Sanctuary

Emerging toward the close of the initial surge in 1980s American thrash, Sanctuary developed in tandem with Anthrax, Metallica, Testament, and Megadeth; the last of these assisted the Seattle-based ensemble in securing a recording contract. Warrel Dane on vocals, guitarists Lenny Rutledge and Sean Blosl, bassist Jim Sheppard, and drummer Dave Budbil established the band in 1985, after which Megadeth guitarist Dave Mustaine produced their 1988 Epic debut, Refuge Denied. Blosl exited the following year, at which point Jeff Loomis joined on guitar. Although Sanctuary’s second album, 1990’s Into the Mirror Black, earned favorable notices, mounting internal tensions—fueled by Epic’s insistence that the group adjust to the rising grunge movement—precipitated the band’s 1992 dissolution. Warrel Dane, Jim Sheppard, and Jeff Loomis subsequently achieved recognition through Nevermore. The original lineup reconvened in 2010 for several concerts, then issued their first new studio album in twenty-four years, The Year the Sun Died, through Century Media Records in 2014. Inception appeared in 2017, presenting remixed and remastered studio recordings that had remained unreleased since 1986.