SANCTUARY - REFUGE DENIED 12" Vinyl LP Album

- Dave Mustaine Guitars on the song "White Rabbit"

"Sanctuary: Refuge Denied" marks the debut of the band on its 12" Vinyl LP Album, a significant chapter in their musical journey. Released under the watchful production eye of David Mustaine from Megadeth, this album introduces Warrel Dane's distinctive and exceptionally high-pitched vocals. "Refuge Denied" stands as a unique fusion of vocal artistry and Mustaine's production prowess, representing a moment in time when Sanctuary's musical narrative first echoed through the metal realm.

 

SANCTUARY - Refuge Denied Dave Mustaine 12" Vinyl LP Album front cover https://vinyl-records.nl

"Refuge Denied," Album Description:

Sanctuary's debut album, "Refuge Denied," was released in 1987 on Epic Records. The album was produced by Dave Mustaine, the founder and lead guitarist of the thrash metal band Megadeth. The album features a unique blend of heavy metal and power metal, with soaring vocals and intricate guitar riffs.

"Refuge Denied" features nine tracks, including the singles "Battle Angels" and "Die for My Sins". The album showcases the powerful vocals of frontman Warrel Dane, who was known for his ability to hit high notes and sing in a range of styles. The album also features the guitar talents of Lenny Rutledge and Sean Blosl, who provide intricate and melodic riffs.

The lyrics on "Refuge Denied" deal with a range of topics, including war, religion, and politics. The track "Soldiers of Steel" is a tribute to the soldiers who fought in World War II, with lyrics such as "Their lives were taken / So we could live free / We owe them more than we could ever pay". The track "Future Tense" deals with the topic of nuclear war, with lyrics such as "As we march closer and closer to the end / The fear inside of us grows".

Dave Mustaine did in fact perform on the Sanctuary track "White Rabbit" from the album "Refuge Denied". He played guitar on the song, and his presence on the album helped to attract attention to the band and the album. Mustaine's involvement with Sanctuary was a testament to his reputation as a talented musician and producer in the metal community, and his contributions to the album helped to shape its sound and style.

"Refuge Denied" has become a classic of the power metal genre and has been praised by fans and critics alike. The album's unique blend of heavy metal and power metal, combined with Dane's powerful vocals and Mustaine's production skills, have cemented its place in the history of metal. The album also helped to launch the careers of Rutledge and Blosl, who went on to form the band Nevermore.

The track "White Rabbit" is a cover version of a Jefferson Airplane song and Dave Mustaine performed the guitar solo on it.

White Rabbit Covered by Sanctuary:

Music Genre:

Heavy Metal

Album Production Information:

The album: "Refuge Denied" was produced by: Megadeth vocalist and guitarist, Dave Mustaine.

  • Dave Mustaine – Vocals, Guitars

    Thrash metal’s original grudge match: one guy, one guitar, and enough spite to power Los Angeles for decades.

    Dave Mustaine is the razor-edged singer-guitarist who turned getting fired into a lifelong fuel source. To my ears, the story starts in Panic (late 1970s–1981), where those early riffs already sounded like trouble with a pick. From 1981–1983 he was Metallica’s original lead guitarist and co-writer, shaping key early songs before his April 11, 1983 dismissal. Back in Los Angeles he formed Megadeth in 1983 and has fronted it ever since, steering speed, spite, and precision through decades. Side quests like MD.45 (1996) just prove the volume never really drops.

    Dave Mustaine Wiki

    • Don Grierson - Executive Producer

    Mike Amstadt - Sound Engineer (assistent)

    Paul Lani - Producer , Sound Mix

    Terry Date - Sound Engineer,

    Terry Date is a renowned American music producer and sound engineer known for shaping the sonic identity of heavy metal and rock. His work with Pantera, Soundgarden, Deftones, and White Zombie set new production standards, blending crushing heaviness with clarity. His influential career spans decades, leaving a lasting impact on modern metal. Read more .

    Ed Repka - Cover Art

  • Ed Repka – Graphic Artist & Album Cover Illustrator

    He turned Cold War paranoia and death-metal gore into bright, rotten pop art.

    Ed Repka is the American graphic artist who gave thrash and early death metal its lurid, comic-book bite. I remember seeing his work hit the racks with Megadeth’s Vic Rattlehead—"Peace Sells... but Who's Buying?" (1986) and the colder, geopolitics-soaked "Rust in Peace" (1990). In between, he painted Death’s first three nightmares: "Scream Bloody Gore" (1987), "Leprosy" (1988), and "Spiritual Healing" (1990). He also lit up Nuclear Assault and Possessed in 1986, then kept the torch burning on shirts and posters for decades. He draws like Mad magazine with a switchblade: bright color, nasty detail, and a punchline that still hurts. Every corner is packed with little jokes and rot.

    Ed Repka Wiki

    • Lynn DeBon - Photography

    Record Label & Catalognr:

    EPIC EPC 460811

    Album Packaging:

    This album "Refuge Denied" includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by Sanctuary

    Media Format:

    12" Vinyl Stereo Full-Length Long-Play  Gramophone Record
    Total Album (Cover+LP) weight: 230 gram  

    Year & Country:

    1987 Made in Holland

    Band Members and Musicians on: Sanctuary Refuge Denied
      Band-members, Musicians and Performers
    • Warrel Dane - vocals
    • Lenny Rutledge - guitar
    • Sean Blosl - guitar
    • Jim Sheppard - bass
    • Dave Budbill - drums
    • Dave Mustaine - guitar solo on "White Rabbit", backing vocals
    The Songs/tracks on "Refuge Denied" are :
    SANCTUARY - Into The Mirror Black 12" Vinyl LP
    SANCTUARY - Into The Mirror Black album front cover vinyl record

    "Into the Mirror Black" embraces a sound that merges elements of traditional heavy metal with progressive composition. The guitar work of Lenny Rutledge and Sean Blosl is intricate and layered, weaving complex riffs and melodic leads.

    Learn more
    SANCTUARY - Refuge Denied 12" Vinyl LP
    SANCTUARY - Refuge Denied album front cover vinyl record

    "Refuge Denied" features nine tracks, including the singles "Battle Angels" and "Die for My Sins". The album showcases the powerful vocals of frontman Warrel Dane, who was known for his ability to hit high notes and sing

    Learn more