When it comes to the new wave of deathcore destruction, few names hit as hard or as smart as Brand of Sacrifice. Born from the bleak brilliance of Kentaro Miura’s Berserk and forged in the fires of cinematic brutality, this Toronto-based wrecking crew has carved their own mythos in modern heavy music.
I caught up with Kyle Anderson, the powerhouse frontman behind the chaos, as Brand of Sacrifice prepare to unleash hell at Froth and Fury Fest in Adelaide and tour Australia with Thy Art Is Murder, Great American Ghost, and Lune. We talked about the band’s rapid rise, their recent signing to Nuclear Blast Records, their next record, and the Berserk-inspired world that started it all.
From Insurance Broker to Deathcore Titan
Before the blast beats and the breakdowns, Kyle was grinding away at a day job.
“It just started with two guys,” he laughs. “Myself and Leo – he was in tech, I was an insurance broker, and we were both miserable. We just wanted to write something heavy and fun between shifts.”
That something became The Interstice EP (2018), a record so raw and otherworldly that it detonated across the underground. “We didn’t expect it to take off,” Kyle admits. “Then suddenly booking agents, labels, managers – everyone started knocking.”
From there, it snowballed. Their debut God Hand and follow-up Lifeblood saw Brand of Sacrifice ascend from cult heroes to international juggernauts, earning a Juno nomination and eight separate Billboard chart placements along the way.
Evolving the Sound — Symphonies of Destruction
Brand of Sacrifice’s sound has always been more than just deathcore. It’s apocalyptic cinema — massive choral soundscapes, cybernetic grooves, and the kind of bone-breaking heaviness that makes even seasoned metalheads flinch.
“It’s music we’d want to hear ourselves,” Kyle says. “We know the symphonic and choir elements work well, so that’s part of our toolkit. But with Lifeblood we added new metal and industrial vibes too. We’re always experimenting, always evolving.”
That evolution continued with 2023’s Between Death and Dreams EP — a release that saw the band transcend genre confines entirely. “It was our most cinematic and emotional yet,” Kyle adds. “We’re always trying to push the envelope.”
The Berserk Connection — Darkness with Depth
For the uninitiated, Brand of Sacrifice takes its name and much of its lyrical inspiration from Berserk, the legendary dark fantasy manga by Kentaro Miura.
“At first, it was just surface-level fascination,” Kyle explains. “As a teenager, I was googling dark and violent stories because I was sick of the happy-go-lucky stuff. Then I found Berserk — it rattled me, but I realized how deep and philosophical it really was beneath all that darkness. It’s brutal but meaningful.”
That marriage of bleakness and brilliance became the band’s creative DNA — a reflection of both suffering and transcendence. “There’s a real emotional weight in that story,” Kyle says. “And that’s what we try to bring to our music.”
Collaboration, Creation, and Community
If you’ve been following the scene, you’ve probably seen Kyle’s name pop up alongside everyone from We Came As Romans to Nick Nocturnal and Harper.
On the Darkbloom reimagining with We Came As Romans, Kyle recalls:
“They wanted to go heavier — not acoustic, not EDM, but full-on. It just made sense. Then we toured with them and got to perform it live together, which was wild.”
His long-time friendship with Nick Nocturnal continues to produce fan-favorite moments. “We’re both from Toronto, and somehow both ended up in Florida,” Kyle laughs. “We’ve done songs, podcasts, covers — it’s always a good time working with Nick.”
A New Era with Nuclear Blast
In late 2023, Brand of Sacrifice officially joined Nuclear Blast Records, marking a huge milestone for the band after their success with Blood Blast Distribution.
“It’s been great so far,” Kyle says. “We dropped our first single, Purge, through them, and now we’re deep into our first full record for Nuclear Blast. The team’s been amazing. They’re just waiting on us to finish — and I literally wrapped a new song right before this interview.”
That upcoming album promises to be another evolution — a ferocious blend of cinematic sound design and bone-shattering intensity. “This next one,” Kyle teases, “is going to be the biggest leap we’ve taken yet.”
Froth, Fury, and the Road Ahead
Brand of Sacrifice are set to return to Australian shores for Froth and Fury Fest, followed by a national tour with Thy Art Is Murder.
“It’ll be high-energy,” Kyle promises. “We’re playing all the fan favorites, and it might be the last time people hear a lot of these songs live before the next record drops.”
Their last run in Australia didn’t come easy, though. “I had some vocal issues because of a medication I was on — first time ever,” Kyle reveals. “But I promised myself I’d come back the same year to give fans the full experience. We’re 150% now.”
When asked how he keeps his voice in shape through such relentless touring, Kyle’s answer is practical:
“Hydration, sleep, and warm-ups. Sounds boring, but it’s the key. I treat it like a profession — you’ve got to show up and bring your A-game every night.”
The Grind and the Glory
Beyond the stage, Kyle and Leo also run Shibori Threads, their custom merch company — one more piece of the Brand of Sacrifice empire.
“You’ve got to have a few eggs in different baskets these days,” Kyle says. “Streaming doesn’t pay much, so touring and merch are where the money’s made. But it’s not just business — it’s another way to express who we are.”
He laughs when I mention the modern reality of bands being expected to also be content creators:
“Yeah, man, you’ve got to wear a lot of hats now. Musician, marketer, influencer. It’s exhausting but kind of fun too.”
The Mark of The Branded Ones
With 60 million streams, 13 million YouTube views, and a growing legion of fans — affectionately dubbed The Branded Ones — Brand of Sacrifice continue to rise as one of deathcore’s most visionary forces.
As Kyle signs off, there’s that quiet confidence that comes from knowing the storm isn’t over — it’s just building.
“This next record,” he says with a grin, “is going to change everything.”
🔥 Catch Brand of Sacrifice
Touring Australia with Thy Art Is Murder, Great American Ghost, and Lune
At Froth and Fury Fest – Adelaide, November 2025
THY ART IS MURDER
GODLIKE AUSTRALIAN TOUR
With Brand of Sacrifice (Canada), Great American Ghost (USA) & Lune
Tickets on sale via thyartismurder.net
Friday 8 November
170 Russell, Melbourne
Buy Tickets
Saturday 9 November
Froth & Fury Festival, Adelaide *
Buy Tickets
Sunday 10 November
Magnet House, Perth
Buy Tickets
Thursday 14 November
The Princess Theatre, Brisbane
Buy Tickets
Friday 15 November
Metro Theatre, Sydney
Buy Tickets
*Lune Not Appearing
