- Can you tell us a little bit about the band for those that have never heard of you before?
We are Sanktuary. We play straight up no bullshit heavy metal with plenty of tasty licks and double kicks to satisfy that sonic fix. We like beer. We like hockey. We’re Canadian and damn proud of it.
- How would you describe your musical sound?
We’ve been compared to the sound let out by a dirty butt smoking hobo who’s just been kicked viscously in the testicles by a stiletto wearing street whore. We are oldschool. Plain and simple. We’re not doing anything new or ground breaking, we’re just pumping out solid, bang your head heavy metal.
- What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band explores with the music?
Anything and everything. We write about the downright deranged, evil and witchery, mammoth hunting in the high north, partying and getting fucked up. Whatever crosses our minds at any particular point in time usually goes down on a piece of paper.
- What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
There is none. It’s a lame band name and we know it. How many bands with our name must be out there? Probably a million. But you know what? It’s a part of us now. We’ve been Sanktuary for so long that changing it would be denying ourselves who we are. So hell, why not just embrace it?
- What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and how would you describe your stage performance?
No particular show comes to mind, they are all fuckin’ ridiculous. It’s true what they say, whether playing in front of one or a million you have to take the same approach and just play your heart out. I mean if you’re not having fun up on stage then why play live? Might as well just lock yourself in your basement and jerk off to your guitar. Our stage performance consists of sweat, blood and dirty bottom of the keg beer.
- Do you have any touring plans for the future?
Always plans in the works. We are always trying to go further and play places we’ve never been. We can say we’ve played the majority of Canada with a few exceptions but we haven’t branched out across borders. Hopefully that time will come and with the album coming out I’m sure it will light a fire under all of our asses.
- On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of metal?
It’s been great. Even if it wasn’t, who cares? We are doing this because we love to do it. It’s awesome that others have enjoyed our vision as well. I admit it does help to inspire us to further our development and get new material out to the light of day. But at the end of the day, the only people we really aspire to satisfy is ourselves and you’re your own toughest critic.
- Are there any other musical projects besides this band or is this a full time line up?
This is a full time line-up. It takes up a lot of time and energy to fuel the beast and keep it running. If people outside of the music world were to really see how much goes into the creation of it all I think things would be a little different. As of the past little while actually, a couple of the members along with a fellow northern ally have embarked on a secret journey as the mysterious Space Canoe. I’ve already said too much.
- What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
Your guess would be as good as mine. Who really knows what the future has in store for us. Our music no doubt will evolve as will we. With Glen Emond back in the fold and the all original line-up once again complete, there is no telling what kind of ferocious magik we will be able to conjure up.
- What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
How can this question ever be answered without sounding totally cliche? Or for that matter totally douchy for listing all of the radically obscure underground or vintage bands we are into. We were influenced by pretty much all the bands that every metal head cuts their teeth on. As time passes and people grow, they find their little niche or dark corner. Not to say that we are solely influenced by metal bands alone either. As for listening pleasure, we listen to it all. What we like makes it on for another spin.
- Outside of music what are some of your interests?
Beer. Whiskey. Hockey. Wrastlin’.
- Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?
Watch out for our debut full length “Something Fierce” comin’ at ya July 2 through Spread the Metal Records. We’re gonna be on the road for this one so your just gonna have to keep your eyes open and your ears fully stuffed with toilet paper cause we’re coming for ya. We’re coming fast and we’re coming loud. Because we are heavy metal. We are Sanktuary.
