inception

Product Description

With 'Inception', the US metallers SANCTUARY, founded in 1985 in Seattle, release their lost first studio recordings from 1986. 'I found the master tapes on the second floor of my barn on the ground floor now converted into a studio', explains guitarist Lenny Rutledge. There it rains a little pure and therefore they had become damp and mouldy over the years, but Zeuss (producer of Queensrÿche, Hatebreed) was able to restore, remix and master them decently! The result is fantastic and I am very pleased that fans will now hear these early versions of our songs in excellent quality.' The songs on 'Inception' were recorded in March 1986 at Triad Studios in Redmond, Washington ('Soldiers Of Steel' / 'Battle Angels') as well as between April and July 1986 at Studio One in White Center. In addition to pieces of their debut classic 'Refuge Denied' (1988 / produced by Dave Mustaine), 'Inception' includes two previously unreleased songs ('Dream Of The Incubus', 'I Am Insane') and also a cover of Ed Repka that picked up the 'Refuge Denied' theme as well as extremely detailed liner notes by The Ancatch days and first successes of the band as well as massively rare picture material including old artwork sketches, early logo designs and much more. In parallel, SANCTUARY are currently working on the successor to their last album 'The Year The Sun Died' and are already confirmed for numerous major festivals in summer (Wacken, Graspop, Hellfest, Bang Your Head...). Previously, 'Inception' appears an elaborate, historical release that Rutledge deservedly calls a prequel to 'Refuge Denied'.
'Inception' is physically available as a Special Edition Digipak with 28-page booklet as well as cursed chic LP in black 180 gram vinyl. The vinyl comes in the gatefold cover and includes a 12-page booklet in LP format, a large-format poster of the cover and the CD as an extra.

Review

Ein Sprung in dunkle Gewässer, ein tiefer Tauchgang ein gehobener Schatz aus lang vergangenen Metal-Zeiten! INCEPTION ist keine klassische Wiederveröffentlichung: Tatsächlich hatten diese Demoaufnahmen aus dem Jahr 1986 nie das Licht der Welt erblickt. Was aus ihnen hervorging, prägte das Riff-Königreich jedoch nachhaltig: Ein Großteil der Songs schaffte es auf das legendäre Sanctuary-Debüt REFUGE DENIED (1988), legte den Grundstein für ihre Karriere und die ihrer Nachfolger Nevermore. Letztere sind nicht mehr, während die reformierten Sanctuary am Nachfolger von THE YEAR THE SUN DIED (2014) arbeiten. Da kommt dieser Trip in die Vergangenheit gerade recht! Produzent Chris 'Zeuss' Harris hat aus den alten, lückenhaften und verwitterten Mastertapes von Gitarrist Lenny Rutledges zugigem Dachboden herausgeholt, was ging. So klingt das Material schroff, spontan und schrammelig, aber energetisch, rockend und durchaus hörbar. Der Demo-Charme macht diese Urversion von REFUGE DENIED-Material wie 'Ascension To Destiny', 'White Rabbit', 'Die For My Sins' oder 'Battle Angels' schließlich aus! Bislang unbekannte Songs wie 'Dream Of The Incubus' oder 'I Am Insane' sind wahres Gold, das nostalgische Coverartwork von Ed Repka sowie Fotos, Flyer und Linernotes tragen zum authentischen Retro-Metal-Trip bei. Dass das Album nach neun Songs mit dem Satz 'The circle is complete' endet: perfekt! (Metal Hammer)