Sanctuary--Refuge Denied (1988)
Rating--9.2
Die For My Sins--RealAudio Ascension to Destiny--RealAudio
What an amazing, overlooked album in the history of metal! Why didn't these guys make it big?? I guess in the late 80's true power metal was on its way out, as far as MTV and the like were concerned. It's a shame, because this is a great ride. Sanctuary's style is something around early Megadeth (the disc was produced by Dave Mustaine), mid-80's Judas Priest, and maybe a little of the 'Spreading'-era Anthrax stuff. In other words, the music rocks! Vocalist Warrel Dane (now of Nevermore) is otherworldly on this album. His range is unbelievable, and some of the notes he hits have only been matched by a few of the greats. The music is complex, but the lyric writing is fairly carefree, ala Manowar, early Megadeth, etc.
Some of the fabulous tunes include "Battle Angels", "Termination Force", "Die For My Sins", "Sanctuary", "Ascension to Destiny", and a heavy, crunching version of Jefferson Airplane's "White Rabbit".
HOT CHOPS--If you like high pitched and/or great range vocalists along the lines of Rob Halford, Geoff Tate, and Tim Owens, you'll love Dane's work. He may have actually hurt himself, though, as this is the last album (with any group) that he really lets loose in this way...
Not to be overlooked is the superb guitar playing by Lenny Rutledge and Sean Blosl. Cool, hot licks and riffs--great thrashy material.
TRACK LIST--Battle Angels/Termination Force/Die For My Sins/Soldiers of Steel/Sanctuary/White Rabbit/Ascension to Destiny/The Third War/Veil of Disguise
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