The Metal Crypt - Sacrifice Interview

Interviews

Interview with guitarist and vocalist Rob Urbinati
Interview conducted by Luxi Lahtinen

Date online: May 12, 2024

Live pic of Rob Urbinati by Derek Carr

Sacrifice from Toronto, Canada, formed in 1983, is one of the most appreciated if a bit overlooked thrash metal bands in the world. They have always believed in what they do and never compromised their sound to get more acceptance and attention from mainstream eyes. They have stuck to their guns since day one, churning out authentic, old-school thrash that hasn't left any thrash metal fan cold. Everyone knows the raw-sounding and Slayer-ish debut Torment in Fire (1986) and its follow-up album, Forward to Termination (1987), right?

The band split up in 1993 but resurrected their troops in 2006 and released their fifth studio album, The Ones I Condemn, in 2009. The band played sporadically but never toured for that album.

After that highly appreciated comeback album, fans have been waiting for new music for a long time, some perhaps giving up hope if there was still life in the band in terms of enthusiasm for making new music. Worry not as they have been cooking their next cauldron of hot thrash metal songs in silence, which will contain 11 new songs for the hungry fans.

We contacted band leader Rob Urbinati who kindly gave us a brief update on what's been going on in the band for the past several years...

How's life, Rob? I can assume your life is getting pretty busy, especially now that you have announced on the band's Facebook page that Sacrifice's new record is finished...

Rob: Just regular life has been busy, then on top of that an album to record and mix, rehearse once in a while, and keep our sync sharp. The album wasn't completely finished when that post was made, but pretty close.

VOLUME SIX

What can you reveal about the band's sixth studio album? How does it compare with The Ones I Condemn, especially music-wise and how many songs will it contain? I am sure the fans are also curious to know what is the (working) title of this new Sacrifice album?

Rob: I think the track count is 11 songs. Our working title is Volume Six. It definitely sounds like a Sacrifice record. There are elements from our entire history in it and us pushing forward. Compared to our last album, it is as aggressive if not more in spots and there is also the Sacrifice light and shade in parts. I'm not going to be that guy that says it's our best and heaviest record ever, the listeners can decide that. We are proud of this album.

15 LONG YEARS

The band's comeback album, The Ones I Condemn, was released in July 2009. Why did it take 15 long years to get this follow-up album recorded?

Rob: Sacrifice isn't a full-time band. We have lives just like anyone else, and we also have this band. I think it took this long to forget how much work making an album is. When you are a full-time musician, you really have to enjoy what you do because it still takes up an enormous amount of time. We also live pretty far from each other.

You have always said that you really don't want to rush things when it comes to making songs that sound like Sacrifice songs. Do you believe this has been the case with this new album?

Rob: Yes, we aren't into filler. I get it if you're a touring band expected to release an album every year and you're on your 10th album, that every song might not be completely inspiring. Every album we have, there are some new things and ideas, but the core sound of the band is there. We don't want to rehash things, but we don't want to change our style either. All our albums sound different to me. Sacrifice is a very aggressive band and that will never change.

THE LAST CLASSIC THRASH BAND WITH ORIGINAL MEMBERS

Do you believe one of the band's true strengths is that you have had the same lineup since the band's debut album Torment in Fire, meaning each of you knows how the band should sound?

Rob: Absolutely! I like the fact that we surprise each other, and we are all confident in each other. We are the last classic thrash band with original members. That blows my mind!

Do you believe that due to this gap of 15 years between your previous album and the new record, the band has missed many cool opportunities to play live?

Rob: We don't play live all that often but really at this point we don't even need to release an album. Most people want to hear our first three albums live. Right now, it feels like way too long since we've played live.

Do you see this new album as a sort of new beginning for Sacrifice?

Rob: No, I don't look at it that way. We aren't doing this to make a comeback. Speaking for myself, I am completely fine with where we are in the metal world. I love playing music but I'm not in it to be a rock star. We've always been an underground band and I am grateful to have albums that have weathered time.

Are you going to release this new album on your own, or will there be some record label behind it that will take care of the release?

Rob: This will be released on Cursed Blessings in North America, still negotiating for the rest of the world.

OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE THE BEST SONGS AND TEAR IT UP LIVE

How do the dynamics between the band members work in Sacrifice in 2024? Does each of you think the same way as to how Sacrifice should be all about since you started working together to create the band's debut album?

Rob: Gus and I are the only ones that live in the Toronto area. Joe and Scott live pretty far from us, but we all keep in touch. We've been friends since we were kids so it's almost like family. The band feels the same as it always has but possibly better. We all feel lucky to have people that have stuck with us from the beginning and to have new people listening to Sacrifice all the years in between. Our goals have always been just to make the best songs we can and tear it up live. We don't have a huge management company or huge record company pressuring us to do anything. Everything is on our terms.

Since you have been like brothers to each other for a very long time, do you think that's an advantage compared to having hired some completely new guns to the band lineup over the years?

Rob: All I can say is we are happy where we are with the band and the fact that this isn't our job somehow makes it more enjoyable. It makes our music honest.

OF PLAYING LIVE – BACK THEN AND TODAY

You have the Maryland Deathfest XIX in Baltimore, USA and the Alcatraz Festival in Kortrijk, Belgium, coming up this year. Will there be any other shows on your bucket list this year?

Rob: We are also booked for California Deathfest in October of this year.

Doing long tours is a whole different thing compared to playing one-off shows here and there. Would you be up for doing a longer tour (like 2 or 3 weeks) if a reasonable opportunity for it was offered to the band?

Rob: I highly doubt it. Where we are in life, it would take a lot for us to do a tour again. It would have to be more than a reasonable opportunity.

Do you also hope that you can bring the band to every corner of the world, like playing in Japan and Australia at some point?

Rob: We all love Japan and would play there again definitely if possible. Australia also, we have never played there. We have hardly touched Europe or South America. We love playing places we haven't been to before.

Would you say that you still enjoy playing live as much today as you did when you were in your twenties? Has your viewpoint about playing live changed over the years?

Rob: I feel like it means more now. When you're in your 20s, you think it will last forever. When you can see the end of the band on the horizon, you appreciate it more.

OK, I have one more question then I'll let you go for a second cup of coffee. What kind of hopes do you have about times to come in general once the band's new album is out for the fans?

Rob: I just look forward to everyone being able to enjoy the album. We don't really have any expectations of becoming a massive act or anything. We recorded an album that we are very proud of and can't wait for everyone to hear it.

That was all I had in mind at this time. Thanks a lot, Rob, for having this nice conversation with me, and I wish you all the best with the band in the coming months. Any closing words to wrap up this conversation properly?

Rob: Just want to say thanks, Luxi. You've been a huge supporter of Sacrifice, and we appreciate you.

Other information about Sacrifice on this site

Review: Torment in Fire

Review: Forward to Termination

Review: Soldiers of Misfortune

Review: Apocalypse Inside

Review: The Ones I Condemn

Review: Live in 85

Review: Torment in Fire

Review: Forward to Termination

Review: Soldiers of Misfortune

Interview with vocalist and guitarist Rob Urbinati on November 16, 2013 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)

Interview with guitarist and vocalist Rob Urbinati on February 11, 2021 (Interviewed by Luxi Lahtinen)