Refuge Denied

Sanctuary | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 1, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: CBS / Epic
• ASIN: B0000026D0
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #221,214 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Music Audio CD

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars POP MUSIC DENIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, June 12, 2005

By 

IronTail "Alexander" (Hagerstown, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Refuge Denied (Audio CD)

First and foremost, the music on this highly overlooked and rather obscure metal album is MIND BOGGLING...This is Power Metal at its finest.If you are lucky enough to pick up this rare gem the first key element you will notice is the godly vocalist Warrel Dane,now of the thrash metal outfit Nevermore. I personaly haven't listened to any of Nevermore's material, but Dane's range and power on this album is amazing,and take into consideration that it's his actual RANGE and not falsetto-you will be pleased. Next is the incredibly talented guitar playing. Lenny Rutledge and Sean Blosl shred like no one's business.Period.The riffage is HUGE and way ahead of its time. While not too introspective or "deep", the lyirc writing conjures up images of power,war and fantasy, and even the afterlife; but at the same time remains carefree and well written. Simply Amazing.
So why only 4 stars you ask? Musicianship aside, the production on this album leaves a lot to be desired. At first listen one will notice that, no matter how much you turn up the stereo,the volume and sheer TONE of the music is minimal, but these are petty complaints.


So set aside a weekend and give this disc a spin.While doing so wonder where the hell the world was at while these guys were tearing it up...For this disc was released in 1988 but is not hair metal at all, and very little if any compairisons can be drawn to other metal bands now or even then. This material in no way sounds dated. Yeah, its THAT good...

Ultimately, if you are fan of heavy metal or great power rock in general, cough up the 13 bucks or so and give your ears a present. Someone should call EPIC records and request that this disc be remastered because it surely deserves it and you'd be hard pressed to find anything remotely relating to this band on the web or even its former members(i.e. now in Nevermore). Even as I write this I'm uploading the songs to my computer, and its 2005! These guys certainly did things their own way, and boy they did it well...

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Time for the REAL review of this album from the biggest fan!, June 26, 2000

By 

Kenny Newby (Phoenix, AZ - USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Refuge Denied (Audio CD)

No doubt about it.... this is one of the best metal albums of all time!

Battle Angels starts this album right where it needs to be - in the awesome zone! Warrel Dane's vocals will drive a stake right through your heart, while simultaneously soothing your soul. Thanks to the producing by Dave Mustaine (Megadeth) and one of the best solos of his music career on White Rabbit, this band had too much potential to receive what little attention it received.

Battle Angels, Die For My Sins, Sanctuary, White Rabbit, Ascension to Your Destiny & Veil of Disguise are all hair-raising, pulse-pounding tracks that will seriously change the way you look at 90's and Y2K metal. You will ask: "Where did all the good stuff like this go?" Fortunately, you can still have it! Out of the ashes of Sanctuary came Nevermore - a band definitely worth checking out. Their latest release: 'Dreaming Neon Black' will satisfy your innermost craving for Sanctuary-style music, if you don't have access to this album.

I listened to this album so much in the late 80's and early 90's that I went through 4 copies of it, then was unable to purchase it again until a month ago. I have missed this album terribly! And I am VERY happy to have it as part of my TRUE metal collection once again. For all SERIOUS metal fans out there.... THIS ALBUM'S FOR YOU!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars have YOU heard of SANCTUARY before???, May 5, 2005

By 

T. Hardin (seaside,oregon) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Refuge Denied (Audio CD)

wow,where to start...
when this album came out,it was the height of the Thrash metal domination of the Metal scene.i cant recall why i purchased this(cool cover?on sale?)but BOY was i in for a treat!!
Warrell's Rob-Halford-on-helium vocals explode out of your speakers and grab you by the short-hairs!the guitar playing is well-produced,heavy and mid-tempo a'la Priest,but this is no copy-cat act as the riffs keep coming and coming..
in my opinion,their is no filler - every track is catchy and again,with Warrel's shrieking,very emotionally charged.
even the cover of "white Rabbit" works here,faithful to the original but heavy and in line with the rest of the album.
so,if you have never heard this,and "classic" metal is your thing,what are you waiting for??!!???