Interview with Sanktuary

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing classic/thrash metal band Sanktuary.

MM-Tell us a little about the history of your band.
-The beginning of the band dates back to 2003 when there was just two of us, myself on drums and Alan on guitar. We Started jamming in grade ten and, well long story short and a few good soldiers later we ended up as the trio now known as Sanktuary. This was in late 2005. We later were joined by our fourth member Glen Emond who helped us siege forth for a year or so but later departed us, leaving us as the hard pounding trio we once were to continue our quest for the metal gods.

MM-Who are your musical influences?
-Well that's a question that can be answered a few ways. We could give the generic bands, you know Metallica, Megadeth, Iron Maiden that kind of thing, and don't get me wrong all those bands are really good and we do blast them in our band van, but I think our main influences come from more underground Canadian metal and underground metal from all over the world. We play music that we would love to listen to and don't type cast ourselves into any particular genre. If we write a slow heavy song that will shake the earth, we'll roll with it, and if it's a riff rippin double kickin bass lickin tune that will tear a house off of its foundation...… well, you guessed right, we'll roll with that too.

MM-Tell us about your recently released EP.
- Well the new EP "Black Magic Brew" is our second EP. It came out in late 2009 with the help of our always trusty and all around great producer Jim Holland. It was a little rushed on our part so the songs probably could be polished up a bit, but Jim did the rabbit in the hat trick and out came a great sounding EP.


MM-Do you have a favorite song off the album? If so then which one and what do you like about it?
- We enjoy all the songs on our EP. More than others obviously. It's hard to say, I think we each have our own favorite song. For myself it's a tie between "Waking The Dead" and "Beasts Of Lore". Beasts Of Lore is allot more fun to play live though.

MM-Obviously you are into old school metal. What is it that you like 80’s style metal?
- We're into metal that has grove, energy, catchy vocals, catchy riffs, lyrics you can understand and just hard hitting in your face metal. Whether it's from the 80's or from the 21st century. If you get chills up and down your spine and the energy to conquer the universe when you listen to it then your good to go. Why do people like Lady Gaga? Still haven't figured that one out. Then again they probably think the same about us metal heads.


MM-What would you say to someone who said that you are not playing anything new, but just copying a style that has already been done?
-I would say it may not be new but it's fucking good music haha. Everyone is copying something these days. Whether its hip-hop and sampling other peoples music, or metal bands having riffs that sound similar to the past. No matter what kind of metal you play your always going to be compared too other bands past or present.

MM-What do you think about today’s metal scene in general?
-It's making a comeback. We just need to keep chipping away at the block.



MM-What could make today’s metal scene better than it is?
- When you turn on your shit box and see real musicians playing real instruments and playing real music. Not that auto tuned, I can't really sing, I just prance around on stage bullshit haha. The metal scene is making a comeback but still has a long journey ahead of itself. It's all about money and unfortunately metal isn't a heavy weight in the music business. The metal scene is great already, you just need to know where to look, and that's the underground metal scene whether it's Canada, USA, Europe, Asia, Middle East or wherever. Great metal is out there so look out.

MM-What is the music scene like in your area?
- We're new to this area so we haven't played to many shows. But just an hour away is Halifax and there's lots going on there. We play most of our shows there and it has been great. Really great bands and really great fans in the city.


MM-Who have you shared a stage with so far?
- We've shared the stage with so many great and talented bands that it would take up the entire page to list them all. We've played with bands that no one has heard of right up to bands like 3 inches of blood. They've all been great, and I think I speak for all of the bands when I say we're happy to play alongside our fellow warriors on the metal quest.

MM-What bands would you love to share a stage with?
- Oh man what a question. There's so many, again probably take up the entire page to list them all. For starters it would have to be some of the up and coming canadian artists such as, Cauldron, Skull Fist, 3 inches of blood and Striker which we have played with but would love to share the stage with again. Obviously we would love to play with some of the other bigger bands that are making an impact but we need to think realistically for now. Maybe in the future.

MM-What are your plans for the near future? Any touring plans?
-We have split EP coming out soon with two other bands, one from Montreal and the other from Halifax. Still in the works so I won't spill the beans. We also have a canadian tour brewing with a band from Halifax called Black Moor, again still in the works so I won't give to much away. Just have to wait for the tour dates. Sorry folks.

MM-Have you begun writing material for a full length album or another EP?
- We're always writing new material whether it's for a single, album or just another EP. But I'll say that we have a shit load of new material cooking up that will blow your socks off so watch out because a full length is on the horizon.

MM-Pick your favorite from each of the following pairs of bands and tell why you picked them.
-Can we just pick them all? Haha.

Raven or Venom
-I'm going to say Raven over Venom. We listen to more Raven and we've actually been listening to a lot more of there old school shit which is really good.

Annihilator or Exciter
- I'll go with Annihilator over Exciter. Love Annihilator.

Megadeth or Metallica
- I think Metallica over Megadeth. This one is always a tough one but Metallica I think takes the cake (older metallica that is). Just faster and more in your face which is what we're all about

Judas Priest or Motorhead
-Last but definitely not least, Judas Priest over Motorhead. Yes I know, I can already hear the hate mail coming haha. We're just more into the Judas Preist style I think.

P.S. All those bands are fucking great and we listen to them all.


MM-Is there anything else that you would like to say about your band, your music or anything else?
- Listen to metal, check out the underground shit, and look out because Sanktuary is on a blood thirsty rampage and we're coming to tear you a new asshole. BEERS and CHEERS to all you metal heads out there.

Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/sanktuaryslays


Review of Black Magic Brew.
http://metalmark.blogspot.com/2011/01/sanktuary.html