SACRIFICE hailing from Toronto, Canada were formed in 1983. They were active from 1983 to 1993, and then from 2006 onwards. The Thrash Metal outfit released two live albums and now their sixth full-length album. “Volume Six” has a length of about 41 minutes, and it was released in US via Cursed Blessing Records and in Europe, Asia, and Australia via German Heavy, Thrash, and Doom Metal specialists High Roller Records. The album starts with a short, tension-building intro leading into the frantic track “Comatose”. It is a traditional Thrash Metal song at blistering pace with aggressive and tight guitar riffing. The vocals are harsh and vary between the medium and higher end of the vocal range. The track is fast throughout without any notable twists in rhythm or tempo. The melodies are mainly provided by the lead guitar contributions and a very contributing lead guitar solo. “Comatose” is an excellent opening track. “Antidote Of Poison” starts with an extended instrumental part setting the scene for the track at mid-tempo. The guitar riffing and the vocals maintain a high aggression level, while the melodic framework is orientally inspired. There is an abrupt tempo change for the break, which is played at crazy pace including the lead guitar solo. “

Antidote Of Poison” is the official lyric video release, and the YouTube link is provided below. “Missile” starts with thunderous guitar riffs transitioning into the fast verse part, which is driven forward by flesh-ripping guitar riffs. The vocals are a very aggressive delivery fitting perfectly into the sound. The chorus part is relatively short and comes alongside with an abrupt change towards a slow tempo. Highlight of the track is the extended lead guitar solo. “Underneath Millennia” starts with the guitars and crushing basslines. The verse part includes powerful guitar riffs at a measured tempo. It is a change in sound, going a bit away from traditional Thrash Metal towards more complexity and the inclusion of progressive Thrash elements. The melodies of the lead guitar solo have, once again, some oriental vibes. “Your Hunger For War” continues with the oriental melodies in the riffing. Starting with the verse part at mid-tempo and tight riffing, the tempo goes up quickly. While the riffing is tight during the verse parts and the bridges, it is thunderous during the short chorus part. Part of the SACRIFICE signature sound are the lead guitar solos, which are highlights at any single track. “Incoming Mass Extinction” starts fast right from the first note. The guitar riffing is a mixture of powerful riffs during the verse and chorus parts, and tight riffs during the break. It is a relatively short track as well as “Lunar Eclipse”, which is a two-minutes guitar-driven instrumental. “Explode” goes back into traditional Thrash Metal modus. It is a fast and aggressive track with tight guitar riffs during the verse parts and a short chorus part with a simple and sing-along chorus line. The break leading into the lead guitar solo is abrupt and the change in tempo and rhythm is likewise drastic. The lead guitar solo is two-parted, the first one at a measured tempo, the second one at insane pace.

 “Black Hashish” starts with an extended tension-building, atmospheric guitar-driven intro at a measured tempo. It leads into another instrumental track, where the focus is put on another orientally inspired melodic framework with the lead guitars driving the track forward. It is an alternation of short atmospheric parts and thunderous guitar riffs accompanied by the lead guitars. It is a bit unusual that an album contains two instrumentals in quick succession. Additionally, “Black Hashish” is with almost seven minutes the longest album track. “We Will Not Survive” goes back to the well-tried Thrash Metal attack at insane pace. The riffing is simple, direct, and aggressive, with the vocals being a perfect fit to the sound on top of it. The pace slows down to mid-tempo for the break, which includes another contributing lead guitar solo. The album finishes with “Trapped In A World” and this is another crazy and short Thrash Metal delivery with some Hardcore vibes.

 SACRIFICE offer an excellent sixth album. “Volume Six” is Thrash Metal at its best: fast, aggressive, but also melodic. The key elements are the guitars, which deliver class in the riffing and the solos. The vocals keep the sound perfectly together. The sound is versatile enough to keep the album fresh and dynamic. The album is well produced. “Volume Six” is a gift for all traditional and modern Thrash Metal fans and I highly recommend adding “Volume Six” to their album collection.