SACRIFICE - The Album That Re-Launched Gary Numan's Career 

Great video :) I love that the 2 people most responsible for inspiring him to record Sacrifice are Gemma for getting him to listen to SOFAD and Alan Wilder for his crafting of that album (as told in Gary's autobiography) :)

Well done VG, great review. What a shock this album was after M&S. An important moment for Numan and some good songs here. After being spoiled by the songwriting and production values of recent works, you have to be prepared to accept Sacrifice and its rougher edges. Really looking forward to those re-releases...

Hi Vaughn - Loved your analysis on the song Berserker, stripping it back to show what a great song it is. With Sacrifice, there is quite a bit of history behind it which I will share from what I remember as the album isn't purely down to meeting Gemma it has (and it happens often in Numan's career a few happy incidents and other things that went on that ended up being the album it is). Sacrifice actually started out as an album called Vicious and for quite some time it was the working title for the album he started recording this in 1993 with Kipper mainly however he did work with Native Soul (the guys that remixed Cars in 1993) on a few tracks he was working on (Metal Beat which later is released as a bonus track on the remastered version of the album is a demo version of a song they worked on and there did exist a completed version of that song in his cupboard of unreleased material). Whilst writing Vicious he came out with the Radial Pair soundtrack he was also talking to record labels at the time, one of which suggested he record Vocals to the Radial Pair soundtrack as a gap filler before Vicious was completed. Not sure what happened to sign to a record label but if you listen to the Raidal Pair soundtrack if you can get hold of it as in all Numa record releases and his other label Salvation records none are available on streaming platforms. You can hear quite a few tracks in there are early versions of Desire, Scar and A Question Of Faith. The tracks that Kipper featured on were stripped back, Play Like God became a b-side and dropped off the album, Love and Napalm which you mention only has Kipper's synth bass, the guitar in that track is actually Gary and not Kipper. Scar is the only track to remain pretty much intact that does feature Kipper, none of the other tracks on the album does. The album then became Sacrifice and pretty much followed the route and sound he started on the Radial Pair soundtrack obviously listening to Gemma's advice and very much Depeche Mode's SAFAD. As for the instruments used on the album, the majority of the percussion loops are indeed sample CDs the opening track Pray the drum sample in there was used by many artists in that period and quite a few film trailers used it. The majority of the snare sound is actually taken from the M1 and put through a reverb/delay (not sure what outboard gear he used for effects). However, the drums come from the Drums 1 and Drums 2 kits of the M1. You might be right about the Love and Napalm snare but then again there are quite a few from the Korg M1exR (module version of the M1) that sound very much like it. He used the patch Vox Concrete quite a lot on this album too taken from the Korg Wavestation and also he still used the Roland D50 in places on this album. I do agree with you though that the album when it came out whilst the tracks were more melodic in style than what he'd done on some of his previous albums I couldn't;t understand at the time what had happened to the production values and mixing values he had on previous albums they were completely missing and it very much did sound very Mono and narrow in the overall sound and mix. I remember a funny story with this album and the Dark Light Live album where a lot of fans complained about the sound and he replied that it must be our stereos although when he later built a new studio before Exile he admitted that he'd wired his old studio incorrectly and only found out later he'd done so and that was the reason the overall sound of the albums (Outland, M&S and Sacrifice) very much sounded flat overall bearing in mind from the album Outland he decided to Produce, Mix and Engineer the albums himself. Personally, I think the Sacrifice album is an album of Demo's nothing more, but it's pretty much the final album for me where they are very melodic in nature as he later moves into the layering sound territory and away from purely melodic songs on later releases.

Hi Vaughan I've got the original sacrifice album cd.Ive also had it signed by Gary & Gemma . You were right as gary credited Gemma as assistant engineer

Hope Sacrifice gets redone soon as I desperately need it and used prices are as bad as diesel!

Wow! those are great albums love this, Vaughn George!

In 1994 after a nearly decade long struggle, Gary Numan released "Sacrifice", the album which started and rebooted the positive momentum of his career.

Bro, I've missed your reviews!

Great content on this vid VG. Love it a lot. It’s amping me up because Gary is going to be in my city in a couple weeks.

Hi Vaughan Not sure how I missed this video,- i usually watch all of your Numan vids as soon as you upload them. Another good analysis of an important album in Gary's career. Loved this album when it was first released ( found Machine and Soul and Outland really difficult to listen to....they just weren't very Numan-y). This sounded like he was on his way back. It's not a particularly polished album and sounds very much like a bunch of demos (which it essentially is) but I actually think that adds to it's character and charm. It is definitely in my top 10 Numan albums ( and Magic is one of my all time favourite Numan songs ) As an aside, the Manchester gig of the Sacrifice Tour was when my wife first suspected she might be pregnant with our first son. During Down In The Park the low end / bass synth drone sound was cranked right up in the PA - you could feel the air pressure hitting the crowd and my wife instinctively felt the need to "protect" her lower belly area. She did the test a day or two later and it was positive (she has always suspected that her protective reaction was instinctive). Maybe that's another reason that I hold this album in such high regard.

Love the intro! Sacrifice is the last great Numan album in my opinion. A lot of it sounds like a back to basics approach for Numan. He relies more on his voice and simply melodies in these tracks. One of my favorites 'Magic', really demonstrates the power of his voice in vocal leading and singing in key. It was this simple stuff he was very effective at doing. There is not a bad song on this album. Even the filler type tracks like 'Bleed' and 'Desire' are great. Not sure what to say about re-releasing and re-recording it along with Pure and Exile. I didn't care for those albums. Exile sounds like Sacrifice but with a heavier sound and more distorted guitars. I greatly prefer Gary when he's doing his own thing and what he's great at, rather than imitating NIN. Pure had a few tracks I liked and is at least better than that god awful album Jagged he made after it. Outside of a few songs on Dead Son Rising, I have not cared for Gary's NIN sounding stuff at all. Sacrifice at least still sounded like his 80s work and that old sound.

What a treat this video is - I missed it on release. Sacrifice is one of my very favourite Numan albums, and the one that really got me into his music back in 1995. Since then, I have been fascinated by the writing and the sound of that album, despite the lack of production (I've been pondering over that drum sample for years, so thanks for that!). Years later, I finally got my hands on the M1 (which I love) and use it shamelessly in my own music... having heard it on Gary's albums, Tangerine Dream, Vangelis and even Bryan Ferry's music, it is simply a JOY to play with those iconic sounds yourself... even though it feels like I shouldn't be allowed to touch them!! But back OT, this was such a blast to watch and I can't wait to hear what Gary and Ade do with the new version of the album (and Exile, which is probably my very favourite Numan album, surprisingly)... it deserves to reach its full potential. This is one of those albums that inspired me to make music - I loved the idea of Gary going back to basics and doing it all himself, even though it had taken an all-time career low to get to this point. It's high time he played more of these songs on tour... I remember A Question of Faith and Seed of a Lie at Shepherds Bush Empire in 1998 sounded fantastic!

VG is back and in total Numanoid form ! I for one am looking forward to the re-release of Sacrifice. That one is a hard to find album for American fans. Exile was released stateside on the goth-industrial label Cleopatra Records in 1997 and followed by his first American tour in 15 years. I was able to catch that tour at Charlotte North Carolina's now -defunct Baha Club . What a show it was. I wasn't able to see him again until just last Wednesday. Terrific show and he hasn't lost his showmanship with age. Perhaps ... in a future video ... you can go over exactly what a remaster of a classic album entails? At least I'm interested.

Great breakdown Vaughn. However I think Kipper only played on Scar (original release track listing) and Gary played guitar on Love and Napalm. Can't wait to hear the new mix/rerecord of this

I remember well the years from the Fury through to Machine & Soul when even I - a fan since his first appearance on TOTP with OFE - questioned whether I should still bother going to his gigs. He's come a long way since then and he should be proud of himself.

10:35 That can be the same piano sound as the one used on Erasures "Piano Song" from the Wild-album. Im pretty sure that Vince used an M1 on that song.

Fantastic review…been a fan since 88/89..first album I bought was skin mechanic quickly followed by pleasure principle and telekon👍👍

Really enjoyed breakdown of the album, Scar borrows very heavily from Walking in my shoes from DM , the “I’m not looking for your opinion…” 1. Walk in my soul 2. Pray 3. Magic 4. Magic 5. 7.5

A great album for sure . And the M1 is a great synth , I got one of the first when it was released way back then , wish i still had it .

VG is right about GN very often singing the melody line played by the instruments. But just now I was listening on shuffle and one of the exceptions came on ... "We Take Mystery" from the I, Assassin album. Great song from a criminally under-appreciated album. Am I alone in loving 'War Songs' too?

Blowout lol. In the US we call it a crack. Your voice “cracked”. Gary’s voice is so expressive even his cracks sound good.

Nice review, brought back lots of memories of a transitional point in my life

i LOVE the drum loops he uses on this album. gives it an almost jungle drive to the gothic minor chords.

Yes VG Great Album Sacrifice along with Exile those Albums are two of my favourites, Great review as always & hopefully you will do the same with Exile which I personally think deserves a review........ as for the Questions ( Seed Of A lie & 8/10 from me........

Thanks for a very great video, I missed this album, Pure was my first "new" album. History is full of presets that people know, like one of the metal sounds Jean Michel Jarre have on a song that is a Roland D-50 preset. Name a band that have a snare sound they are happy with?!

sacrifice and exile with the intruder sound would have been amazing

Fantastic review, VG. Like you, I've loved this album since it's release and the amazing small-scale tour that supported it. Definitely the beginning of part 2 of Gary's career. As for your 5 questions: 1) The song I would lose is Magic 2) Most radical/quirky track in my opinion is Bleed 3) Most listened to is The Seed of a Lie 4) Current most listened to is The Seed of a Lie 5) I rate the album 8/10 - or would if the sound quality was better, which I hope the re-recorded release will deliver. Without that, I'd rate it 6/10 as I don't enjoy the muddy sound of the original. It's the songs, their melodies and lyrics that I like and my own question 6 ... 6) what song should have been on the album but was left off? - Whisper of Truth. Quite long and does not have an immediate impact but it's a grower for sure. Thanks again for the great review and your support of GN. Bring on the re-releases!

exile is his all time best album by far

Leave Pure alone. That album was a masterpiece. It’s his best album since his comeback IMHO….

Idk if someone type it but the sample used in Sacrifice came from Vangelis: Dance Of The Sensualities, from Bittermoon movie score

Will be good to hear what Gary and Ade do with 'The Unholy Trinity' (Sacrifice, Exile, and Pure). I've spoken to Gary in the past, about the need to redo Sacrifice particularly, as he well admits himself to the budget restraints and DIY aspect of the original production with the muddy EQ and incessant drum loops which makes it sound very 'demo-ish' as you say. :-)

Vaughn, in answer to your five questions; 1. Like you, I would lose "Bleed" if I have to. I find the chorus slow and boring. 2. Most radical for me is "Deadliner". Is this the first time in years he delivered the vocal as spoken word? I think so. 3. Most listened to song is a toss up between "Desire" and "Scar". Don't know if it's because they have the same programmed drum loop---they are very different songs lyrically and melody wise. Love the piano sound and TJ's backing vocal on the latter. 4. Most listened to track(s) now. They are still "Desire" and "Scar"! After that, "You Walk in My Soul" because I associate the sentiments with my wife, whom I married in 1993. 5. I would rate it 9 out of 10 (one point lost because the chorus to "Bleed" is boring). I suspect when the remake comes out, I might knock it up to 9 and a 1/2, or even 10 !

Any ideas when the re recordings will be released?

I have not heard the full album, but I might not be wrong that 1 or more of the songs is on the 2 remix albums (Hybrid)?

The same loop used throughout the album was also used in the film Bitter Moon and was not changed in any way from the original sample cd. Still don’t know what it was called though🙄

1. Question of faith 2. Magic 3. Bleed 4. Seed of a Lie 5. 7.5

As for the 5 questions; 1. You walk in my soul is the track I would loose(Whilst this is very much a love song and about Gemma it's not very much Gary Numan so find it too wishy-washy) 2. Pray is almost Numan telling a story with a narrative so that's the most 'off the wall' track on the album 3. Scar and Bleed i'ver listened to the most (although not in probably the last 6 or 7 years now I think about it) because they have more of an underlying quality of previous Gary Numan in that he creates a great chorus hook and is very much melodic and takes you places. 4. I actually don't listen to Sacrifice whatsoever these days I just hate the overall sonic sound of the album, great written songs and melodies just not executed very well. I last listened to the album around 2009 or 2010. There again the fact it's actually not available anywhere (like a lot of his back catalogue) it's hard to have a casual listen without been near a CD player 5. Overall I thought he wrote some good songs for this album, but the overall package, sound and production of the album let it down considerable so 5/10 i;'m sure the re-recorded version would score higher when it finally arrives.

Incorrect, it was his 1998 Exile album that kick-started his new sound & image.

Try finding sacrifice gold dust but omg what an album😊

Love and Napalm. He borrowed that from JG Ballard.

The 3 albums are being re-released so he keeps the rights. The rhythm tracks/loops come off a free magazine CD. The production is awful on Sacrifice.. Gary blamed fans CD players not being good. Excellent album though.

I wouldn't describe him as androgenous. Perhaps you meant android-esque.

1- Like you, it would have to be Bleed. Cant really feel this track. 2. Pray 3. Would be Scar 4.Mmmm maybe Desire 5. 8 out of 10

Drop: Bleed. Doesn't contribute much to the album. Radical: Scar. a song this bombastic and intense should have been a single! it also has a great mission statement from Gary. Most Listened to: always been Scar and Desire! 9/10 because i LOVE the weird production choices. this album was super influential to dark wave acts for its thin drums and thick atmosphere. Information Society cited this album specifically when they went darkwave.

Try getting a copy! You have to sell your kidney to get one now.

Great Vid, Sacrifice is still one of my favourites, that and Ultravox's Vienna album are going on my desert island list.

"You mean sacred"

You mean ended his career. I was a lifelong fan of Gary until he decided to become Nine Inch Numan. I saw him in ‘98 for the first time and man was I shocked at how much his band sucked! It’s like he found some homeless musicians that would play for food. As far as I’m concerned, Gary’s career was from 1978-1995. I still love the old stuff but I have no respect for Gary anymore. He lost his creative flair and just just rehashes the same music over and over now. I’m also sick and tired of all the anti-God lyrics.

1. Drop: Magic 2. Radical: Deadliner 3. Most listened to: Seed of a Lie 4. Most listened to now: Seed of a Lie Like you, I'd rate this 7/10 for the songs. For the sonics probably 5/10, but luckily the songs shine through the production.

I have just discovered your channel and really loving it, so thanks, but may I ask if you have done a video on Billy Currie of Gary Numan "Touring Principle" Ultravox and Visage and his infamous ARP Odyssey?