Sanctuary (band)

Last updated

Sanctuary
Sanctuary - 2017216132721 2017-08-04 Wacken - Sven - 1D X MK II - 0173 - B70I9644 (cropped).jpg
Sanctuary at Wacken Open Air 2017
Background information
Origin Seattle, Washington, U.S.
Genres
Years active1985–1992, 2010–present
Labels
MembersLenny Rutledge
Dave Budbill
George Hernandez
Joseph Michael
Joey Concepcion
Past membersSean Blosl
Brad Hull
Jeff Loomis
Jim Sheppard
Nick Cordle
Warrel Dane
Attila Vörös

Sanctuary is an American heavy metal band, formed in 1985 in Seattle, Washington. They were broken up from 1992 to 2010. The band consists of Lenny Rutledge (guitar), Joseph Michael (vocals), George Hernandez (bass), and Dave Budbill (drums). The lead vocalist position was held by Warrel Dane until his death in 2017. They have released four studio albums and one live EP.

Contents

Despite never reaching mainstream success, Sanctuary is often credited for popularizing the 1980s and early 1990s Seattle hard rock and heavy metal scene, which spawned bands such as Mother Love Bone, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Queensrÿche, Metal Church, Fifth Angel, TKO, Culprit, Rail, Forced Entry and Q5. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

History

Initial career (1985–1992)

Sanctuary was founded by cousins and guitarists Lenny Rutledge and Sean Blosl. [8] The band started with playing covers and original songs until their line-up was complete. After singer Warrel Dane had joined, Sanctuary played only original songs and recorded their first demo, which received prominent airplay for a year on college radion station KCMU. When singer and guitarist Dave Mustaine played a concert with his band Megadeth in Seattle, the band were able to present the demo to Mustaine after the show in his hotel room. Mustaine liked it and promised to produce the band. [8]

Afterwards, Sanctuary played a few support shows for Megadeth and then recorded Refuge Denied with Mustaine as producer. Keith Rawls, Megadeth's then-manager, who would become Sanctuary's manager as well, contacted record companies and finally secured a deal with Epic Records. [8] The label remixed the debut album and released it in 1988. Sanctuary subsequently toured worldwide in support of the album, playing with bands such as Megadeth, Warlock, Savatage, Testament, Nuclear Assault, Flotsam and Jetsam, Vio-lence, Fates Warning, Meliah Rage and Forced Entry. [9]

In 1989, after the Refuge Denied tour ended, Sanctuary entered the studio to record their second studio album, Into the Mirror Black , which was released in 1990. [10] A video clip for the song "Future Tense" was made and received some airplay on MTV's Headbangers Ball . While touring in support of the album (with bands such as Fates Warning, Morbid Angel, Forbidden, Death Angel, Forced Entry and Blitzspeer), [9] [11] guitarist Sean Blosl left the band and was replaced by Jeff Loomis.

Shortly after, pressure from Epic Records to fit in with the flourishing Seattle grunge scene caused disagreements between band members regarding the band's musical direction. In 1992, Sanctuary officially disbanded.

Epic Records was to release a full-length live recording from this final tour, but only a limited number of copies of a promotional live EP ever saw the light of day. It was named Into the Mirror Live .

Refuge Denied and Into the Mirror Black were re-released as a double CD set by IronBird Records on February 22, 2010.

Post-breakup (1992–2010)

After disbanding, Warrel Dane, Jim Sheppard and Jeff Loomis formed the band Nevermore in 1992. Lenny Rutledge became a musical producer, and has his own studio. Additionally, he helped Nevermore on the demo sessions of their 1998 album, Dreaming Neon Black . Nevermore eventually went on hiatus in April 2011 after 19 years and 7 studio albums. [12]

Reunion and The Year the Sun Died (2010–2015)

Jim Sheppard of Sanctuary at the concert ship Barge to Hell 2012 Jim Sheppard, Sanctuary, Barge to Hell 2012.jpg
Jim Sheppard of Sanctuary at the concert ship Barge to Hell 2012

In 2010, four of the founding Sanctuary members — Warrel Dane, Jim Sheppard, Lenny Rutledge and Dave Budbill — came together for a few select reunion performances. At first, it was just going to be a handful of shows, but the response and chemistry on stage was so overwhelming that they decided to reunite permanently. The band's first shows after included Jeff Loomis as a second guitarist, though he departed simultaneously to his departure from Nevermore. Former Forced Entry guitarist Brad Hull, who had earlier touring experience with the band, became a permanent member shortly after.

A US appearance in 2011 took take place at ProgPower USA in Atlanta on Friday, September 16, 2011. The band also played on the 70000 Tons of Metal festival on board Royal Caribbeans' Majesty of the Seas in January 2011 on the same date as Nevermore. In January 2013 Sanctuary got a deal with Century Media. [13]

Regarding how the reunion came about, Dane told Rock My Monkey TV, "[Sanctuary guitarist Lenny Rutledge and I] always talked to each other, but never really been friends again. And when the whole thing came about, that we were actually friends again, that's when we started talking more about doing it. And it definitely wasn't because Nevermore was imploding ... which it was, at that point ... We all just started talking with each other again. That was kind of the groundwork for it. And then we started saying, 'Well, gosh, let's make music again.' And my god! Lenny is writing some stuff that is so friggin great! Obviously, he's been bottling this up for years, because he really hasn't been doing anything ... Well, he's had bands here and there. But he's really writing some great stuff that's really inspiring me, and making me fall in love with music again, with the creative process ... everything that revolves around that. Really inspiring me to write really evil lyrics."

On the topic of the sound of the comeback album, Dane said, "This record is not going to sound like the other two. It might sound very similar to the second one ('Into The Mirror Black'). It's definitely not going to sound like the first one, because we're all a little bit older and I can't come up with a c-clamp for a scrotum and a helium tank ... It's not going to sound like the old ones ... it's 2011. It's still gonna be that good, I think, and there's gonna be high-pitched screaming. I'm making sure of that. With Nevermore, high-pitched screaming was never really called for. You know, with Sanctuary ... of course it is." [14]

The band's third studio album, The Year the Sun Died , was finished in June 2014 [15] and released on October 14 in North America and October 6 in Europe via Century Media. It was produced by Zeuss. The track listing was revealed in August 2014, artwork and the song "Arise and Purify" made available. [16] A lyric video for "Exitium (Anthem of the Living)" was released shortly thereafter, with the video for single "Frozen" debuting on October 7. Ultimately, three songs on the album did feature Dane's trademark high-pitched vocals, though the majority of the singing was more in line with the baritone and bass vocals that were featured prominently in Nevermore.

In February 2015, Brad Hull's departure was announced, with guitarist Nick Cordle, formerly of Arsis and Arch Enemy, filling in for March and April tour dates. His future status with the band is currently unclear. [17] Warrel Dane said the split with Brad Hull was due to "personal things that happened", that are better not to discuss in public, but said they are still friends. Zeuss [a.k.a. Chris Harris], their producer for "The Year the Sun Died", recruited Nick Cordle for the band when they found out Brad Hull would not be doing the European tour, since canceling the tour was not an option. [18]

Dead Again and Inception (2015–2017)

Sanctuary at Rock Hard Festival 2015 Sanctuary @ Rock Hard Festival 2015 04.jpg
Sanctuary at Rock Hard Festival 2015

Asked in October 2015 if Sanctuary had been writing new material for a fourth album, frontman Warrel Dane replied, [19]

Lenny's gotta get off his butt and write some tunes for me, so I've got something to do in my bedroom when I'm alone with my computer and a microphone. He's got a bunch of riffs and some rough songs written. They're really, really good. It's the beginning stages of that. There was one song that got left off The Year The Sun Died. I don't remember why we didn't record it, but it just didn't get finished. It's kind of ... It's really fast and really brutal. I'm pretty sure it's gonna make it on the next one. He's got a lot of really good shit written. So it's just a matter of putting it all together and having me work out all the vocal melodies and the lyrics and everything. It takes a little bit of time.

Pictures posted on the band's Facebook page on April 22, 2016, included a reference to ex-Panic bassist George Hernandez, who had filled in for Sheppard on tour the previous year, as the band's new permanent bassist.

In another interview by September 2016 Dane revealed Dead Again as a tentative title for the new album. He said that it would come "next year, but late next year". Dane described the material as "way faster and more like old-school thrash metal, but sounding a bit modern and it's f ... cking heavy." He also announced the compilation of old demos and songs named Inception , that could arrive "in a few months". [20]

Death of Warrel Dane and the future of the band (2017–present)

On December 13, 2017, it was reported that Dane had died of a heart attack in São Paulo, Brazil, where he was recording his second solo album. [21]

The band toured North America with Iced Earth in February and March 2018 for the tribute to Dane tour with Witherfall vocalist Joseph Michael filling in on vocals. [22] Current Armageddon guitarist Joey Concepcion of Milford, Connecticut has joined the tour on guitar. [23] The tour was well-received, prompting Rutledge and Michael to begin working on demos to potentially continue the band. [24]

Members

Current members

Former members

Touring

Timeline

Sanctuary (band)

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details, peak chart positions and sales
TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsSales
US
[25] 		AUT
[26] 		BEL (FL)
[27] 		BEL (WA)
[28] 		GER
[29] 		NLD
[30] 		SWI
[31]
Refuge Denied
  • Released: 1988
  • Label: Epic
  • Formats: CD, LP, CS
———————
Into the Mirror Black
  • Released: February 27, 1990
  • Label: Epic
  • Formats: CD, LP, CS
—97—————
The Year the Sun Died
  • Released: October 6, 2014
  • Label: Century Media
  • Formats: CD, CD+LP, digital download [32]
12575143183398369

Live albums

List of live albums, with selected details
TitleAlbum details
Into the Mirror Live
  • Released: July 1990
  • Label: Epic
  • Formats: CD

Compilations

List of compilations, with selected details and peak chart positions
TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
BEL (WA)
[28] 		GER
[29]
Inception [34]
  • Released: February 24, 2017
  • Label: Century Media
  • Formats: CD, CD+LP
12453

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Megadeth</span> American thrash metal band

Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by vocalist/guitarist Dave Mustaine. Known for their technically complex guitar work and musicianship, Megadeth is one of the "big four" of American thrash metal along with Metallica, Anthrax, and Slayer, responsible for the genre's development and popularization. Their music features complex arrangements and fast rhythm sections, dual lead guitars, and lyrical themes of war, politics, religion, death, and personal relationships.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Mustaine</span> American musician (born 1961)

David Scott Mustaine is an American musician. He is the co-founder, frontman, primary songwriter and sole consistent member of the thrash metal band Megadeth. Mustaine has released sixteen studio albums with Megadeth, sold over 38 million records worldwide, with six albums platinum-certified, and won a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance in 2017 at the 59th Grammy Awards, for the title track of their fifteenth studio album, Dystopia.

<i>The System Has Failed</i> 2004 studio album by Megadeth

The System Has Failed is the tenth studio album by American thrash metal band Megadeth, released on September 14, 2004. It was the band's second and final studio album to be distributed by Sanctuary Records. The System Has Failed was the first album to be released after Dave Mustaine recovered from his arm injury sustained in 2002. It is also the first of four Megadeth studio albums not to include original bassist and co-founder David Ellefson. The album features former Megadeth member Chris Poland (guitar), who previously performed on Killing Is My Business... and Business Is Good! (1985) and Peace Sells... but Who's Buying? (1986), as well as session drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and bassist Jimmie Lee Sloas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warrel Dane</span> American singer (1961–2017)

Warrel Dane was an American musician who was the lead singer for the heavy metal bands Sanctuary and Nevermore. He was a natural baritone; though he was known for his high-pitched vocals with Serpent's Knight and on the first two Sanctuary albums, later in his career, Dane became more notable for his distinctively deep, dramatic voice.

<i>Dead Heart in a Dead World</i> 2000 studio album by Nevermore

Dead Heart in a Dead World is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Nevermore, released in October 2000. In a style comparable to a darker, heavier Queensrÿche, its songs range topics such as criticism of drug possession penalties to rejection of religion. The album also features a cover of Simon & Garfunkel's hit, "The Sound of Silence". It is also notable for being Nevermore's first record utilizing seven-string guitars.

<i>Refuge Denied</i> 1988 studio album by Sanctuary

Refuge Denied is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Sanctuary, released in 1988 by Epic Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeff Loomis</span> American guitarist (born 1971)

Jeff Loomis is an American musician, best known for his role as lead guitarist in the progressive metal band Nevermore during its existence from 1991 to 2011, as well as brief tenures in its precursor, Sanctuary. In 2014, he joined Swedish melodic death metal band Arch Enemy, and in 2021 he joined Graham Bonnet's Alcatrazz as well. He left Arch Enemy in 2023. As a solo artist he has released two albums and one EP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Broderick</span> American guitarist

Christopher Alan Broderick is an American musician, best known as a former guitarist of the heavy metal band Megadeth. He is also formerly the lead guitarist and keyboardist for Jag Panzer, appearing on four of the band's albums, The Age of Mastery, Thane to the Throne, Mechanized Warfare and Casting the Stones. Prior to joining Megadeth and while still in Jag Panzer, he served as a touring guitarist for Nevermore from 2001 to 2003, and again between 2006 and 2007. Following his departure from Megadeth, Broderick formed Act of Defiance in 2014. He joined Swedish metal band In Flames in 2019 as a touring guitarist, before becoming the band's permanent rhythm guitarist in 2022.

<i>Dreaming Neon Black</i> 1999 studio album by Nevermore

Dreaming Neon Black is the third studio album released by American heavy metal band Nevermore, and was released through Century Media in 1999. Unlike its predecessor, The Politics of Ecstasy, Dreaming Neon Black contains many slower, emotional songs.

<i>In Memory</i> 1996 EP by Nevermore

In Memory is an EP by American heavy metal band Nevermore. It was recorded in April and May 1996 and released on July 23, 1996. It features a Bauhaus medley. It was re-issued in 2006 with 5 bonus tracks, which are all demos of songs from the next full-length album, The Politics of Ecstasy.

<i>Nevermore</i> (album) 1995 studio album by Nevermore

Nevermore is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Nevermore, released on February 14, 1995, by Century Media Records. It was singer Warrel Dane and bassist Jim Sheppard's first release after disbanding their previous band, Sanctuary, in 1992. Having recruited drummer Van Williams and former Sanctuary touring guitarist Jeff Loomis, they formed the band Nevermore and began anew.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Sheppard</span> American musician (born 1963)

James Patrick Sheppard is an American musician. He was the bassist and founding member of the progressive metal band, Nevermore, and its predecessor, Sanctuary. He and singer Warrel Dane are certified chefs, and formerly owned an Italian restaurant in Seattle. In 2020 James married Brazilian Priscila Sheppard.

<i>Into the Mirror Black</i> 1990 studio album by Sanctuary

Into the Mirror Black is the second studio album by the band Sanctuary, released on February 27, 1990. It was their last album before their 18-year breakup from 1992 to 2010.

<i>Into the Mirror Live</i> 1990 live album by Sanctuary

Into The Mirror Live / Black Reflections is a live promotional EP of the band Sanctuary recorded on May 12, 1990 at The Country Club in Reseda, California, during their Into the Mirror Black tour. Approximately 1000 CD copies of this were made and less than 500 were ever distributed to radio stations and record stores. Because of contractual problems with Epic Records, the full version was never released for public consumption. Epic Records destroyed 500+ copies of this CD. Warrel Dane stated on several occasions that he owned the master tapes and copyrights of the full show, intending to have it finally released. Although the full show never emerged during Dane's lifetime, in 2020 it was finally announced that the show would be included, with a new mix, as a second CD on the 30th anniversary reissue of Into the Mirror Black. The original CD has been heavily pirated over the years as a 2-on-1 CD with the Satan's Host "Metal From Hell" album on the notorious Reborn Classics record label.

Timothy K. Calvert was an American metal guitarist. He was known for his dark, moody style of songwriting created through his frequent usage of dissonant passages and diminished chords. He was associated with the bands Forbidden and Nevermore.

<i>The Obsidian Conspiracy</i> 2010 studio album by Nevermore

The Obsidian Conspiracy is the seventh and final studio album by American heavy metal band Nevermore. It was released on June 8, 2010, in North America by Century Media and at the end of May in Europe. The band's previous album, This Godless Endeavor, was released in 2005, making the five-year gap the longest between two consecutive Nevermore albums.

<i>Dystopia</i> (Megadeth album) 2016 studio album by Megadeth

Dystopia is the fifteenth studio album by American thrash metal band Megadeth. It was released on frontman and guitarist Dave Mustaine's Tradecraft label via Universal on January 22, 2016. It is the first Megadeth album to feature guitarist Kiko Loureiro, the only album with drummer Chris Adler, and their last with bassist David Ellefson. The album was produced by Mustaine and Chris Rakestraw and features cover artwork by Brent Elliot White.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nevermore</span> American heavy metal band

Nevermore was an American heavy metal band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1991. The band has been inactive since 2011, due to personal issues between the band members. Vocalist Warrel Dane died in December 2017, ending hopes of a reunion.

<i>The Year the Sun Died</i> 2014 studio album by Sanctuary

The Year the Sun Died is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Sanctuary, released on October 6, 2014, in Europe, and eight days later in North America. It is Sanctuary's first studio album in 24 years, since 1990's Into the Mirror Black, and their only release with former Forced Entry guitarist Brad Hull, making it the band's first studio album without guitarist Sean Blosl, as well as their final release with bassist Jim Sheppard. The Year the Sun Died is also the first Sanctuary album released on Century Media Records, making it their first album not to be released on Epic Records, and the final one with original material to feature vocalist Warrel Dane before his death in December 2017.

<i>Inception</i> (Sanctuary album) 2017 compilation album by Sanctuary

Inception is a compilation album by American heavy metal band Sanctuary, released on February 24, 2017, through Century Media Records. A prequel to the band's 1988 debut studio album Refuge Denied, the album contains remixed and remastered lost studio recordings from 1986. This is Sanctuary's final release with vocalist Warrel Dane, who died of a heart attack on December 13, 2017.

References

  1. ↑ "Sanctuary – Biography & History – AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  2. ↑ Carbon, Kaptain (June 3, 2014). "SANCTUARY- Refuge Denied (1987)". Hollywood Metal. Archived from the original on May 1, 2017. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
  3. ↑ "The Seattle Metal Scene". KNAC.com. March 7, 2002. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Culprit – Biography & History". allmusic.com . Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  5. ↑ "Unofficial SG Homepage: Articles: Faces, December 1989". web.stargate.net. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  6. ↑ ""Louder Than Heck: The Northwest Now," Discoveries Magazine (1990)". nw-music-archives.blogspot.com. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Fifth Angel Return With First Album In 30 Years". KNAC.COM. August 23, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 Rutledge, Lenny (October 30, 2010). "It's Not Heaven Nor Hell – It's Sanctuary". Demolish Magazine (Interview). Interviewed by Curt King. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
  9. 1 2 "Sanctuary Tour Dates". metallipromo.com. Retrieved July 7, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Sanctuary (4) – Into The Mirror Black". Discogs. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Tour History". Fateswarning.com. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  12. ↑ "Nevermore Singer: I Found Out Via Blabbermouth.net That Guitarist And Drummer Quit Band". Blabbermouth.net. August 20, 2011. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Sanctuary 'A Few Days' Away From Officially Signing With Century Media Records". Blabbermouth.net. January 8, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  14. ↑ "Reunited Sanctuary Signs With Century Media Records". Blabbermouth.net. May 22, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Sanctuary Completes Work On 'The Year The Sun Died'". Blabbermouth.net. June 11, 2014. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  16. ↑ "Sanctuary: New Song 'Arise And Purify' Available For Streaming". August 24, 2014. Archived from the original on August 24, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Sanctuary Recruits Former Arch Enemy And Arsis Guitarist Nick Cordle". Blabbermouth.net. February 25, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  18. ↑ "Warrel Dane: 'Nevermore Is Not Dead'". Blabbermouth.net. April 12, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Warrel Dane Talks Next Sanctuary Album, Performing Nevermore's 'Dead Heart' And Second Solo LP". Blabbermouth.net. October 14, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Warrel Dane Talks Next Sanctuary Album And The Possibility Of Replacing Jeff Loomis With Chris Broderick In Nevermore". Blabbermouth.net. September 18, 2016. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Nevermore and Sanctuary Singer Warrel Dane Dies Of Heart Attack In Brazil". Blabbermouth.net . December 13, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  22. ↑ "SANCTUARY Announce Farewell Tour With WITHERFALL's Joseph Michael on Vocals". Sonic Perspectives. January 12, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  23. ↑ "Sanctuary Taps Guitarist Joey Concepcion for Iced Earth Tour". blabbermouth.net. February 22, 2018.
  24. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : "Sanctuary's Lenny & Joseph on Warrell Dane Tribute Tour, Possible New Frontman & Next Album (2018)" – via www.youtube.com.
  25. ↑ "Top 200 Albums". Billboard.com. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  26. ↑ "Das österreichische Hitparaden- und Musik-Portal". Austriancharts.at. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  27. ↑ "ultratop.be – Ultratop Belgian Charts". Ultratop.be. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  28. 1 2 "ultratop.be – Ultratop Belgian Charts". Ultratop.be. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  29. 1 2 "Discographie von Sanctuary". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  30. ↑ "Dutch Charts – dutchcharts.nl". Dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  31. ↑ "Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade und Music Community". Hitparade.ch. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  32. ↑ "The Year the Sun Died by Sanctuary" – via music.apple.com.
  33. ↑ "Metal By Numbers 10/23: Charts are pretty witchin'Metal Insider". Metalinsider.net. October 23, 2014. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  34. ↑ "Sanctuary". Facebook.com. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.