APOCALYSE / OMEGA blood sacrifice HRR211

NWOBHM Archeology: Apocalypse & Omega’s ‘Blood Sacrifice’ (HRR 211)

Today’s entry opens a deep time capsule from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) era. We are looking at the 2012 compilation album Blood Sacrifice, a split release featuring the bands Apocalypse and Omega, issued by the archival specialists High Roller Records with the catalog number HRR 211.

This release serves as an important historical document, rescuing the recorded works of two obscure underground bands from the 1980s. Side A is dedicated to Apocalypse, compiling tracks from their 1982 demo and their rare 7-inch single. It features melodic, driving tracks like Stormchild and Chosen Few that showcase the classic NWOBHM sound.

Side B features Omega, a band that rose from the ashes of Apocalypse. This side contains their 1985 demo recordings, including the title track Blood Sacrifice and In The Heat Of The Night. It offers a slightly evolved sound, allowing listeners to trace the musical progression between the two related projects.

For collectors, HRR 211 is a premium archival package. This specific entry is the Black Vinyl edition, which was limited to just 350 copies out of a total pressing of 500. The record is housed in a deluxe, heavy 425gsm gatefold sleeve with a thick 5mm spine. It was released with a comprehensive 16-page booklet full of rare photos and information, as well as a poster. The audio was remastered by Patrick W. Engel at Temple Of Disharmony, ensuring these rare tapes sound better than ever.