SANCTUARY: THE SLAUGHTER IS ON! AGAIN!
We might’ve suspected that Nevermore’s Warrel Dane had been experiencing wistful fondness for his former band, Sanctuary. The hint came back in December, when Dane devoted a healthy chunk of a solo set in Seattle to revisiting the shriek-metal quintet’s catalogue; I crinkled an eyebrow and wondered why Dane would distract from his then-recent solo record and Nevermore’s forthcoming album The Obsidian Conspiracy with talk of the under-loved, little-missed Sanctuary. Weird timing, right?
Seven months later, it’s the eve of The Obsidian Conspiracy‘s release and Dane unloads an even more distracting announcement: After 20 years, Sanctuary is back together! And recording an album!! Holy fuckballs!!!
Dane via Blabbermouth:
I’ve been talking with Lenny [Rutledge, former Sanctuary guitarist]. We are really good friends again and it feels good. I missed my relationship with him for many years. Nevermore is never going away, so don’t start any more rumors!
From a distance, Sanctuary seemed a bit comical (not haha silly — Mercyful Fate silly), but in close-up, their total lack of restraint belied a skill for singular, memorable metal. Their records also introduced metal fans to esteemed producers Dave Mustaine (great solo on “White Rabbit”) and future emo-punk hatchet man Howard Benson (Hoobastank, My Chemical Romance). But we won’t hold that against them.
-ADF
