The Sacrificed is a heavy metal band hailing from Lakeland, Florida in 2007. At first they fused high energy modern metal/punk guitars with soaring retro/future vocals, before landing on a more straight forward heavy metal sound, reminiscent of bands such as Sacred Warrior, Recon and 'River Disturbance'-era Deliverance. The bands debut album, 'The DaVinci Hoax' was released in 2007.

2012 (2010) ROXX RECORDS

  1. System Failure (Intro)
  2. Freedom
  3. No Promise Of Tomorrow
  4. The Return
  5. The Path To Righteousness
  6. In Heaven
  7. I Concede
  8. Victorious
  9. Father
  10. Saved
  11. Love And Hope - instrumental
  12. Believe
  13. Slay The Wicked (Deliverance cover)
  14. Time - instrumental

Line-up:

Eli Prinsen - Vocals, Guitars

Jay Williams - Drums

Johnny Bowden - Guitars

I learned about The Sacrificed thanks to the Christian Metal Realm discussion board. If my memory serves me, their debut album 'The DaVinci Hoax' got high praises, and the title certainly intrigued me, as the book 'The DaVinci Code' had made quite an impression on the whole world back then. For whatever reasons I never picked up the CD, even though the bands brand of metal should be right up my alley. But when the band was picked up by Roxx Records, and a follow up was announced, I was more than ready to order! '2012' is the title of the sophomore release, and once again The Sacrificed tackles a worldwide controversial phenomenon with their own conviction.

From what I understand, The Sacrificed have gone through some musical conversions over a so far short career span. Originally they started as ore of a punk/metal crossover act. However, on '2012' they deliver straight forward heavy metal, with soaring vocals. They have a lot in common with bands like Sacred Warrior, Haven and Faith Factor. I also detect the apparent influence from Deliverance, and that is not only in The Sacrificed's cover of "Slay The Wicked". This all boils down to well written songs with a strong message. Eli Prinsen is the "star" here, with high octane vocals that Geoff Tate (Queensr˙che) must envy him these days. Overall the album would have benefited with more blistering guitar work here and there, and while the production is not at all bad, it could still have been much clearer. I also think the album would have been stronger with less songs on it. Still, when the brother part of the songs are as strong as they are on '2012' most other minor factors can be overlooked. Fact is, I find '2012' to be one of the better albums released in the Christian metal scene this year! And the kind of metal The Sacrificed plays is definitely needed in mentioned scene nowadays. I'm already anticipating the next move from this band!

The pre-orders of '2012' came with a bonus disc, entitled 'The DaVinci Hoax and Beyond', featuring the completely remastered debut album, plus several demo tracks, recorded by Eli's former bands, Sealed Fate and Sceptre. It also features brand new artwork done by Brian Marshall, also responsible for the artwork and layout for '2012'.

Rock trivia: Eli Prinsen replaced Jimmy Brown in Deliverance during the bands scheduled concert at Nordic Fest in Norway, November 2010, due to problems with Jimmy's passport. Rumors have it that he did a phenomenal job.

Killer tracks: Freedom, No Promise Of Tomorrow, he Path To Righteousness, I Concede, Victorious

The Sacrificed also appear on:  

Tributes - 'Temporary Insanity - A Salute To Deliverance'