Joseph Michael (Witherfall, Sanctuary) Van Williams (ex-Nevermore, Ghost Ship Octavius) Joey Concepcion (Sanctuary, ex-Armageddon, Jasta) Anthony Crawford (Witherfall, Chon, ex Alan Holdsworth) Alex Nasla (Witherfall) Will Wallner (White Wizzard)
“Produced, Engineered, Mixed and Mastered by Alex Nasla at Harmony Studios West Hollywood, CA”
Today i learned that one of my oldest and dearest friends passed away from cancer. Paul was one a kind. Some how managing to be both curmudgeon yet good spirited at the same time. Paul was one of the first people i met when i came back to Los Angeles in the mid 2000's we played in a few ridiculous cover bands. In 2007 he joined my psuedo-goth prog band Midnight Reign...
I'm most proud of this song We wrote together while working on his 2nd Solo CD... His solo is really special on this one.
Anyone that knows me, knows that i have little time for friends and zero time for acquaintances... I can count on my left hand my great friends... Paul was one of them. I love and will miss him. Travel on...
Paul is survived by his wife and co-curmudgeon Teresa Sternquist. Per his wishes she will have him cremated. If you'd like to contribute the Cancer fund is still up and taking donations to pay for this final expense.
It's that time of year again! While waiting on Jake, Joseph and the gang are hard at work writing the next album pickup our limited edition Winter Package. For a limited time take 25% off your order with code BLACK FRIDAY (enter at checkout) Ends Sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Like some larger bands (Ghost pictured) we do not have ads in Billboard mag or other trades. Just the support of fans, professionals and the appreciation from #musicians of complex and left of center musical ambition.
PS: Witherfall have officially begun the Pr-Production/Arranging stages of our next record. As you may well know a lot of #PinotNoir and #BelvedereVodka gets consumed during these times. To fund our bad habits we are having a special sale: Share this post and go to:
Hey everyone! We have some cool stuff today. Our good friend Glenn Fricker is helping us raffle off a signed Jackson Guitar that was used on the latest EP "Vintage". The guitar is signed by Joseph Michael, Jake Dreyer, Anthony Crawford, Alex Nasla and Special guest Bruno Valverde (Angra)!
To Sign up just click here and follow instructions to enter:
Sanctuary playing Refuge Denied in full at Headbangers Open Air. Vocals - Joseph Michael Guitar - Lenny Rutledge Guitar - Joey Concepcion Drums - Dave Budbil Bass - George Hernandez
Joseph Michael (Witherfall,Sanctuary) Van Williams (ex-Nevermore, Ghost Ship Octavious), Anthony Crawford (Witherfall, Chon), Joey Concepcion (Sanctuary, Jasta), Alex Nasla (Witherfall) and Will Wallner (White Wizzard) have collaborated on an epic recreation of the Savatage Song "Chance". The Song includes all of the Vocal insanity of the original and more. The song is set for a digital release July 18th, 2019.
Right now Joseph Michael is out with SANCTUARY performing it's 1988 debut album, "Refuge Denied", in its entirety on the band's upcoming North American tour. The trek will kick off on July 11 in Atlanta and conclude on August 17 in Seattle. Support on the tour will come from GHOST SHIP OCTAVIUS, the band featuring former NEVERMORE drummer Van Williams.
"It is with great pleasure that we can finally announce that SANCTUARY are officially continuing on," the group said in a statement.
"This small string of U.S. dates will serve as the starting point of many more things to come. "To celebrate the deep history of the band and the connection the fans have with us, we will perform 'Refuge Denied' in its entirety, along with other popular songs. Along for this journey, GHOST SHIP OCTAVIUS will be joining us. "2019 will be an exciting year." Tour dates:
Jul. 11 - Atlanta, GA - Basement Jul. 12 - Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506 Jul. 13 - Frederick, MD - Cafe 611 Jul. 14 - Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus Bar Jul. 16 - Somerville, MA - Once Ballroom Jul. 17 - Pittsburgh, PA - Crafthouse Jul. 18 - Cincinnati, OH - North Side Yacht Club Jul. 19 - Indianapolis, IN - Black Circle Brewery Jul. 20 - Detroit, MI - Sanctuary Jul. 21 - Chicago, IL - Reggies Jul. 27 - HOA Germany Aug. 09 - Alcatraz Festival Aug. 16 - Portland, OR - Bossanova Ballroom Aug. 17 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon Sept. 04 - Atlanta, GA ProgPower USA
So, the new Sanctuary album is coming together. We are in rehearsals for our East Coast tour and some festival dates in Europe as well. Here is the artwork that is featured on a T-Shirt at http://www.SanctuaryOfficial.com
The artwork features Lyrics to the new Sanctuary song "Not Of The Living" Details coming soon...
SANCTUARY – return to Europe for special festival shows and discuss future plans in new video
On December 13th, 2017, Warrel Dane, the legendary lead singer of Sanctuary and Nevermore passed away while recording his posthumously released studio album “Shadow Work”. At that time, Sanctuary had already confirmed and announced a US tour supporting Iced Earth in February/March 2018 and while shocked by Warrel Dane’s passing, decided to turn it into a tribute to his legacy with exceptionally talented Witherfall vocalist Joseph Michael. Performing tracks from 1988’s “Refuge Denied”, 1990’s “Into the Mirror Black” and 2014’s “The Year the Sun Died”, Joseph Michael delivered a stunning performance and received very positive feedback from the fans attending the shows. Remaining founding members Lenny Rutledge (guitars) and Dave Budbill (drums) ultimately made the decision to continue with Sanctuary and new singer Joseph Michael not only as a live act, but also compose and record a new album, which is currently expected to surface in 2020.
Now, the band has confirmed two European festival shows this summer and will tour North America in July performing the entire “Refuge Denied” album as Lenny Rutledge explains:
“Sanctuary are looking forward to playing two special festival shows in Europe this summer in addition to our commemorative “Refuge Denied” dates in the US where we will perform our classic debut album in full. If you’re an old school Sanctuary fan or a fan of classic metal, you don’t what to miss this run of dates! Joseph Michael (Witherfall) is the new singer of Sanctuary and we will be playing songs from all 3 albums but focusing on the earlier material. Come check out the return of Sanctuary!”
Lenny Rutledge and Joseph Michael reveal more about Sanctuary’s future in this new video:
While the new album is still months away, Sanctuary will continue to perform live as Joseph Michael enables the group to do intense old school sets including the soaring vocals and high screams, fans know and love on albums such as “Refuge Denied” and “Into the Mirror Black”. Sometimes, great triumph comes from great tragedy, and this sounds true in regards to Sanctuary!
SANCTUARY live 2019
2019 North American tour - Performing all of “Refuge Denied”!
It is with great pleasure that we can finally announce that Sanctuary are officially continuing on. This small string of US dates will serve as the starting point of many more things to come. To celebrate the deep history of the band and the connection the fans have with us, we will perform Refuge Denied in its entirety, along with other popular songs. Along for this journey, Ghost Ship Octavius (Van Williams former Nevermore) will be joining us. 2019 will be an exciting year.
Get Yours now!
Sanctuary Lineup: