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!
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‘Space Race’ – Judging by the cover alone you can tell you are in for a good work out of the ears and hair variety! This track just blisters with energy and addictive qualities. A bit unsure about the vocals though as they sound a little flimsy for this track, but we shall see…
‘Wild is The Wind’ – Another track that is brought to life with a fantastic chug and a blistering of riffs that skim around the ears in agitation! The vocals sound superb – gnarly and demonic. Definitely one gripping track from start to finish.
‘Vermin Lord’ – Is an ambient intrusive stroll into oblivion as the beat takes on a primal energy and whips up a brewing storm of incitement. The vocals take on a chanting role and savagely attack the audial.
‘Winter’s Doom’ – Not giving the listener a minute to catch their breath this one feeds off a malignant riff that unfolds with a fast and familiar chug that will leave the ears inflamed with thrashing madness.
‘Open your Eyes’ – The addictive energy jabs with feverish intent – try as I might I can’t keep still – it is just one of those tracks that leave you exhausted after listening.
‘Corpse Blockade’ – Is about as subtle as an express train! It throbs with menacing endeavour and rampages in equal abundance, although the vocals seem so high pitched it takes away from the evocativeness of the track which is a shame as musically it knows just where to hit!
‘Maximum Authority’ – This track once again gets to grips with its edgy intensity and locks horns in this final encounter. The riffing is just magnificent and throws the listener into a state of indulgence even the vocal revelry twists with dynamic emotion.
Despite the vocals being slightly off kilter in a couple of the tracks it doesn’t take away much from this kick ass album as the music literally wraps itself around your head and pulverises leaving you slightly disorientated.
It gets you pent up for the next onslaught of riffs and expresses full on creativity as the tracks further.
It is one ravenous album that really takes you by force and blossoms into evil virulence. Each track is a tirade of brutal thrash that you won’t be able to resist as it chugs into life.
