Sanctuary

The Profile

Sanctuary is an American heavy metal band formed in Seattle in 1985. Their debut Refuge Denied (1987) was produced by Dave Mustaine. They released Into The Mirror Black (1990). Members including Warrel Dane and Jim Sheppard later formed Nevermore. The band reunited in the 2010s and released The Year the Sun Died (2014). Vocalist Warrel Dane died in 2017.

Debut album Refuge Denied (1987) was produced by Dave Mustaine. Key members mentioned in contemporary coverage and these reviews include vocalist Warrel Dane, guitarists Lenny Rutledge and Sean Blosl, and bassist Jim Sheppard. Warrel Dane and Jim Sheppard later were founding members of Nevermore.

DeBaser reviews hail Sanctuary's Refuge Denied (1987) as an ultra-metallic, densely produced debut and praise Warrel Dane's powerful vocals. Into The Mirror Black (1990) is described as a dark, seductive metal classic with strong compositions and thrash-tinged riffs. Both reviews recommend these albums as essential listening for fans of late 80s/early 90s metal.