Website URL: http://sanctum.coldmeat.se/

MP3s available at: Coldmeat and at Ratblast

Comparable to: Attrition with more additude. Heavier percussion, more aggressive male vocals, and more ethnic influences.

Editor's description: Sanctum is one of those bands that will come around every once in a while and really change or influence a genre of music. These bands do this by blurring the lines, and by incorperating new and innovative sounds to styles that become dry over time.
Darkwave music has always been about innovation, but Sanctum ups the levels by brilliantly weaving gothic female vocals, growling male vocals, sometimes tribal beats with ethnic samples that don't sound sampled at all, and the occasional metal guitar into a soundscape that pulls you in and sets it apart from other groups in the scene.
The first song of theirs i've heard was a tune called "Decay" from the New York City Bluster live cd. The song showcases the harder side of Sanctum. Its driving guitars and growled lyrics backed with sweeping synths made something click in my mind. I decided to check out some more of this powerful band. The second song i had heard was a song titled "Dragonfly" which showcases the beautiful lyrical side of Sanctum along with its lighthearted orchestrated melody, while still maintaining a heavy climax with metallic hammers banging in union with brooding synths. The songs reflect life in general, sometimes beautiful and soft, then things change violently. Everything is dark and very well constructed.
Lyriclly speaking Sanctum has a lot to offer. I urge you to check this group out. They have two releases, New York City Bluster (live) and Lupus in Fabula. Also, Azure Skies is a project of both Sanctum and Mental Destruction.

Reviewer: BlitzKreg

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