Origin: Seattle, Washington, USA  
Genres: Traditional Metal
Last update/review: March 8, 2017

Sanctuary

Though best known as the precursor to Nevermore, Sanctuary had a nice run in the late eighties, albeit a short one. They gained notoriety by having Dave Mustaine produce their debut album (apparently the band met Dave backstage and simply handed them a demo, and Dave decided to produce their album) and the band's intricate, classy power metal, highlighted by Warrel Dane's outstanding vocals, was a breath of fresh air in the metal field. The inevitable personal differences between some members led to their breakup after two albums, prompting Dane and bassist Jim Sheppard to move on to the greener pastures of Nevermore, where they prospered for several years.

Dane and Sheppard reuinited with several of the old Sanctuary guys in 2010 and soon commenced work on a new album, The Year The Sun Died, which was released in late 2014. They were still active up until Dane's unfortunate passing in late 2017, which likely signals the end of the band.

Current Members

Warrel Dane

vocals (ex-Nevermore) RIP: December 13, 2017, heart attack, age 56

Lenny Rutledge

guitars

Attila Vörös

guitars (ex-Tyr)

Jim Sheppard

bass (ex-Nevermore)

Dave Budbill

drums

Former Members/Guests

Sean Blosl

guitars

Brad Hull

guitars (ex-Forced Entry)


Discography


Refuge Denied  
1987 CBS
  1. Battle Angels
  2. Termination Force
  3. Die For My Sins
  4. Soldiers of Steel
  5. Sanctuary
  6. White Rabbit
  7. Ascension to Destiny
  8. The Third War
  9. Veil of Disguise
  • Warrel Dane
  • Lenny Rutledge
  • Sean Blosl
  • Jim Sheppard
  • Dave Budbill


Into The Mirror Black  
1990 CBS
  1. Future Tense
  2. Taste Revenge
  3. Long Since Dark
  4. Epitaph
  5. Eden Lies Obscured
  6. The Mirror Black
  7. Seasons of Destruction
  8. One More Murder
  9. Communion
  • Warrel Dane
  • Lenny Rutledge
  • Sean Blosl
  • Jim Sheppard
  • Dave Budbill
1990 Readers' Album #13

1990 BNR Top Ten Album



Refuge Denied / Into The Mirror Black  COMPILATION
2010 IronBird
  1. Battle Angels
  2. Termination Force
  3. Die For my Sins
  4. Soldiers of Steel
  5. Sanctuary
  6. White Rabbit (Jefferson Airplane cover)
  7. Ascension to Destiny
  8. The Third War
  9. Veil of Disguise
  10. Future Tense
  11. Taste Revenge
  12. Long Since Dark
  13. Epitaph
  14. Eden Lies Obscured
  15. The Mirror Black
  16. Seasons of Destruction
  17. One More Murder
  18. Communion


The Year The Sun Died  
2014 Century Media
  1. Arise and Purify
  2. Let the Serpent Follow Me
  3. Exitium (Anthem of the Living)
  4. Question Existence Fading
  5. I Am Low
  6. Frozen
  7. One Final Day (Sworn to Believe)
  8. The World Is Wired
  9. The Dying Age
  10. Ad Vitam Aeternam
  11. The Year the Sun Died
  • Warrel Dane
  • Lenny Rutledge
  • Brad Hull
  • Jim Sheppard
  • Dave Budbill
2014 Readers' Album #8

2014 BNR Top Ten Album



Inception  COMPILATION
2017 Century Media
  1. Dream Of The Incubus
  2. Die For My Sins
  3. Soldiers Of Steel
  4. Death Rider / Third War
  5. White Rabbit (Jefferson Airplane cover)
  6. Ascension To Destiny
  7. Battle Angels
  8. I Am Insane
  9. Veil Of Disguise
Remixed/remastered 1986 studio recordings



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