There are bands that hold a certain mystique because they’ve made a lasting impression in a shortened career. Sanctuary is one of those bands. I heard them in the 80s when the song “Battle Angels” invaded the Chicago airwaves. When I found out their debut album, Refuge Denied, was produced by Dave Mustaine of Megadeth I was sold. I picked up the cassette shortly thereafter and even caught Sanctuary on tour with Warlock and Megadeth at the Aragon Ballroom. I view Sanctuary as a pioneering act because they were one of the first groups to successfully fuse progressive elements and thrash elements with heavy metal. They paved the way for later efforts of groups like Fates Warning, Death Angel and Flotsam and Jetsam. Unfortunately, their career was short lived; the arrival of grunge music caused strife in the Seattle-based outfit, leading to just one more studio release, Into the Mirror Black, and the live album Into the Mirror Live, before disbanding in 1992. Key members Warrel Dane (vocals) and Jim Sheppard (bass) went on to perform in the popular metal act Nevermore. Sanctuary has reformed and has a new album entitled The Year the Sun Died, scheduled for release on [...]
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