Review Summary: Although Sanctuary only recorded two albums, this one is the better of the two in my humble opinion. In terms of production, riffs, vocals, and overall song structure. If you like more progressive thrash metal defiantly pick this one up.
In case you do not know Sanctuary was discovered, signed, produced, and taken out on tour by Megadeth's creator/leader Dave Mustaine. He gave the band what little notoriety they had. This is their second album and to me of the two this one is better then their debut Refuge Denied. After they toured on this record, they broke up and the singer (Warrell Dane) and bass player went to start up Nevermore. One of the reasons why I love this album is because they are able to make it thrash and make you head bang while also showing that they are also somewhat of a progressive band, which do not be alarmed the songs still kick *** and have a lot of an edge to them.
Track 1. Future Tense- Possibly their most famous song and the only song they ever recorded a video for. Some great vocals on this song very remincent to that of Geoff Tate of Queensryche. Some of the lyrics are a bit cheesy because the song is about the end of the 80's and the dawn of the 90's and what will happen in the next decade. Some decent riffiage but nothing to really write home about.
3.5/5
Track 2. Taste Revenge- The best song Sanctuary ever wrote, in the short summed up version this song is about someone killing someone you know, and then you going and getting revenge on that person, a painful revenge at that. Very thrashy song with some descriptive lyrics. This song is one of the reasons why I like Warrel Dane so much as a singer he can hit the high notes as displayed in the first song, but yet he still has a bit of growl to his voice in this song. Good kick *** edgy riffage, and some good lead playing as well. To sum it up this is the best song on the album and the best song Sanctuary ever wrote in their short run. Very good song to turn up the volume to.
5/5
Track 3. Long Since Dark- A good intro solo and clean riff that really draws you into this song, and then to catch you off guard it turns heavy and keeps you interested throughout. The only thing that bugs me about this song is the somewhat cheesy lyrics, which is the only thing that really turns me off to this band a little bit. Other then that some more good riffage and some killer bass fills keep the listener entertained throughout. Not the best of the album but it does not suck.
3/5
Track 4. Epitaph- The into really reminds me of an early Queensryche song, but it does not last long because it gets back to some heavy riffs. More solid vocals on this one, but the only problem are some of the riffs sound alike to the other songs on this album. Not to be all negative this song does have some very good lead work on it. Overall not amazing but not bad the impressive vocals and lead work keep you interested.
3/5
Track5. Eden Lies Obscured- Possibly my least favorite song on the album. It sounds very remincent to the track before this one. Some more good vocals, but again cheesy lyrics, and some lackluster rhythm riffs but decent lead work. The only reason why I listen to this song is for the lead guitar work.
2/5
Track6. Mirror Black- Cool intro makes you want more and you get it with a good solo and that leads into a very nice and unexpected clean riff with more great vocals. Then of course, that leads into some dirty guitars, but it does not get heavy until about half way through the song, and at that time, you get another good solo. Some simple but good guitar riffs fill this song. With yet more good vocals and some interesting lyrics such as "You make love to blackness" kind of a cool lyric. Pretty good song that is pretty interesting.
3.5/5
Track7. Seasons of Destruction- My second favorite song on the album behind Taste Revenge. I love the heavy guitar riffs on this song as well as Warrel Dane's vocal delivery. This song is one of few that does not have great of solos but the rhythm guitar makes up for it in my eyes. Yet again, this song has Warrel Dane hitting the impressive high notes but also has a little bit of a growl to match the songs topic and the rhythm section. Another one of my favorite Sanctuary songs.
5/5
Track8. One More Murder- One of the best on the album. It is a pretty political song about how the crime/drug rate is going up in this country, and shows how dangerous it is on the streets these days. An example of this comes from the chorus which is "One more murder, and one more death makes no difference in the street come tomorrow you could be dead." This song has more heavy riffs that makes you head bang and at the same time think, which is what I love. Great vocals/lyrics and good riffage makes this song one of the best on the album.
4.5/5
Track9. Communion- The last song on the album and a decent way to end the album. Great rhythm guitars and some great vocals and lyrics finish off the album on high note, which is key in every album.
4/5
This album has become one of my favorites because it mixed thrash and progressive and did it well. It has a very Queensryche feel to it but also has that raw edge of thrash.
Pros:
-Great vocalist in Warrel Dane (Nevermore)
-Good guitar tone and great rhythms
-Good lead work
-Some good lyrics
Cons:
-Occasional cheesy lyrics
-Some guitar work sounds like the rest of the album
If you can find it I defiantly say pick it up, but like me I could not find it anywhere so I picked it off of Itunes for a great price of $8.99.
