SACRIFICE - Soldiers of Misfortune LP (PURPLE)

Following on from first generation Canadian speed metal pioneers Anvil and Exciter and heavily influenced by local Toronto thrash legends Razor, Scarborough’s own Sacrifice set out to make history a short while later in 1984.
Scarborough is situated at the east end of Toronto, roughly a 20-minute drive away from the city (or alternatively a good hour by public transport). Although there is no question that downtown Toronto was the mecca for metalheads in Ontario, Scarborough always had its own local scene.
When Sacrifice released their debut album »Torment In Fire« in 1986, reactions were really encouraging, at home in Canada as well as globally. Consequently Rob Urbinati (vocals, guitar), Joe Rico (guitar), Scott Watts (bass) and Gus Pynn (drums) wasted not time in recording their follow-up. »Forward To Termination« saw the light of day not even twelve months later in 1987 (again on Fringe Product). It was the band’s mentor Brian Taylor who thought it would be best if the band was striking the iron while it’s still hot.
Sacrifice took a little longer to record their third album »Soldiers Of Misfortune«, which was issued in Canada on Fringe Product in 1990 and on Metal Blade in the States in early 1991. “When we wrote the record, we wanted to play more musically with the same aggression as on the last record,” explains guitarist Joe Rico, “it was the most musical record we have written. There was some really good songwriting on that record.” Co-guitarist and singer Rob Urbinati adds: “We were definitely a lot tighter and better on our instruments. We were also listening to a lot of 70s stuff we grew up with, like Rush, Sabbath, Rainbow, those influences maybe came out a bit more too. The fast stuff was faster, but we also added more dynamics to the songs. Sometimes having a softer guitar part can make the next part even heavier. Our songwriting took another step. I consider »Soldiers Of Misfortune« to be our best album.” Drummer Gus Pynn, who is rarely doing interviews at all, shares the opinion of the majority of his colleagues: “The musicianship was heads and shoulders above what we had done on »Forward To Termination«. We spent a long time writing and perfecting that record. The song writing was way better as well.”

Deep purple vinyl, ltd 400, 2 inserts, poster, Mastered for vinyl by Patrick W. Engel at TEMPLE OF DISHARMONY

High Roller Records 2022