Sacrifice (band)

Sacrifice
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1983 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Founder	Rob Urbinati, Joe Rico
Headquarters	Toronto, Canada
Products	Studio albums, live performances

Sacrifice is a thrash metal group originating from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, founded in 1983 by guitarists Rob Urbinati and Joe Rico. The band produced four studio albums prior to their breakup in 1993. After reuniting for a live performance in 2006, they released their fifth studio effort, The Ones I Condemn, through the Brazilian label Marquee Records in 2009. Despite numerous changes in personnel over the years, the founding guitarists Urbinati and Rico, along with bassist Scott Watts, participated in every studio album and demo recording. Drummer Gus Pynn performed on all recordings except for the Apocalypse Inside demo and album.

Formation and initial four albums

Sacrifice was established in 1983 by Rob Urbinati and Joe Rico, initially performing cover songs before adding bassist Scott Watts and drummer Andrew Banks (who was later succeeded by Craig Boyle). Their early rehearsals featured original compositions like "Turn in Your Grave" alongside covers from bands such as Black Sabbath and Metallica.

By 1985, the group adopted a heavier musical direction, with Urbinati taking over vocal duties following Baldi's exit; Boyle also departed due to creative disagreements. After a short tenure by drummer Ernst Flach, Gus Pynn joined the band, completing the lineup. Brian Taylor, an employee at a local record store, funded demo recordings in return for rights to tape sales profits. Sacrifice issued The Exorcism demo and supported Exodus on their North American tour, which increased their visibility and led to a contract with Diabolic Force.

In 1986, Sacrifice recorded their debut album Torment in Fire, which was distributed in Canada by Diabolic Force and internationally through Metal Blade Records (United States) and Roadrunner Records (Europe). The band continued writing new material while sharing stages with acts such as Megadeth, Possessed, and Slayer.

In 1987, Sacrifice expanded their presence into the United States with performances in Detroit and Chicago before recording Forward to Termination at Grant Avenue Studio. This album was released again via Diabolic Force, Metal Blade, and Roadrunner labels. Promotion included a music video for "Re-Animation" and appearances at prominent festivals alongside bands like Death Angel and King Diamond.

Toward the end of 1988, the band recorded demo tracks that featured Watts playing guitar on some songs. They opened for Motörhead during a New York show before entering Phase One Studios in Toronto to record Soldiers of Misfortune, produced by Joe Primeau and Brian Taylor. Released in Canada in 1990 and later in the US in 1991, this album included a video for its title track. Following this release, drummer Gus Pynn left the band and was replaced by Mike Rosenthal.

In 1991, Sacrifice toured the United States alongside British band Bolt Thrower and American thrash outfit Believer. The group recorded Apocalypse Inside in 1993, co-produced by Dave Carlo of Razor, which was released through Metal Blade Records. That same year, bassist Scott Watts departed and Kevin Wimberley took over bass duties. After completing a US tour supporting Death, Sacrifice disbanded.

Following the breakup, Urbinati formed several projects including Interzone (with Wimberley), Tenet (in 2002), and War Amp (in 2005). In 2004, Marquee reissued Sacrifice’s first three albums on CD format.

Throughout their tenure, founding members Urbinati, Rico, Watts, along with drummer Gus Pynn, were consistently involved in recording sessions except during the final album period.

Reunion

In 2006, the group came back together and took the stage in Toronto during the 'Day of the Equinox II' festival. Although a DVD titled Live Reanimation documenting this reunion was planned, it has yet to be released. That same year, in August, they launched a compilation called 198666, which included three demo tracks along with early live recordings.

Sacrifice entered Rouge Valley Studio in Toronto in 2008 to record The Ones I Condemn, which was subsequently released on July 6, 2009, through Marquee Records in Brazil.

Towards the end of 2010, Sacrifice teamed up with punk outfit Propagandhi for a 7-inch single featuring cover songs: Propagandhi performed Corrosion of Conformity's "Technocracy," while Sacrifice covered Rush's "Anthem." This cover was also featured as a bonus track on the Canadian edition of The Ones I Condemn.

On April 29, 2011, Sacrifice made their European debut at Germany's Keep It True Festival. They later headlined the two-day True Thrash Festival held in Osaka, Japan, in February 2012.

In April 2015, the band toured western Canada with performances at Vancouver’s Rickshaw Theatre and Manitoba Metalfest in Winnipeg. They also served as headliners for Inertia Entertainment’s 20th anniversary event on February 27, 2016, in Toronto.

By 2016, Sacrifice was actively composing new songs intended as a follow-up to The Ones I Condemn. After a lengthy hiatus, they unveiled a demo titled "World War V" in December 2020—marking their first fresh material in over ten years and hinting at an upcoming sixth studio album. However, progress remained slow through April 2022 due to insufficient label backing. Drummer Gus Pynn shared in August 2023 that the band was finalizing new compositions with a potential release slated for 2024.

Completion of the album occurred by April 2024. Guitarist and vocalist Rob Urbinati disclosed that the working title was Volume Six, aiming for a release window in late 2024 or sometime in 2025. The album was officially named Volume Six and launched on February 21, 2025.

Legacy and influence

Sacrifice played a pivotal role within the underground metal scene of Toronto during the 1980s. Alongside Voivod, Razor, and Annihilator, they are acknowledged as part of the "Big Four" in Canadian thrash metal. According to AllMusic, Sacrifice stands among "Canada's earliest and arguably finest pure thrash metal bands."

Their sound has left an imprint on notable heavy metal groups including Sepultura, Cannibal Corpse, and Carcass.

Current

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)

Former

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

Albums

Torment in Fire (1986), Diabolic Force/Metal Blade/Roadrunner
Forward to Termination (1987), Diabolic Force/Metal Blade/Roadrunner/Restless
Soldiers of Misfortune (1990), Fringe Product/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 – special edition double vinyl pressed on red

Singles

"Anthem" (2010), War on Music – exclusive split single released alongside Propagandhi
"World War V" (2021), Cursed Blessings Records