Sanctuary

The Year the Sun Died

(Century Media Records)

Long before Seattle’s music scene was synonymous with grunge and flannel, it produced some pretty talented heavy metal bands like Queensryche, Metal Church, and the often forgotten Sanctuary. Many metal fans may be more familiar the newer reincarnation of this band as Nevermore. As Sanctuary, the band released two well-received albums before breaking up in 1992. But like most things from the ’80s and ’90s, they are making a come back and kicking it off with the release of their first album in nearly 25 years entitled The Year the Sun Died.

Good news for long-time fans, and metal fans alike; the band has not lost a beat from their last album over two decades ago ago. The first track on the record, “Arise and Purify” almost hints at their return, with the opening lines, “We are unchanged. We are forgotten” being powerfully bellowed by singer Warrel Dane, who by the way comes back with a forceful mix of power and softness throughout the album. He may not reach the same falsetto you will hear on the earlier recordings, but many fans will not mind as his diverse range really works with all the unique musical styles found across this album.

The record mixes a wide range of styles, from thrash and progressive, to doom and speed, but also offers a softer side with some acoustic melodies and ballads, like the track “Am I Low” which thankfully comes in at just the right time in the record to mix it up a bit.

There’s no doubt that the songs sound fresh, and the band has been able to make the music sound modern, but it all does start to sound the same. It will certainly harken recollections of the last two Testament albums. Despite that criticism, the band surely holds its own and proves that there is room for some good old fashion American heavy metal. (Mike Goldberg)

Purchase The Year the Sun Died here: North America | Europe