Kategorie: CD-Reviews | Genre: Metal | Heft: Jahrgang 2014, eclipsed Nr. 164 / 10-2014 | VÖ-Jahr: 2014 | Wertung: 8/10 | Label: Century Media | Autor: MB
Which band delivered albums after a reunion that were better than their classics before? The framework should be relatively manageable (suggestions please by letter to the editor). And so, when it comes to expectations, "The Year The Sun Died" is more reserved at first. Because with Refuge Denied (1988) and "Into The Mirror Black" (1990) finally two absolute metal milestones were achieved by the band from Seattle. Fact is: "The Year The Sun Died" (of the original line-up only guitarist Sean Blosl isn't part of it anymore) doesn't come close to the almost crazy atmosphere of the two early works. And the fact that singer Warrel Dane can no longer unpack the very high vocal passages is no longer a big surprise. So let's be positive: Sanctuary in 2014 sound absolutely potent, contemporary, gloomy, highly melodic and heavy, like a mixture of straight Nevermore (founded as Sanctuary's successor after legal disputes in 1992) and the great Warrel Dane solo album "Praises To The Warmachine" (2008). That's all you could expect.
Top track: Exitium (Anthem Of The Living)