SANCTUARY — Into The Mirror Black (review)

SANCTUARY — Into The Mirror Black album cover Album · 1989 · US Power Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"Into The Mirror Black" is the 2nd full-length studio album by US power metal act Sanctuary. The album was released through CBS/Epic Records in late 1989 (Europe)/early 1990 (US and Japan). Sanctuary were formed in 1985 and released their debut full-length studio album "Refuge Denied" in 1987. The album was quite successful and also received some additional attention as a result of Dave Mustaine (Megadeth) acting as producer. A few years down the line and Sanctuary were ready with a new batch of original tracks. This time they chose Howard Benson (Motörhead, Apocalyptica, Sepultura) to produce. It´s interesting to note that Joe Barresi is credited as engineering assistent on the album. Barresi later became quite prolific and has worked with artists like Tool, Isis, Melvins, Kyuss, Soundgarden, and Enslaved.

Stylistically the music on "Into The Mirror Black" continues the US power metal style initiated on "Refuge Denied (1987)". It´s quite hard edged, pretty heavy, and even thrashy at times, but ultimately still closer to power metal than to thrash metal. In addition to heavy riffs, blistering solo work, and heavy and more up-tempo rhythms, the music features the distinct sounding vocals of Warrel Dane. While the music is both well played and well written too, it´s the vocals which make the whole difference. They are the defining element of Sanctuary´s sound, and the feature in the music which makes Sanctuary stand out on the scene. Compared to the dominant use of high pitched vocals on "Refuge Denied (1987)", Dane´s vocals on "Into The Mirror Black" are a bit more varied with use of lower registers too. He still screams and sings in a very high register when that is called for though.

Sanctuary released a promotional video for "Future Tense", which is understandable as that particular track kicks off the album in great heavy power metal style and also is among the highlights of the album. It´s apparent from the get go that the band have stepped up in all departments. Songwriting, musicianship, and production values. There is great bite, aggression, and conviction in the delivery of the music and paired with the relatively powerful sound production the album comes off as a high quality product. The lyrics are also worth reading, dealing with both politics, organized religion, and more personal issues. So "Into The Mirror Black" is all in all a great quality sophomore album by Sanctuary. Sadly it would also be their last album before disbanding in 1992. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.
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