Canada’s Thrash Legends Sacrifice returns with the sixth album, the aptly named Volume Six.  It’s been a minute since their last one, The Ones I Condemn, was released in 2009, that was their comeback album and I guess this would be considered another comeback album?

Suffice it to say I interviewed this very same band on Teeth of the Divine in 2014 and asked if they were working on new material which they were…and now 11 years after that conversation here we are,  The band members, all having jobs, families and such took time away from bumping out a n album quicker.  The same bunch returns with the classic lineup: Scott Watts – Bass, Rob Urbinati – Guitars/Vocals, Joe Rico – Guitars and Gus “Go Maple Leafs” Pynn – Drums.  Believe it or not this thrashterpiece bests their last album.  Holy smokes!

“Comatose” starts this 11-song album off with a soft intro right before the slide and into the thrash. Urbinati sounds flawless on this entire album.  Vintage and classic pissed-off snarled vocals.  Excellent bass guitar sound as well as the dueling guitars of Rob and Rico.  Excellent harmonies as well as guitar soloing happening.  Gus hitting the drums as if his life depended on it.  He is on point with his beats.  A catchy main guitar riff, over the speedy thrash parts, will rope you in!  What an opener.

“Antidote of Poison” is a slow burn of a song and very heavy.  It does have some mid-paced galloping, classic 1989 style and it’s quite terrific.  The 2.30 part with the isolated guitar riff – well that is the Holy Shit part.  You guessed it – goes right into the full-on thrash speed and holy crap – just listen to the guitar riffing going on.  Legendary and classic.

Sacrifice shows no sign of letting up because “Missile” is next and it’s shot right out of the cannon at pure thrash warp speed.  Great drum rolls at the 1.50 mark, before the speed returns.  Adventurous and thrilling part with the harmonies and then guitar solos.  Yeah…Hit that whammy bar!!!!  Many classic nods to their prior material, harkening all the way back to the insane Torment in Fire from 1986.  The drums at the end of this song are absolutely incredible and the mix is perfect.

“Incoming Mass Extinction” is a two-minute burst of energy with tons of thrashing going on, massive riffage, and solos – the song placement in the middle of the album is a smart choice.  On the flip side is “Black Hashish” a six+ minute instrumental.  You all know my thoughts on these.  So yeah, not the biggest fan of them at all on albums.  However this instrumental is crafted as such that vocals would not have fit at all.  The musicianship is stellar and impressive.

“We Will Not Survive” is up next and thrashes from beginning to end.  Incredible opening riff – one of the best and most memorable songs Sacrifice has crafted.  Vicious.  Excellent mid-paced rumblings and atmosphere towards the end, until the speed returns.  This song has to be in their live setlists now.

Volume Six is a stellar thrash album from Sacrifice.  Tons of thrashing going on, well-played, musicianship is elite and most of all this sucker is catchy, just like their prior albums.  Very memorable and just makes me want to listen to it more and more.  The production and mix are excellent and a lot of power as well.  Such a great album and while it’s so early in 2025, and I know Warbringer, is dropping their new one, etc.., but this Sacrifice album is stunning.  Buy or Die!!

[Visit the band's website]

---

Comments