Riff-driven punk-based music that nonetheless focuses on instrumentals more than vocals, The Sacrifice might remind us of The Process of Weeding Out from Black Flag or later Carbonized releases, albeit more harmonically-pleasing and perhaps organized than either.

Songs form loops from a verse and chorus, then add layers and break up the melody with guitar interludes that are equal parts country, progressive rock, and metal, although understated. Resembling a soundtrack more than a rock album, this work from Haystack features belted vocals that serve as a rhythmic guitar to the evolving guitar lines.

While clearly the aesthetics of this work come from later punk as bands attempted to interweave more musical complexity into their rage, this band shows us more of an intent toward creating a musical product which transcends no genre but rather, by having a more powerful voice, exists independently of them.