Formed in Seattle in the late 1980s, Sanctuary carved a unique identity within the American heavy metal scene. With Warrel Dane’s haunting voice and Lenny Rutledge’s sharp riffs, the band blended traditional power metal with dark, dramatic atmospheres — best captured on their debut album Refuge Denied (1988), produced by Dave Mustaine (Megadeth).

After disbanding in the 1990s — a period that gave rise to Nevermore — Sanctuary made a powerful comeback in 2014 with The Year the Sun Died, cementing their cult status among fans of old-school and progressive metal. Their sound bridges classic heavy metal and the melodic power metal of a new era.

On MusikMachine, discover an official Sanctuary pin — a must-have for collectors and fans of authentic heavy metal ⚙️🤘

Dive deeper into the Metal universe alongside other legends such as Queensrÿche and Tierra Santa.