RITUAL SACRIFICE “When Hope Is Pain” /CD/

The debut full-length studio album by American Death/Thrash Metal band.
Rhode Island’s Ritual Sacrifice was formed in 1988 and released five demos from 1989 to 1994. The band recorded their debut, "When Hope Is Pain", in 1995, which meant to be released the same year on Massacre Records. Unfortunately, it remained unreleased because the label decided to focus on different music styles than what the band was playing. "When Hope Is Pain" went unreleased until 2018, when the band made it available digitally. Guitar player Mike Longworth played with Prong for 15 years (as bass player), after Ritual Sacrifice split up in 1996.
"When Hope Is Pain" contains 13 furious and rather Technical Thrash Metal songs. The album relies on the excellent 90s atmosphere and constructs an almost technical oriented approach, with one of the tightest rhythm sections, which is sonically perfect across the entire album. The solos are melodic, peaking with each passing track, and executed with a charming precision. The vocals employ a standard approach, but on the whole the delivery is very Kelly Shaefer’esque, and it works beautifully on this record. 
Ritual Sacrifice has always been compared to bands as Cynic and False Prophet and of course Slayer and Dark Angel. If you like Death Metal even remotely, or a-la Slayer Thrash Metal, you need to check this release out immediately! Recommended, do get a copy!!
The release contains extensive liner notes from lead guitarist Bill Pincins.
Vic Records, 2018/2021 (VIC206CD). Made in Netherlands. Pressed in Poland. First press.


Tracklist:
1. When Hope Is Pain 3:47
2. Once Precious Life 2:47
3. Inhuman 3:19
4. The Shape Of Rage 3:18
5. Drop Dead 3:42
6. Empty Churches 3:36
7. Where Is God? 3:15
8. Speaking In Tongues 1:10
9. Sleep Without Dreams 3:39
10. Less Than Nothing 3:48
11. This Other Self 1:09
12. Final Exit 3:32
13. Open Wound 3:20
Total playing time: 40:22 min.


https://ritualsacrifice.bandcamp.com/