BRAND OF SACRIFICE – “Lifeblood”, the Revival of Deathcore

SUMMARY

IN SHORT

BRAND OF SACRIFICE hales from Canada and is based on a famous manga and anime called Berserk, following the tale of Guts as he battles against demon apostles after a brand of sacrifice was placed on him. Being a themed band allows BOS to tell a story that has spanned one EP and two full-length albums, making the connections between songs or albums when discovered very fulfilling almost as though you discovered a members-only secret. BOS was originally a side project but their first EP The Interstice hit the scene out of nowhere and was very well received and followed up by 2019’s God Hand. Since the release of God Hand, the band has gone fully independent.  Kyle (vocals) and Leo (guitar) make all of the merch designs and Leo recorded and produced the newest album.

IN DEPTH

Lifeblood opens with “Dawn” and instantly your ears are filled with screeching guitars and a drum groove. It’s a short track at under two minutes and with Kyle’s vocal style you cannot wait for the next track. I look at this song as a tease of what the rest of Lifeblood has to offer.

The second track entitled “Demon King” was the first single released back in December 2020 and the hype for this album began. Kyle’s vocal range has grown over the years and this song is a perfect example of that. The track opens with blast beats attacking you in the most satisfying way combined with the heavy chug of guitars. Upon entering the first chorus, there is an operatic choir in the background! This is one of the first times additional sounds or effects are used that can be heard throughout this album. Midway through Kyle delivers some of the most brutal vocals I have heard from any band. The seamless transition from the lowest of lows to his blood-curdling highs is so unique.  Especially when combined with the atmospheric choir, this creates a sound that is unexpected from the genre and makes you wonder where the album could go from here?

The third track was released as a single and is called “Animal”.  It is easily the most accessible song for people that might be newer to deathcore.  This borrows inspiration from metalcore and is overall a song with a more traditional structure. This song has an instrumental intro paired with another chorus giving it a very ambient and calm beginning, until the chorus peaks. Once that happens you are attacked with shredding vocals for a short time until it goes back to the choir and synth as the chorus; however, this time they are layered with Kyle’s deep growling vocal style which continues to be a treat for the listener. Once you think you have this song figured out, everything pauses for some amazing choir and drum pairing.  This made me smile and brought me back to the classic ride or china cymbal “ting” before a big breakdown as if I was listening to old JEROME or JOB FOR A COWBOY. It was a subtle highlight for anyone listening, then you are suddenly transitioned to a wonderful moment of group vocals.  This is followed by another brutal breakdown this time accompanied by what I can only describe as a pulsing synthesizer. Another fantastic song with elements that you just don’t expect from bands in this genre.

Song four entitled “Altered Eyes” has a very industrial feel to it. This was the last of four singles to be released and upon listening to it for the first time I honestly was not a fan. I felt that it was almost too sporadic to follow.  I chose to just listen to the other singles and was still excited for the record overall. Upon release, I gave it another listen and I must have just had an off day because this is easily one of, if not my favorite, songs on the album. I know, I know, all I have to say are good things, but hey it’s a fantastic album. Of all the songs on this album, I feel that this one is the “grooviest”.  The main riff forces your head to bang as the softer melodies are accompanied by what sounds like a retro gaming effect.  It is subtle but very pleasing for the listener. Lyrically this is one of my favorites of the album, the description of being weighed down by demons and the struggle ahead paints a picture in the listener’s mind. Midway thru the constructed chaos that is “Altered Eyes” the drums and backing choir begin almost a battle to be at the forefront of the song.  There is an alternating pattern followed by a build to what I would call the best groove on the record, then immediately a slow and bone-crushing breakdown is unleashed.  Suddenly the song is over and all I could think is I need to hear that again.

Lifeblood has a few features on it from vocalists spanning all genres of metal and something that BOS hasn’t done before but I think worked out very well for the most part. The next song “Prophecy Of The Falcon” features a guest spot from someone you love or love to hate, Frankie Palmeri (EMMURE).  I listened to EMMURE in high school and have seen them live a few times, they are always exciting and put on a great live show.  Frankie has a unique vocal style that fits very well into this song and is a welcome break from Kyle’s powerful well-ranged screams. The final breakdown and fadeout would be amazing to see live once shows return. Give this one a listen and you’ll see what I mean.

“Perfect World” is a calming instrumental track that is welcomed as an atmospheric break from the chaos.  It is very well placed on the tracklist.  Having an instrumental here really helps continue the story that BOS is telling with this record as with the prior album and EP.  It is really fun picking up small clues and references from other albums and songs and tying it all together so well.

Track seven “Mortal Vessel” features Ben Duerr (SHADOW OF INTENT).  Obviously, with this much vocal talent on one track, it’s going to be a banger, to say the least!  If you are not familiar with SHADOW OF INTENT go listen to “The Heretic Prevails” as it shows Ben is easily one of the best vocalists doing it today. Early on you can hear the lines “I will let the animal free” and it remains a theme for the length of the track, as I feel like we are getting into the real thick of the record. This track transitions very well from a slamming drum and vocal groove into blast beats and matching growls that give off a very animalistic feel. The guitars stand out in this track, especially how they control the pace of the song and add all these small highlights again giving it a retro video game vibe. Once Ben enters the track, everything gets even heavier as the animal has indeed been freed. His vocal delivery combined with the talented musicians from BOS gives you a slow but groovy breakdown as it gently fades out and you are instantly led into the next track.

“Foe Of the Inhuman” is the eighth track on this album and similar to “Animal” it has a much more metalcore vibe, at least at the beginning. Eric Vanlerberghe (I, PREVAIL) was a vocal feature I would not have expected to see on a record from BOS but I think it worked well and continues to show the range of the band. An opening of scrambling guitars and pulse-pounding drums gets this track started. Upon entering the chorus this song suddenly feels randomly softer and allows for a singalong, but that doesn’t last long. Eric’s part of the song is layered with a slow-spaced-out build to a very headbangable breakdown, though it is much softer than any other breakdown we have heard thus far.  Suddenly, Kyle takes back over vocally with destructive squeals that attack you relentlessly, then bam right back into that chorus that you just want to sing along with. Overall, a different song but done right.  This was a way to showcase another side of the bands’ skill outside of their “defined” genre.

Track nine is titled “Vengeance” and features Jamie Graham (VISCERA, Ex: SYLOSIS, and HEART OF A COWARD). The opening riff is incredibly bouncy and has a much less chaotic approach to the songwriting. The chugs and overall groove of this song are great. Jamie has a powerful almost shrill aspect to his singing that cuts right through the heavier guitar work in the background of every chorus. The way the screams are layered over the clean chorus is perfect, especially when Jamie lets out a glass breaking high midway through the song right before we are treated to another classic breakdown. Immediately followed up by the bouncy riff from the into as everything closes with a soft fadeout. I felt this track was a little less heavy than some of the others but overall done very well like everything else on this record.

Onto “Ruin” the tenth track on this album, featuring a guest spot from Tyler Shelton (TRAITORS). I get major THY ART IS MURDER vibes right as the song begins especially vocally on the chorus of this song. This track has a much more back to basics feel as there aren’t any electronic elements until the final break down. Instrumentally, especially from the guitar tone, this one has almost an AFTER THE BURIAL djent feel to them that is done very well. The song has a much more open overall feel that works great during the final breakdown.  This allows Tyler’s hardcore and powerful vocal style to shine. Overall, this one has elements of beatdown, hardcore, and djent all mixed with that signature BOS sound. There is a theme going on here, it’s another banger!!

Coming in for song number eleven is another instrumental titled, “Corridor Of Dreams”. The peaceful title of this track fits perfectly, as soft piano washes over you along with some soft and pleasing choir sounds. Kyle has stated this song is the moment Guts realizes how important his love interest is to him and that she is what gives him peace.  She is his Lifeblood. The calm music builds to a peak almost as if waking up from a dream, then suddenly ends.  We move on to our final song of the album.

Finally, we have arrived at song twelve “Lifeblood” opening with a powerful Blegh! The instrumentals begin to build with an open almost atmospheric feel, then Kyle enters delivering powerful vocals as usual.  The track gets into full swing and I found it impossible not to bop my head or tap my toes. The guitars almost sound like laser beams going off in the background as another small element that may take a listen or two to decipher. BOS is bringing everything on this song and it shows, the chorus is fantastically done and I can see people singing along at shows when they return.

Midway thru suddenly the pace quickens, blast beats and fierce fretwork from Leo set up the perfect opportunity for a circle pit, then back to that perfect chorus. Immediately followed by what almost sounds like TV static gives you this sense of heightening anticipation for what is to come. Kyle delivers a very powerful low followed by some quick guitar work that fits perfectly with the drum groove.  Again it’s very fast and subtle but adds a sense of detail to the work and production put into this album. At this point, the final breakdown is coming and you get a sense of everyone in the band just seamlessly flowing together to create something unique and very well executed. Things slow down and a synth and choir are the only things you can hear and you know something heavy is coming. Upon hearing “You are my Lifeblood” the rest of the band immediately jumps back in joining the synth and chorus delivering one last face-melting breakdown and the song fades out. A perfect end to a wonderful album.

HIGHLIGHTS

I love the diversity on the album from the different non-traditional pieces like the synth and the use of choirs.  This made the construction of every song feel different and helped to keep everything feeling fresh from track to track. If I had to choose a few favorites off this record it would be “Lifeblood”, “Foe of the Inhuman”, and “Demon King”.