Music

HIGH FIVES: Sacrifice

by Sam Sutherland

Every week, High Fives asks five bands five themed questions over five days. This week, we’re continuing to prepare for the Great Holiday Onslaught by talking about holidays, tobogganing, and themed movie marathons.

Sacrifice are one of the two best metal bands to have ever emerged from the frozen tundra of Canada, ever. Formed in Toronto in 1984, their inspired blend of thrash and more thrash turned a generation of hoser bangers onto the power of speed, whammy bars, and gnarly ways to write your band name. Their dedication to spreading the metal gospel led to a wave of young Canadians picking up guitars with the sounds of their classic debut, Torment in Fire, ringing in their ears; I seriously just finished an interview with a guy who played in the first (ever) hardcore band in Saint John, New Brunswick, and he completely attributes the rise of original punk, hardcore, and metal in Saint John to the time that Sacrifice bothered to stop and play their little town at the end of the ‘80s. If that’s not enough, ‘Peg punk pro-stars Propagandhi have never stopped singing the band’s praises (literally), writing about going to see the band on Supporting Caste’s adorably dorky metal love song, “The Banger’s Embrace.” Now, the two are paired forever in Canadian punk history, having just released a split 7” last week on Winnipeg’s amazing War On Music Records.

Do you celebrate any holidays during The Holidays?

We celebrate Christmas. I am not religious to say the least, but I like this time of year to spend with family and friends. That is the meaning of this time of year for me, I get to see relatives… my brothers and their families, have fun, eat, drink, be merry.

What is the best holiday song, or holiday record?

King Diamond, “No Presents For Christmas.” If there is one thing I dislike about December, it’s having to endure listening to bad songs like “Winter Wonderland” over and over.

Forced to program a day-long marathon consisting of only one holiday movie (like they do with A Christmas Story every year), what film would you choose, and why?

Probably An American Christmas Carol starring The Fonz. A close second would be Bill starring Mickey Rooney.

Were you ever forced to dress up in a particularly adorable / foolish way as a child around this time of year?

I can’t recall anything that hideous, but I’m sure there were a few bad sweaters.

Is tobogganing a great way to spend your time over the holidays, or the greatest?

It would be the greatest way to cripple me.

How over this are you?

I think I was over it about 30 years ago when my freshly waxed toboggan flew down a hill and abruptly stopped on the bank of a ditch. It felt like a car accident.