Chicago
Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...
. There followed further appearances in Canada until April 1987. The Band then entered Grant Avenue Studio in
Hamilton
Hamilton may refer to:
* Alexander Hamilton (1755/1757–1804), first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States
* ''Hamilton'' (musical), a 2015 Broadway musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda
** ''Hamilton'' (al ...
, to record the album ''Forward to Termination''. It was released again on Diabolic Force, Metal Blade and
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is a Dutch–American record label focused on Heavy metal music, heavy metal and hard rock music. Founded in the Netherlands in 1980, it is now a division of Warner Music Group and is based in New York City. Formerly seen as ...
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
Nuclear Assault was an American thrash metal band formed in New York City in 1984. Part of the mid-to-late 1980s thrash metal movement, they were one of the main bands of the genre to emerge from the East Coast along with Overkill, Whiplash, ...
.
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
The Goo Goo Dolls are an American rock band based in Buffalo, New York, composed of lead vocalist and guitarist John Rzeznik, bassist and vocalist Robby Takac, as well as several rotating members since its formation in 1986.
After starting ...
for
Motörhead
Motörhead () were an English rock music, rock band formed in London in 1975 by bassist and lead vocalist Lemmy Kilmister, guitarist Larry Wallis and drummer Lucas Fox. Kilmister was the primary songwriter and only constant member. The band a ...
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 1990 in Canada, and on March 5, 1991, in the United States.
They also released a video for the album's title track. Towards the end of the year a tour followed with
Razor
A razor is a bladed tool primarily used in the removal of body hair through the act of shaving. Kinds of razors include straight razors, safety razors, disposable razors, and electric razors.
While the razor has been in existence since be ...
.
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
Bolt Thrower were a British death metal band from Coventry. They formed in 1986 and released their first album with Vinyl Solution in 1988. The band then shifted to a new record label, Earache Records, soon becoming one of the best selling ba ...
and American thrash band
Believer
Believer(s) or The Believer(s) may refer to:
Religion
* Believer, a person who holds a particular belief
** Believer, a person who holds a particular religious belief
*** Believers, Christians with a religious faith in the divine Christ
*** Bel ...
.
In 1993 Sacrifice went back to Phase One Studios to record the album ''Apocalypse Inside'' which was released on June 15, 1993, 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
Death is the end of life; the irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain a living organism. Death eventually and inevitably occurs in all organisms. The remains of a former organism normally begin to decompose sh ...
, 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 band's first 3 albums on CD .
[Rivadavia, Eduardo]
Sacrifice Biography
, Allmusic
AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...
, retrieved August 6, 2012
Although the band faced numerous line-up 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.
Reunion
In 2006, the band reunited and performed in Toronto at the 'Day of the Equinox II' festival,
their reunion show of which a DVD, ''Live Reanimation'', was planned but not released yet.
[SACRIFICE: First 'The Ones I Condemn' Audio Teaser Available]
, Blabbermouth.net
''Blabbermouth.net'' is a website dedicated to metal and rock news, as well as album and music DVD reviews. It is run by the website's founder Borivoj Krgin. The first version of the website was launched in March 2001. In October 2001, the rec ...
, February 24, 2009, retrieved August 6, 2012 Also in August 2006, they released a compilation, ''198666'', and it has the three demo's and live track's from early years.
In 2008, they entered Rouge Valley Studio in Toronto to record the album ''The Ones I Condemn'', released on July 6, 2009, by Marquee Records from Brazil.
[Sterdan, Darryl (2009) "", ]Canoe.ca
Canoe.com is an English-language Canadian portal site and website network, and is a subsidiary of Postmedia Network. The phrase Canadian Online Explorer appears in the header; the name is also evidently a play on words on canoe (or ''canoë'' in ...
, November 5, 2009, retrieved August 5, 2012
In late 2010 Sacrifice teamed up with punk rock band
Propagandhi
Propagandhi is a Canadian punk rock and metal band formed in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba in 1986 by guitarist Chris Hannah and drummer Jord Samolesky. The band is currently located in Winnipeg, Manitoba and completed by bassist Todd Kowalski ...
to release a 7-inch single where both bands perform cover tunes. Propagandi covered
Corrosion of Conformity
Corrosion of Conformity (often abbreviated as C.O.C.) is an American heavy metal band from Raleigh, North Carolina, formed in 1982. The band has undergone multiple lineup changes throughout its existence, with lead guitarist Woody Weatherman a ...
's hardcore/metal crossover "Technocracy" and Sacrifice covered
Rush's "Anthem". The cover of "Anthem" was included as a bonus track on the Canadian issue of ''The Ones I Condemn''.
On April 29, 2011, Sacrifice finally made it across the Atlantic to play their first show on European soil in Germany at the Keep It True Festival.
In February 2012 Sacrifice crossed the Pacific to play in
Osaka
is a Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan, designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the List of cities in Japan, third-most populous city in J ...
, Japan, headlining the two-day True Thrash Festival.
[SACRIFICE Frontman Interviewed On 'Axis Of Metal' Podcast (Audio)]
, Blabbermouth.net
''Blabbermouth.net'' is a website dedicated to metal and rock news, as well as album and music DVD reviews. It is run by the website's founder Borivoj Krgin. The first version of the website was launched in March 2001. In October 2001, the rec ...
, March 5, 2012, retrieved August 6, 2012
Sacrifice also played shows in western Canada. The original and current line-up played April 17, 2015, in Vancouver at the Rickshaw Theatre and on April 18, 2015, in the Manitoba Metalfest at The Park Theatre in Winnipeg.
Sacrifice headlined the 20th anniversary show of Inertia Entertainment on February 27, 2016, at The Opera House in Toronto.
By 2016, Sacrifice had been working on new material for the follow-up to ''The Ones I Condemn''. There had been no news about new music from the band until December 2020, when they released a demo version of their first song in over a decade on YouTube, titled "World War V", which is expected to appear on the band's upcoming sixth studio album. Progress on the album had continued to be slow by April 2022, when bassist Scott Watts said on Facebook, "I guarantee you that we don't have a label, so there is no rush to record." Drummer Gus Pynn posted an update on the album in August 2023 on Sacrifice's Facebook page, saying they were at their "last practice" preparing new material and suggesting a release date of 2024. Work on the album was finished in April 2024, and a month later, guitarist and vocalist Rob Urbinati revealed ''Volume Six'' as its working title and it was announced that it would be released later in 2024 or 2025. ''Volume Six'' was later confirmed to be the album's official title, and it was released on February 21, 2025.
Legacy and influence
Sacrifice played a prominent role in the 1980s
underground metal scene in Toronto, and along with
Voivod,
Razor
A razor is a bladed tool primarily used in the removal of body hair through the act of shaving. Kinds of razors include straight razors, safety razors, disposable razors, and electric razors.
While the razor has been in existence since be ...
and
Annihilator, they are referred to as one of the "Big Four" of Canadian thrash metal. ''
AllMusic
AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...
'' called Sacrifice "one of Canada's first, and arguably all around best, pure thrash metal bands."
Sacrifice has been cited as an influence on many notable heavy metal bands, including
Sepultura
Sepultura (, "grave")Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 17. is a Brazilian heavy metal band formed in Belo Horizonte in 1984 by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera.Barcinski & Gomes 1999, page 16. They were a major force in the groove metal, thrash met ...
,
Cannibal Corpse
Cannibal Corpse is an American death metal band formed in Buffalo, New York, in 1988, now based in Tampa, Florida.
The band has released sixteen studio albums, two box sets, four video albums, and two live albums. The band has had little radio ...
, and
Carcass
Carcass or Carcase (both pronounced ) may refer to:
* Dressed carcass, the body of a livestock animal ready for butchery, after removal of skin, visceral organs, head, feet etc.
*Carrion, the decaying dead body of an animal or human being, also c ...
.
Lineup
; Current members
* Rob Urbinati − vocals, lead and rhythm guitars (1983–1993, 2006–present)
* Joe Rico − lead and rhythm guitars (1983–1993, 2006–present)
* Scott Watts − bass (1983–1993, 2006–present)
* Gus Pynn − drums (1985–1990, 2006–present)
; Past members
* Andrew Banks – drums (1983)
* John Baldy − vocals (1983–1985)
* Craig Boyle − drums (1983–1985)
* Ernst Flach − drums (1985)
* Mike Rosenthal − drums (1990–1993)
* Kevin Wimberley − bass (1993)
; Timeline
Discography
Albums
* ''Torment in Fire'' (1986), Diabolic Force/
Metal Blade
Metal Blade Records (often shortened to Metal Blade) is an American independent record label founded by Brian Slagel in 1982 based in the U.S. state of California. The label primarily focuses on heavy metal.
History
Metal Blade Records was ...
/
Roadrunner
The roadrunners (genus ''Geococcyx''), also known as chaparral birds or chaparral cocks, are two species of fast-running ground cuckoos with long tails and crests. They are found in the southwestern and south-central United States, Mexico and C ...
* ''Forward to Termination'' (1987), Diabolic Force/Metal Blade/Roadrunner/
Restless
Restless or The Restless may refer to:
Film and television
* ''Restless'' (1998 film), a Chinese-American romance film
* ''Restless'' (2000 film), a Finnish romantic film
* ''The Restless'' (2006 film), a South Korean fantasy film
* ''Restless'' ...
* ''Soldiers of Misfortune'' (1990), Fringe Product – also, Metal Blade
* ''Apocalypse Inside'' (1993), Metal Blade
* ''The Ones I Condemn'' (2009), Marquee Records Brazil – Sonic Unyon/War on Music/Cyclone Empire
* ''Volume Six'' (2025), Cursed Blessings Records
[
]
Compilation
* ''198666'' (2006), War on Music – limited edition red double vinyl
Singles
* "Anthem" (2010), War on Music – limited edition split single with Propagandhi
Propagandhi is a Canadian punk rock and metal band formed in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba in 1986 by guitarist Chris Hannah and drummer Jord Samolesky. The band is currently located in Winnipeg, Manitoba and completed by bassist Todd Kowalski ...
* "World War V" (2021), Cursed Blessings Records
Demos
* ''Rehearsal'' (1984)
* ''Rehearsal No. 2'' (1985)
* ''The Exorcism'' (1985), Diabolic Force
* ''Demo 1987'' (1987)
* ''Demo 1989'' (1989)
References
Sacrifice interview on Voices from the Dark Side by Laurent Ramadier
External links
*
*
*
{{Authority control
Canadian thrash metal musical groups
Musical groups established in 1983
Musical groups disestablished in 1993
Musical groups reestablished in 2006
Musical groups from Toronto
1983 establishments in Ontario
1993 disestablishments in Ontario
2006 establishments in Ontario
Sonic Unyon artists
Metal Blade Records artists