Sacrifice (Saxon album)

Sacrifice is the twentieth studio album by British heavy metal band Saxon. It was released on 1 March 2013 in Europe, 4 March in the United Kingdom and 26 March in the United States.

Background and production
In late January 2012, drummer Nigel Glockler revealed on Facebook that the band was getting ready to write a followup to the previous year's Call to Arms. About a month later Glockler revealed, again via Facebook, that he and guitarist Doug Scarratt were convening in Glockler's home studio to write before a band meeting in March.

On 30 March 2012, vocalist Biff Byford issued an update stating that the band have a few ideas, and that he had started writing and arranging melodies. Additionally, in July 2012, two short videos were released via YouTube that show band members jamming in the studio.

In mid-August, the band released an update regarding the album. It was revealed that only a few vocals and other small things had yet to be completed. It was also announced that the album would most likely be produced by Andy Sneap. By the end of August, it was announced that the recording had been completed, and Andy Sneap was getting ready to mix the record. By October, the mixing process had been completed.

On 30 October 2012, the band had announced, via their official website, the UK leg of the Sacrifice World Tour which would support the new album, whose title was revealed to be Sacrifice.

The track listing and album artwork was announced on 15 November 2012.

Release and promotion
The album was originally due to be released in several formats starting on 22 February, but due to production issues, the date was pushed back one week to 1 March. The album was released as a CD, deluxe edition, which included a bonus CD of re-recorded versions of older Saxon songs, and a picture disc. In addition, the iTunes release featured an exclusive bonus track, Luck of the Draw.

A world tour followed the album's release. The tour started in the US, and involved an appearance on the Monsters of Rock cruise, followed by South American dates. A UK tour followed in April, and European dates followed, including a headlining appearance at the Bang Your Head!!! festival in Germany and an appearance at France's Hellfest.

To help with promotion for the album, a music video for the album's title track was released on 25 February 2013.

Reception
Mark Gromen, reviewing Sacrifice for Brave Words and Bloody Knuckles contrasted the album with its predecessor by calling the effort more metal than 2011's Call to Arms. Gromen noted that the band had increased the intensity of their songwriting and that the guitars were heavier and faster. He gave the album an 8/10 rating.

Sacrifice was also positively reviewed by Blabbermouth.net, who granted a score of 8/10.