Heavy Metal On Line<\/a>, SANCTUARY<\/b> vocalist Joseph Michael<\/b> spoke about the band’s recently released single “Not Of The Living”<\/b>. The track marked SANCTUARY<\/b>‘s first release through BLKIIBLK<\/b>, the heavy metal imprint of Frontiers Label Group<\/b>. Joseph<\/b> said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET<\/b>): “Well, I think that this song is the most straightforward song of the new songs that we’re working on. We had gone into the studio and recorded three songs, and this was, I think, the most straight-ahead heavy metal\u2026 This is \u2014 I wouldn’t say the least creative, but it’s definitely the most one-dimensional. It’s just heavy, and we kind of wanted to lead with that and then we’ll go on the journey when we start with the record. But we needed something, like a little foothold, so that we can establish that there is a new version of the band.”<\/p>\nRegarding when fans can expect to see a new full-length album from SANCTUARY<\/b>, Joseph<\/b> said: “Well, the label’s expecting it on January 7th. [Laughs<\/i>] But that’s just us turning in the masters and whatever.<\/p>\n
“When it comes to this, it’s not a nine-to-five job,” Joseph<\/b> explained. ‘You don’t clock in five days a week, and then at the end of the quarter, you spit out a report. That’s not how it works. These guys… I can speak for me personally, how I work, but it’s a group. [SANCTUARY<\/b> founder\/guitarist] Lenny<\/b> [Rutledge<\/b>] and I are the main writers, but he likes to bring in guys when he’s working on riffs. He likes to bring in the drummer [Dave Budbill<\/b>], bring in George<\/b> [Hernandez<\/b>], the bassist, and he likes to feel them out in the room, whereas me, I can write on some staff paper. I’ll write out the whole song… And then I don’t care. We’ll go in and play it later. So we have totally different processes. So it’s taken some getting used to, but I don’t think it’s that far off of SANCTUARY<\/b>, with the original lineup. I mean, we’re on the third record in 40 years, so I don’t think it’s taken that long considering the history of the band.”<\/p>\n
The official lyric video for “Not Of The Living”<\/b> can be seen below.<\/p>\n
“Not Of The Living”<\/b> marked SANCTUARY<\/b>‘s first new material since the passing of original vocalist Warrel Dane<\/b>.<\/p>\n
Produced and mixed by acclaimed producer Chris “Zeuss” Harris<\/b> (QUEENSR\u0178CHE<\/b>, METAL CHURCH<\/b>, ROB ZOMBIE<\/b>),“Not Of The Living”<\/b> captures SANCTUARY<\/b>‘s classic blend of dramatic songwriting, soaring melodies, and crushing riffs while delivering a modern sonic impact. The track also features a blistering guest guitar solo by Jake Dreyer<\/b> (WITHERFALL<\/b>, DEMONS & WIZARDS<\/b>, ICED EARTH<\/b>).<\/p>\n
When “Not Of The Living”<\/b> was first made available in April, Mike Gitter<\/b>, global head of A&R for Frontiers Label Group<\/b> and BLKIIBLK<\/b> label head, said in a statement: “We’re excited to be working with SANCTUARY<\/b>. Already a legendary band, in 2026, they’re building upon that legend and taking it one step further. When [European head of A&R] Aldo Lonobile<\/b> and I heard the songs, they had begun recording for their first full-length since their last full-length ‘The Year The Sun Died’<\/b> [2014], it was clear, SANCTUARY<\/b> were back making some of the most vital music of their career. Vocalist Joseph Michael<\/b> (WITHERFALL<\/b>) has stepped in for the late Warrell Dane<\/b> (NEVERMORE<\/b>) and carried the ball magnificently. Lenny Rutledge<\/b> (SANCTUARY<\/b> founding guitarist) is not only taking SANCTUARY<\/b>‘s legacy forward, but it already feels like he’s intent on exceeding it.”<\/p>\n
SANCTUARY<\/b> is preparing to embark on a wide-ranging 40th-anniversary world tour, celebrating four decades of metal history. For the tour, SANCTUARY<\/b> has recruited guitarist Will Wallner<\/b> (NEON DRAGON<\/b>, ex-WHITE WIZZARD<\/b>) on second lead guitar. The tour will span North America, South America and Europe, featuring special sets highlighting the band’s classic albums “Refuge Denied”<\/b> and “Into The Mirror Black”<\/b>, alongside fan favorites and new material, including “Not Of The Living”<\/b>.<\/p>\n
On December 13, 2017, Dane<\/b> passed away while recording his posthumously released studio album “Shadow Work”<\/b>. At that time, SANCTUARY<\/b> had already confirmed and announced a U.S. tour supporting ICED EARTH<\/b> in February and March 2018 and, while shocked by Dane’s passing, decided to turn it into a tribute to his legacy, with Michael<\/b> (also of WITHERFALL<\/b>) at the mic.<\/p>\n
Performing tracks from 1988’s “Refuge Denied”<\/b>, 1990’s “Into The Mirror Black”<\/b> and 2014’s “The Year The Sun Died”<\/b>, Michael<\/b> delivered a stunning performance and received very positive feedback from the fans attending the shows. Remaining founding members Rutledge<\/b> and Budbill<\/b> ultimately made the decision to continue with SANCTUARY<\/b> and Michael<\/b> not only as a live act, but also compose and record a new album.<\/p>\n
Photo credit: Dirk Behlau<\/b><\/p>\n