L-R: Anders Grasholm – Drums | Cole Hume – Bass | Alan Binger – Vocals, Guitar | Glen Emond – Guitar [Download High Res Press Photo]
Power thrash champions SANKTUARY hail from the harsh and blisteringly cold of the deep far North of Canada’s Yukon Territory situating themselves in the city of Whitehorse (pretty far north, like the Siberia of Canada eh!). They have been trekking across the country for the past 6 years to bring their fierce and dynamic high speed riffs, catchy hooks, and belted out lyrics to the metal crowds.
A collective vision that began in high school with a group of like-minded teens fed up with the constraints of mainstream music who wanted to emulate the lifestyles of their favourite bands. Their straight-forward, no-bullshit attitudes shape their signature brand of heavy metal, which has lead them to release the full length, 2013’s ‘Something Fierce’, which reached #19 on the national college radio loud charts, 2011’s ‘Tundrastruck’ split with Nova Scotia’s Black Moor and Montreal’s Metallian plus two EPs 2010’s ‘Black Magic’ and 2009’s self-titled.
Members of the band write harmoniously, basing each song off of a key riff from either Alan Binger (vocals and guitar), Glen Emond (guitar), or Cole Hume (bass), and then Anders Grasholm (drums) works his magic on the rhythm of each tune.
2016 see the band’s return with their sophomore album ‘Winter’s Doom’ set for release on January 22nd, 2016. The album features seven killer high speed, breakneck thrash metal tracks inspired by the Yukon’s far North they call home along with other issues such as politics, technology, etc..
“In the title track and album cover we portray ourselves as heavy metal warriors thriving in a habitat where most would perish instantaneously.That’s our homeland, the Yukon.” comments the band.
Stay tuned for what Sanktuary has to offer for fans! Visit their Facebook page for more details at www.facebook.com/sanktuarymetal.
Discography
2009 – Sanktuary EP
2010 – Black Magic Brew EP
2011 – Tundrastruck Split EP
2013 – Something Fierce LP
Tours & Festivals
2012 – Something Fierce Across Canada Tour
2011 – Boozed, Used and Abused Eastern Canadian Tour
2011 – Annihilation of The Nation Cross Canada w/ Black Moor
2011 – Maritime Mayhem – Mini-Tour w/ Fatality
2010 – Waking The Dead Eastern Canadian Tour
2010 – Cross Canadian Tour
2009 – Western Canadian Tour
Shared Stage w/
3 Inches of Blood, Blood Ceremony, Fatality, Skull Fist, Unleash the Archers, Black Moor, Hellacaust, Aggressor, Shotgun Cure, Striker, Alcoholator, Reanimator, Mastery, Savage Blade, Datura, Descendant, The Order of Chaos, Tiger Star, Terrifier, Metalian
Endorsed by:
Peace Drums and Percussion – http://www.peace-drums.com/
“It’s like a lightweight Havok or Evile” – Terrorizer Magazine
“On their debut full-length ‘Something Fierce’, Sanktuary deliver a furious half hour of exceptionally retro-infused metal. Although inspired by NWOBHM in much of its tonality, there’s a good dose of vintage speed metal injected in to the band’s ferocious delivery, with the result being something rather thrashy indeed. ‘Thrill Of The Kill’ is a great example of this, the band channelling an early Bay Area feel through both the unrelenting riffs and spit-drenched bite of the lyrics….when Sanktuary get it right, such as on the brilliantly eviler-than-thou heavy metal anthem ‘Midnite Mass’, they sound as suitably fierce as their album title implies.” – Powerplay Mag UK
“Canadians Sanktuary may have a dodgy moniker and album artwork featuring a clumsily-drawn skeletal beast-warrior, but once you get past that, there’s a lot to enjoy. Their sound is equal parts traditional metal and machine-gun thrash, all topped off with some high-flying, melodic vocals and peppered with spiralling solos. Take some early Testament, shades of Annihilator, throw in some classic Vicious Rumors, and a pinch of Lååz Rockit, give the resulting mixture a raw, electric production, and inject it with youthful energy and a certain naive charm…it is great fun and passes in a flash, leaving you ready for more.” – Zero Tolerance Mag
“Drawing on elements from traditional metal and early thrash-, speed-, and power metal, Sanktuary’s music is quite melodic and considerably easy to listen to and take in. There are plenty of all out rock ‘n’ metal guitar histrionic, and the mildly Geddy Lee-ish vocals actually fit nicely into the picture…Capturing the best of thrash as it was in its nascent era, Sanktuary’s “Something Fierce” should appeal to fans of thrash, speed, and traditional metal alike.” 4/5 – MetalMusicArchives
“‘Hailing from the farthest reaches of Canada, The Yukon, Sanktuary are a band hot on the heels of their contemporaries laying down a mix of classic metal, power metal (US) and thrash all in one debut album release that is presented in a very nice digipak format…This is a mix of great musical genres, delivering a real exuberant energy and clear passion, Sanktuary are certainly worth checking out.'” – Brutalism
“My first impression of Something Fierce was that this was the kind of album I would have saved my allowance for. It represents everything that is good and exciting about thrash and doesn’t sacrifice musical quality for ego or showmanship. It just thrashes, from beginning to end. The best tracks on this album are those that go for sheer speed—check out “Thrill of the Kill,” “Screeching for Vengeance,” and “Fire in the Sky”—for the way these guys dive in to the speed and energy, the thrill, of the music itself. These are good thrash songs, contributions to a beloved musical style, not karaoke-style imitations.” – SeofTranquility
“With a mature, up-tempo, retro sound they could be described as a blend of Iron Maiden and early Motley Crue. But despite the comparison, they are a unique group that is definitely worth a listen…This album holds a very consistent sound that displays Sanktuary’s clear and driven musical style. All 8 songs sound like they belong on vinyl, destined to spin in a 1970’s designed garage during a rowdy house party. Sanktuary reflects badass metal from a different era and is indeed something fierce.” 5/5 – Louder Than Hell
“I love listening to this album. It’s barely left my ears since I have gotten it.” – Metal Forces Magazine
“Something Fierce is packed with enough galloping rhythms to make an entire battalion of cavalry jealous. Shades of Metallica can be heard and they even have a track called “Screeching for Vengeance.” Complete with clean vocals, ripping solos, big choruses and gang shouts, this is an uncompromising homage to the golden age of heavy metal. It’s something I like to call “buddy metal.”. Grab some buddies and some beverages and fire up Something Fierce.” – Heavy Metal.About.com
“The eight-track, 29 minute EP is almost a bit too short but always leave them wanting more, which is just what the band did. The power-trio rips out the eight cuts of molten metal with a string sense of and velocity coursing through the veins of the album. Melding classic Metal and hints of thrash, Sanktuary finds a sweet spot with some excellent songs with good delivery bolstered by good gang vocals…If you need a touchstone reference, I van hear nice bits of other great Canadian bands like Cauldron, Skullfist and all those types of acts. SOMETHING FIERCE is an admirable, sure to catch a few ears and the band will be one to watch.” – Metal-Rules
“I think the best description of “Something Fierce” would be to say that it’s a time machine: It’s a non-stop flight to 1984, where we can enjoy the biggest jewels of thrash.” – GoetiaMetal
“Looking for the unholy love child of Judas Priest & Metallica, as fronted by a singer who sounds half Geddy Lee/half Lee Dorrian? Look no further! “Something Fierce” is the fine collection of whiplash groove thrash that you seek. The solid debut by displaced Yukoners, Sanktuary, takes you on a shake-your-hips, raise-your-fist, wild thrashin’ retro power metal ride.” – CKCU 931. FM (Ottawa) – E.v’s Underground
“‘Something Fierce’ is a solid metal album. Sanktuary has a sound that is reminiscent of 80’s metal only heavier. I’m a pretty big fan of their sound! …I love the vintage metal vibe that Sanktuary has going on – sweeping guitars and catchy lyrics. I definitely think you should give them a lis” – Confront Magazine
“if you’re looking for a ferocious and fun NWOBHM styled record then this is the album for you. More violent than Iron Maiden but also quite a bit more laid back than Slayer this is a record that should appeal to metalheads across the globe. Rife with references to classic metal anthems, fiery solos that will take you by the throat and pounding riffs that are meant to be listened to as you roar on down the highway Sanktuary are not to be missed. If Something Fierce is any indication then these guys are well on the way to a long and successful career of pure heavy metal mastery.” – Two Guys Metal Reviews
“Something Fierce is exactly what this album is, Sanktuary has recorded one of the best Traditional Canadian Heavy Metal Album that I have listened to in a long ass time.” – KingstonMusicReviews
“Sanktuary have it all on this release and they manage to create a sound that combines vintage thrash riffs, melodic/speed and power metal passages in great abundance. This is a fantastic debut and if you enjoy the sounds of past eras like classic thrash, early 80’s speed metal and the NWOBHM then this might be for you. Something Fierce is no mere throwback, but a testament to the elements that forged such great sub-genres in the first place.” – The Metal Pit
“recent transplants from the Yukon to Nova Scotia and I’m pretty sure they didn’t do much but play music before heading south. Thrash with a thick coating of traditional metal, ‘Raise The Flag’ is a crowd pleaser and having heard them play it live, I know this to be true. I can’t wait for these guys to put out a full length!” – Earshot! (Review of Tundrastruck split EP)
“Raise The Flag is faithful track number two. Now without wanting to compare, I hear a little of early Metallica even a little Pound for Pound Anvil in this track. Without a doubt this is a beer drinking metal anthem. It makes me feel like slamming my text book against my vandalized desk and telling Ms.Sulley to “Fuck off, art history blows!” – Hard And Heavy Zine (Review of Tundrastruck split EP)
“I was excited to hear Sanktuary as they are a thrash metal band from the Yukon, and hell who ever hears of metal bands from the North. So that in itself right there is a big point of interest to get you excited…I do know that the opening track “Speed Demon” totally sticks in my head, and yes it sounds exactly like you expect it to sound. On their myspace page they have a thing that says just fucking metal and I think that really sums up everything you need to know about Sanktuary. If you like thrash then don’t hesitate listen to this as soon as you possibly can.” – Left Hip Mag (Review of Sanktuary EP 2009)
“The penultimate band last night was another Halifax speed metal band, that being Black Moor’s good friends Sanktuary, and though their sounds were similar in genre, Sanktuary stood out on their own as well! Compared to Black Moor, Sanktuary’s sound wasn’t as varied, taking more cues from speed metal in general, so it was more straightforward, but still very relentless and entertaining! Alan Binger’s vocals were really nice, ranging from a suitable heavy metal tone to some really melodic patches and even a couple falsetto notes here and there! He and Cole Hume rocked our faces off with their crushing metal sounds, and Anders Grasholm fit perfectly with his proficient drum skills! Though their originals were really entertaining and full of great old school metal, fans of Metallica were pleased to hear them cover “The Four Horsemen” and “Motorbreath” at the end of their set, which was really cool! Though I was getting worn out by this point, I recognized the talent of Sanktuary, and hopefully they come back to the Soo really soon!” – The Sault Metal Scene (Concert Review)
“Sanktuary delivers a retro speed/thrash style…”Raise the Flag” is a catchy and upbeat speed metal track” – Metal Music Archives (Review of Tundrastruck split EP)
“Originally from Whitehorse you have to wonder if that adds to the speed in which they play. Being cold all the time in their youth must have made them play quickly to stay warm. To be serious this is a great fast moving song (Raise The Flag) that is true thrash in every sense of the word.” – WeLoveMetal.com (Review from Tundrastruck spilt EP)
“Raise the Flag converted me with it’s rhythmically interesting grooves–I like that they don’t do everything cliche, and I detect some stonerrock influence here, especially in the outro. Gives your neck a break and shifts gears from headbanging to headbobbing, something i’m all for. Also a wicked guitar solo, and shouted gang vocals, right on boys! The performance is technically great,” – Noisography (Review from Tundrastruck split EP)
“This is raw Thrash-influenced Metal as it should be. The demo has a real live feel about it. The guitar chugs away, the drums are battered & the singer grunts far more than he shrieks. BMB is a beer driven & enthusiastic romp in four songs. It does everything it says on the tin.” – Pulp Metal Mag (Review of Black Magic Brew EP 2010)
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