Photo by Neil Lim Sang

 

SANCTUARY – return to Europe for special festival shows and discuss future plans in new video

 

On December 13th, 2017, Warrel Dane, the legendary lead singer of Sanctuary and Nevermore passed away while recording his posthumously released studio album “Shadow Work”. At that time, Sanctuary had already confirmed and announced a US tour supporting Iced Earth in February/March 2018 and while shocked by Warrel Dane’s passing, decided to turn it into a tribute to his legacy with exceptionally talented Witherfall vocalist Joseph Michael. Performing tracks from 1988’s “Refuge Denied”, 1990’s “Into the Mirror Black” and 2014’s “The Year the Sun Died”, Joseph Michael delivered a stunning performance and received very positive feedback from the fans attending the shows. Remaining founding members Lenny Rutledge (guitars) and Dave Budbill (drums) ultimately made the decision to continue with Sanctuary and new singer Joseph Michael not only as a live act, but also compose and record a new album, which is currently expected to surface in 2020.

 

Now, the band has confirmed two European festival shows this summer and will tour North America in July performing the entire “Refuge Denied” album as Lenny Rutledge explains:

 

“Sanctuary are looking forward to playing two special festival shows in Europe this summer in addition to our commemorative “Refuge Denied” dates in the US where we will perform our classic debut album in full. If you’re an old school Sanctuary fan or a fan of classic metal, you don’t what to miss this run of dates! Joseph Michael (Witherfall) is the new singer of Sanctuary and we will be playing songs from all 3 albums but focusing on the earlier material. Come check out the return of Sanctuary!”

 

Lenny Rutledge and Joseph Michael reveal more about Sanctuary’s future in this new video:

https://youtu.be/GNIVfSiOENA

 

 

While the new album is still months away, Sanctuary will continue to perform live as Joseph Michael enables the group to do intense old school sets including the soaring vocals and high screams, fans know and love on albums such as “Refuge Denied” and “Into the Mirror Black”. Sometimes, great triumph comes from great tragedy, and this sounds true in regards to Sanctuary!

 

 

SANCTUARY live 2019

2019 North American tour - Performing all of “Refuge Denied”!

With special guests: Ghost Ship Octavius

July 11 Atlanta, GA - Basement

July 12 Chapel Hill, NC – Local 586

July 13 Frederick, MD – Cafe 611

July 14 Brooklyn, NY – Saint Vitus Bar

July 16 Somerville, MA – Once Ballroom

July 17 Pittsburgh, PA – Crafthouse

July 18 Cincinnati, OH – North Side Yacht Club

July 19 Indianapolis, IN – Black Circle Brewery

July 20 Detroit, MI – Sanctuary

July 21 Chicago, IL – Reggies

August 16 Portland, OR – Bossanova Ballroom *

August 17 Seattle, WA – El Corazon *

* only SANCTUARY performing

 

Tickets and merch available at https://www.sanctuaryofficial.com/home

 

2019 European festival shows:

25. - 27.07.2019 Brande-Hörnerkichen (DE) Headbangers Open Air        

10.08.2019 Kortrijk (BE) Alcatraz Festival

 

Latest release:

SANCTUARY “Inception” (Remixed & Remastered 1986 Demos) http://smarturl.it/SanctuaryINCEPTION  

 

Also check out:

WARREL DANE “Shadow Work” https://warreldane.lnk.to/ShadowWorkID

WITHERFALL “A Prelude To Sorrow” https://witherfallband.lnk.to/APreludeToSorrow

WITHERFALL “Vintage – EP” https://witherfallband.lnk.to/vintageID

 

 

It is with great pleasure that we can finally announce that Sanctuary are officially continuing on. This small string of US dates will serve as the starting point of many more things to come. To celebrate the deep history of the band and the connection the fans have with us, we will perform Refuge Denied in its entirety, along with other popular songs. Along for this journey, Ghost Ship Octavius (Van Williams former Nevermore) will be joining us. 2019 will be an exciting year.

For Show Tickets and Merch (We have new sizes in on shirts) VIsit http://www.SanctuaryOfficial.com

 

Sanctuary Lineup:

Joseph Michael (Witherfall) - Vocals

Lenny Rutledge - Guitar

Dave Budbill - Drums

George Hernandez - Bass

Joey Concepcion (Arch Enemy-Live) - Guitar

Happy New Years from all of us in WItherfall, we have exciting news to share with you within the next  two weeks!

Here is a discount code good until the morning for 20% off  enter NEWYEAR at checkout

Sanctuary founding guitarist/songwriter gives an interview with Decibel Magazine regarding the future of Sanctuary and new Vocalist Joseph Michael..

 

https://bit.ly/2SOaEJY

 

Watch a clip from the Iced Earth/Sanctuary tour earlier this year...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTBeW1-x3X0&start_radio=1&list=RDcTBeW1-x3X0&t=5

 

listen to more and get more info at:

 

Today US dark melodic metal masters WITHERFALL have released “A Prelude to Sorrow”, the highly anticipated follow-up to 2017’s “Nocturnes and Requiems”.   Listen to the album in its entirety HERE. 

Watch an unboxing video of “A Prelude To Sorrow” HERE. 

 

Last day Sale on this bundle!

The media reaction to the album has been nothing short of extraordinary: 

"A Prelude To Sorrow" provides the listener a cathartic release through some of the most mesmerizing music I have ever heard. The savage brilliance of this album is stunning 

-9.5/10 -Metal Wani- 

One of the most talented acts in metal; check this out and be impressed 

-Angry Metal Guy- 

The turmoil of WITHERFALL‘s chaotic, highly technical and dramatic performance is as impressive as ever. 

-Distorted Sound Magazine- 

-5/5 Metal Hammer.de- 

I implore you listen to ‘A Prelude to Sorrow’ so that you too can share in an album that is as moving as it is memorable, as emotional as it is engaging, as intelligent as it is intimate and that is as heavy lyrically as it is musically. In short, it’s a sonic tour-de-force. 

- 9.8/10 Man of Much Metal- 

A Prelude To Sorrow" is one of the recordings of the year. 

-Rock Hard Greece- 

‘We are Nothing’ and ‘Vintage’ being the shining stars. Both songs are 11 minute compositions reminding of the best, progressive metal offered till today. 

-9/10 Markusheavymusicblog- 

WITHERFALL understand how to package perfectly negative emotions in such a way that a large whole emerges. Despite the blows of fate (or maybe just because of that), the band grows beyond itself. Actually, it cannot get better. 

- 9/10 Hell-fire magazine- 

8.5 / 10 Joseph Michael’s powerful voice belongs to the best of the genre. 

-ROCK HARD (Ger) Soundcheck #9- 

-AARDSCHOK (NL) Soundcheck #3- 

90 / 100 A blasting album where technique and vibe fit perfectly together! 

-LORDSOFMETAL.NL- 

9 / 10 – WITHERFALL have delivered an impressive follow-up 

-BURNYOUREARS.DE- 

Magnificent! 

-9/10 Rock Tribune (B)- 

‘A Prelude To Sorrow’ overwhelmed me upon first listen and has enough interesting details to keep surprising me" 

-Gitarist (NL)- 

Bolstered by a clear, crisp recording, this album is an essential listen for any heavy/power/progressive metal fan. 

-Wonder Box Metal- 

On “A Prelude to Sorrow”, main songwriters Joseph Michael (vocals, Sanctuary – live) and Jake Dreyer (Iced Earth) succeeded in perfectly combining the group’s technical proficiency with an appropriate eerie and somber atmosphere, manifesting also in Kristian Wåhlin’s majestic cover painting. “A Prelude to Sorrow” was mixed and mastered by Chris “Zeuss” Harris. (Sanctuary, Queensryche, Iced Earth) 

The album is available as a Limited Edition Digipak, jewel case CD (US only), gatefold 2LP plus poster and etching on Side D as well as digital album. 

The following limited vinyl colors are available: 

•        400x transparent blue vinyl – only available at www.witherfall.com/merch 

•        200x clear vinyl – only available at Century Media’s European store http://bit.ly/WitherfallCMD 

•        CD/LP plus t-shirt bundles available here: https://merchnow.com/catalogs/witherfall 

View all “A Prelude To Sorrow” order options: https://witherfallband.lnk.to/APreludeToSorrow 

 

 

US dark melodic metal masters WITHERFALL will release the highly anticipated follow-up to 2017’s “Nocturnes and Requiems” on November 2nd, 2018. The band reveals more details about this stunning new offering: 

“A Prelude To Sorrow is a concept record, though not in the sense that most people have come to know the form. Ours is not a story where each song acts as a chapter. The inspiration lays in the supremely dark reality that was the passing of our drummer and one of our best friends Adam Sagan. These songs are raw emotional reflections, composed in the witching hours under the influence of wine and sorrow, while watching and helping our friend fight and ultimately lose his battle with Lymphoma. Nocturnes and Requiems was dedicated to Adam after the fact. A Prelude to Sorrow is written specifically about his and our personal tragedy. Like Nocturnes and Requiems the songs have been arranged to still have the peaks and valleys that any great record should. With “Prelude” these peaks just might be a little steeper and the valleys might be a little deeper, alternating between violence and beauty. The titles initials are an acronym for “Adam Paul Sagan”, He came up with Nocturnes and Requiems so we suppose it is kind of fitting that he also inspired this title. Hope he doesn’t come knocking on our door for royalties. We hope that this will be a fitting requiem for our friend and talented musician.” 

Given its tragic background, main songwriters Joseph Michael (vocals, Sanctuary – live) and Jake Dreyer (guitars, Iced Earth) succeeded in perfectly combining the group’s technical proficiency with an appropriate eerie and somber atmosphere, manifesting also in Kristian Wåhlin’s majestic cover painting. For mix and mastering, WITHERFALL again worked with Chris “Zeuss” Harris (Sanctuary, Queensryche, Iced Earth).

An album artwork trailer can be seen here: https://youtu.be/-P18I1viXGA 

 

 

 

The “A Prelude To Sorrow” track list can be viewed below: 

WITHERFALL – A Prelude To Sorrow 

1. A Prelude To Sorrow (1:21) 

2. We Are Nothing (11:15) 

3. Moment Of Silence (6:50) 

4. Communion Of The Wicked (6:35) 

5. Maridian’s Visitation (3:30) 

6. Shadows (7:03) 

7. Ode To Despair (3:51) 

8. The Call (3:52) 

9. Vintage (11:06) 

10. Epilogue (2:53) 

The album will be released as Limited Edition Digipak, jewelcase CD (US only), gatefold 2LP plus poster and etching on Side D as well as digital album. 

The following limited vinyl colours are available: 

400x transparent blue vinyl – only available at www.witherfall.com/merch 

200x clear vinyl – only available at Century Media’s European store http://bit.ly/WitherfallCMD 

All “A Prelude To Sorrow” pre-orders are available here: https://witherfallband.lnk.to/APreludeToSorrow 

WITHERFALL is: 

Jake Dreyer - Guitars 

Joseph Michael - Vocals/Keyboards 

Anthony Crawford - Bass 

Fili Bibiano - Guitar 

Steve Bolognese- Drums 

WITHERFALL online: 

www.witherfall.com 

https://www.facebook.com/witherfall 

www.instagram.com/witherfallofficial 

https://twitter.com/witherfall 

http://youtube.com/witherfall

 

Stream the latest track from Witherfall. It is available on the Japanese ReIssue via Ward Records.

Trouble viewing? Click Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jENy4QvPR_o&feature=youtu.be

Seattle metal legends SANCTUARY kicked off their North American tour with ICED EARTH  (Thursday, February 22) at Old National Centre in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

These shows are acting as a tribute to the musical legacy of SANCTUARY singer Warrel Dane, who passed away last December. Guest vocals for SANCTUARY on the trek are being provided by Joseph Michael (WITHERFALL). Also joining the band on the road is second guitarist Joey Concepcion ...

Read more: http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/video-sanctuary-plays-first-show-with-witherfall-singer-joseph-michael/

 

more info at http://www.witherfall.com

 

Hey guys Witherfall guitarist Jake Dreyer and Singer Joseph Michael will be out on the Iced Earth & Sanctuary Tour From February 22nd til April!!!! Get your tickets here and Come and say hello \../, 

https://www.ticketmaster.com/search?tm_link=tm_header_search&user_input=Iced+Earth+and+Sanctuary&q=Iced+Earth+and+Sanctuary 

In the Meantime check the latest Video for Portrait: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M2Sa8nsdzQ

Today the band releases their new video for the song ‘Portrait’ taken from their full-length debut, “Nocturnes and Requiems”. The video was post-production on the video was completed by renowned producer/director Eduardo Rodriguez known for: Fright Night 2 and El Gringo. Watch the exclusive premiere of the video HERE, courtesy of Decibel Magazine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M2Sa8nsdzQ&feature=youtu.be

 

The band told Decibel about the video, “Witherfall never settle for anything less than perfection in everything do. We have spent the last year searching for the right Video Production Team. A writer/Director that shared our epic vision vision of "Portrait". With multiple locations, a cast and crew of over a dozen as well as adverse filming conditions notwithstanding; It was already an ambitious effort to do a music video like this in the current climate of the industry. To us, it was either go big or go home. We want to thank all of the cast and crew that handled "The Shining" like conditions of the “Portrait” music video production.” 

 

CAST AND CREW 

Ghost- Zel Romero 

Wife - Sarah French 

Husband – James Preston 

Directed - KasterTroy 

Director of Photography – Ryder Page 

Camera Operator – Tyki Sato 

Editor – KasterTroy 

Post Production – Eduardo Rodriguez 

Screenplay – KasterTroy 

Lacey Hawk 

Hair and Makeup – Elizabeth Aston 

WITHERFALL are currently out on high seas as part of the 70000 Tons of Metal Cruise. Following that show, frontman Joseph Michael will perform vocals for Sanctuary as a part of a Warrel Dane tribute on Iced Earth’s North American tour. A complete list of dates can be found HERE. 

BIO 

In August 2017 Witherfall signed a worldwide Recording contract with Century Media Records. Their Debut album Nocturnes and Requiems has been re-released in territories outside the Untied States on October 6th 2017. Witherfall has also secured a deal with Japanese imprint Ward Records for distribution in Japan. A bonus track titled "The Long Walk Home (December)" is included as a bonus on the Ward Records re-release. 

In December 2017 Witherfall booked their first Live Appearance on 70000 Tons Of Metal Cruise and announced the first live lineup including Steve Bolognese (ex-Into Eternity) and Anthony Crawford (Alan Holdsworth/Virgil Donati) Witherfall vocalist Joseph Michael was chosen to pay tribute to the late Sanctuary/Nevermore vocalist Warrel Dane on a farewell tribute tour opening for Iced Earth in Feb-March 2018. 

Joseph Michael - Vocals/Keyboards 

Jake Dreyer - Guitars 

Anthony Crawford - Bass 

Steve Bolognese- Drums 

Fili Bibiano - Guitar 

Eager to resonate their ideas, WITHERFALL headed to Phoenix, Arizona to record their self produced debut album, "Nocturnes And Requiems", with engineer Ralph Patlan (MEGADETH, Brian "Head" Welch, MSG) in late 2014. The album was then sent on to New York City for mixing and mastering by Chris "Zeuss" Harris (ROB ZOMBIE, QUEENSRŸCHE, HATEBREED) at Planet Z. Resulting in eight masterfully executed tracks featuring the group's dynamic blend of darkened melodic and progressive metal, "Nocturnes And Requiems" was released on February 10, 2017 Witherfall.com. 

"Nocturnes And Requiems" is dedicated to the life of Adam Sagan, who passed on December 7, 2016 during the final stages of production. The band collectively commented: "This, as we know, is the last piece of work that Adam contributed and played on. "Adam's talent, passion and personality is woven throughout every part of this record as he was easily one third of the creative force."'Nocturnes and Requiems' was a name that Adam eerily came up with one evening when we were figuring out album titles, [and it] would not have sounded the way it does now without his immense contribution on and off the drums."Adam, we love you, and it's a tragedy that you were not able to see this release. You will always and forever be a member of WITHERFALL. Rest in peace, man." 

WITHERFALL has revealed the album's debut single, "End Of Time", which can be seen/heard in the below lyric music video. Showcasing the melancholic cover artwork painted by Kristian Wåhlin (BATHORY, THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, WINTERSUN), "End Of Time" presents a unique approach to the idea of a modern metal song with memorable melodic hooks, big choruses and dynamically aggressive vocals combined with virtuosic guitar playing reminiscent of the legends of the neoclassical shred guitar scene and a progressive rhythm section featuring modern extreme drumming techniques and fusion influenced bass lines. 

Buy the debut album here at : 

TOUR DATES 

February 1-5 70000 Tons of Metal Cruise