SANKTUARY — Something Fierce (review)

SANKTUARY — Something Fierce album cover Album · 2012 · Power Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Time Signature
Deadly prey...

Genre: trad metal / speed metal / thrash metal

Canadian metal outfit Sanktuary are labeled a power-thrash band, which is not an entirely unfitting classification, but, as their debut album "Something Fierce" reflects, there is more to their music than just power-thrash. In fact, they draw on a number of influences from various more traditional type of metal.

The main forte of the album is Sanktuary's use of simple, and catchy, guitar melodies accompanied by galloping guitars and a driving bass. If this sounds more like a description of traditional heavy metal than power metal or thrash metal, then it is because there are actually is a considerable influence from NWoBHM on the album - just check out tracks like 'Heat Lightning', 'Hail the Villain', and 'Midnite Mass'. Such elements appear side-by-side with fierce thrashers like 'Thrill of the Kill' which combines old school thrash riffage with speed metal tempos (and even contains some blastbeats to boot). More in the vein of early speed/power metal, 'Screeching for Vengeance' is a nice and simple and uptempo barrage of chucking guitars and rumbling double bass drums. There's a touch of early Artillery in the breakneck 'Fire in the Sky' which also contains references to Teutonic thrash and, drawing on NYC hardcore/crossover also features riot backing vocals. The listener is also treated to the mellos semi-acoustic instrumental 'Beyond the Wall'.

Drawing on elements from traditional metal and early thrash-, speed-, and power metal, Sanktuary's music is quite melodic and considerably easy to listen to and take in. There are plenty of all out rock 'n' metal guitar histrionic, and the mildly Geddy Lee-ish vocals actually fit nicely into the picture. The production is not polished at all, but has an organic feel to it, which I am sure many people will like.

Capturing the best of thrash as it was in its nascent era, Sanktuary's "Something Fierce" should appeal to fans of thrash, speed, and traditional metal alike.
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Metal Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

Hin helga kvöl Atmospheric Sludge Metal
SÓLSTAFIR
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Cycles of Suffering Black Metal
BURIAL OATH
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Suns of Perdition - Chapter IV: To Shadow Zion Black Metal
PANZERFAUST
Buy this album from MMA partners
Facilis Descensus Averno Death Metal
SAEVUS FINIS
Buy this album from MMA partners
Merciless Crossover Thrash
BODY COUNT
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

DAWN OF REVENGE - Sanctuary [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Farewell [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Curtain of Death - [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - Vengeance [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
DAWN OF REVENGE - I Need You [official music video]
DAWN OF REVENGE
Bosh66· 5 days ago
More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed