It’s in Toronto, Canada, that in a deathcore band named Brand Of Sacrifice was formed in 2018.
Composed of five members, Kyle Anderson (vocals), Michael Leo Valeri (guitar), Liam Beeson (guitar), Dallas Bricker (bass) and Rob Zalischi (drums), the band introduces us today to their second album titled Lifeblood composed of 12 songs, self-produced and released on March 5, 2021.
We begin with Dawn, which sets the album’s pace. A quite raw and short song that makes us sink into its atmosphere. We go for Demon King, which was released as a single but also a video clip before the album release, accompanied by backing vocals, some nice vocal variation, a catchy rhythm and an enjoyable break! We fall for this nice voice that announces the beginning of Animal, a song with more choirs than in the last song. I won’t lie, that’s my favorite song of the album, variations between main and backing vocals are made to call the break on the end, and this song is amazing. We change of ambience with Altered Eyes, a very heavy song, some nice instrumental parts, chaining with an instrumental part giving some riffs a strength to end on greasy notes. Let’s go with Prophecy of the Falcon, a song with a guest appearance from Frankie Palmeri (Emmure). The song is energetic, with still those backing vocals giving an epic side to the track, and one of the best breakdown from this album. Short instrumental transition with Perfect World, accompanied by a soft voice, which gives the song a movie soundtrack shape.
But it won’t last forever, Mortal Vessel comes as a bomb and immediately puts us back in the ambience: fastness, effectiveness, all that we can expect from the band! The song is explosive, very heavy on some parts, and it features Ben Duerr (Shadow of Intent, Hollow Prophet). We continue with Foe of the Inhuman, which is another featuring, but this time with Eric Vanlerberghe (I Prevail). The composition is very vivid with a catchy chorus and an instrumental part that strengthens the song’s energy with a massive and delightful break. Let’s go for Vengeance. I personally love the instrumental part that begins the song, it gives a great shot to the sound, between howlings and clean vocals. Transitions are perfect for this song with Jamie Graham (Viscera, ex-Heart Of A Coward). Greasy and fast? Sure that’s Ruin! Accompanied by Tyler Shelton (Traitors), I will repeat myself but this song is heavily energetic! Penultimate song of the album on a very soft and melodic note, Corridor of Dreams offers a short instrumental break before leaving for the last song of the album with the eponymous Lifeblood that strongly begins. Really strong. Heavy riffs, heavy breaks, let’s say thank you to Brand Of Sacrifice for this insane song.
We can say that Brand Of Sacrifice offered us a very good album for 2021, Lifeblood will turn your stomach upside down. With many guests as well as many guests, this album is full of good surprises, so… hope you enjoy it!
96/100
Written by Grindcoeur