Spawning from high school friendship and growing into something much more epic out of the deep dark north of the Canadian Yukon, power thrashers Sanktuary are proud to unleash their debut thrash thrill ride ‘Something Fierce’, out today, July 2nd onSpread The Metal Records.

Album Stream – Something Fierce – https://soundcloud.com/spreadthemetalrecords/sets/sanktuary-something-fierce

Album order – www.spreadthemetal.com

Sanktuary bassist Cole Hume comments:

“On behalf of the Skank Squad, I am unbelievably stoked to finally be on the eve of releasing our debut album Something Fierce upon the world. A mighty appreciation goes out to Matt Day and Spread the Metal Records as well as all those along the way, who without would not have made this possible. We can only hope that all who give a listen will appreciate the blood, sweat, tears and beers upon beers that went into the making of this record. So horns up to the metal heads of Canada and the world and we are pumped to hear what has to be said of what we think to be Something Fierce!””

Matt Day of STM records also comments:

“Our deepest apologies to all the other bands who have releases coming out in July, and may we suggest that there’s always next month. Although I personally have no creative talent to speak of, I was ecstatic to gain the privilege of signing the necessary forms and documents to bring this release to the masses. And as long as the boys of The Skank Squad are putting everything they have into this crazy business we call music, I’ll be there to proudly take the credit. Now go forth and Spread the Metal!!!”

Track Listing & Artwork: Something Fierce

Sanktuary_SomethingFierce_AlbumArt

1. Deadly Prey
2. Heat Lightning
3. Hail The Villain
4. Thrill Of The Kill
5. Screeching For Vengeance
6. Fire In The Sky
7. Beyond The Wall
8. Midnite Mass

    Sanktuary kicked things off with two back-to-back EPs – 2009′s self-titled release and 2010′s Black Magic Brew – and soon followed that up with a massive move from Whitehorse, Yukon to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

After touring the country following their epic relocation and being faced with a major blow in Toronto that saw their van and nearly all their gear get stolen, Sanktuary turned things around with a third EP in 2011, Tundrastruck (a 3 way split with Black Moor and Metallian), followed by them signing to Spread the Metal Records, which sent them all the way back to Whitehorse to record‘Something Fierce’.

Live Video – http://youtu.be/NmeQbIa1-ME

For more info on Sanktuary, please visit these following links.

http://www.spreadthemetal.com/

http://www.facebook.com/sanktuarymetal

https://www.twitter.com/sanktuarymetal

“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

“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

“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)

L-R: Anders Grasholm – Drums | Cole Hume – Bass | Alan Binger – Vocals, Guitar | Glen Emond – Guitar
L-R: Anders Grasholm – Drums | Cole Hume – Bass | Alan Binger – Vocals, Guitar | Glen Emond – Guitar

 

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