Living closer to Philly these days, I’ve become familiar with the Philly music scene. I’ve noticed the scene loves their classic heavy metal, and Corners of Sanctuary are prime examples of this love. These guys will be playing in our neck of the woods at Dingbatz in Clifton on March 23, opening for Janet Gardner from Vixen. I’m not even sure how Corners of Sanctuary even fit on this bill since Vixen was more of a hair band, but I decided to check them out and give them some love anyway.
Forming in 2011, Corners of Sanctuary hail from the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, with a desire to bring back the sounds of classic heavy metal. In 2012, the band released their debut album, Breakout, which was quickly followed-up by Harlequin in 2013 by way of Pure Steel Records out of Germany. Later in 2013, Corners of Sanctuary would release their third record Axe to Grind, which was released by La Mazakuata Records in Mexico, but then re-released by Pure Steel Records in Europe in 2014. The following year, Corners of Sanctuary signed with Metalizer Records from Germany for the release of the fourth full-length album, Metal Machine, which was mastered by Death Dealer guitarist Stu “The Hammer” Marshall. Metal Machine would put Corners of Sanctuary on the map worldwide. Corners of Sanctuary has shared the stage with many notable Metal artists like Saxon, Anvil, Stryper, U.D.O., Butcher Babies, Grim Reaper, Saving Abel, Tim “Ripper” Owens, Tracii Guns, Tantric, Joey Belladonna, Black Lodge, Don Jamieson, Marc Rizzo of Soulfly, Britny Fox, and Bulletboys. In early 2017, the band dropped a new EP called Cut Your Losses and continued to tour supporting their unique brand of metal. Back in May of last year, Corners of Sanctuary released their fifth album, The Galloping Hordes, on Killer Metal Records. The album was mastered by legendary producer Bill Metoyer, who’s known for his work with Slayer, W.A.S.P., Armored Saint, and Fates Warning.
Corners of Sanctuary has spent the last few months in the studio working on album number six, which they hope to have out sometime next year. The band recently made their 2019 debut at Tusk in Philly, but this date also marked the debut of new singer Ryan Michael. Ryan used to sing for the South Jersey band Shattered Skin. I’ve listened to band’s last five records, so I’m curious to hear what Ryan can do with Corners of Sanctuary. Rounding out the band are its original members, guitarist Mick Michaels, bassist James Pera, and drummer Mad T. If you can’t make the show on the 23rd, then check them out online at CornersOfSanctuary.com.
NORTH JERSEY NOTES UPDATES:
So, Dark Sky Choir guitarist Freddy Gorhau has left the band. This news was posted on Fred’s Facebook page, and came weeks after the band’s successful headlining gig at Starland Ballroom. According to Fred’s post, he will no longer be playing with Dark Sky Choir, but the band will be continuing without him. He also said that he enjoyed playing with his band mates, recording two albums and an EP, and touring the country with them. Fred went on to say that his immediate plans are to record the new Wizards of Winter album in April, and then around the holidays, hit the road with the Wizards of Winter, whose dates are filling up quickly already. For more on Fred Gorhau, visit Facebook.com/Fred.Gorhau…. Behind The Bullet just released their new single “Switchblade.” The song is awesome! It’s filled with great guitar riffs, thunderous drums, and Dave Alexander’s powerful vocals, melodies, and screams—a recipe for a killer rock song! I love hearing these guys play and hope my band Rahway can share the stage with them soon. For more info on Behind The Bullet, visit BehindTheBullet.nyc…. And finally, one show not to be missed is Warrant at the Starland Ballroom with Steve Bello on March 22. Also performing are Mikell’s Plot. This should be an amazing show. I hear Warrant has been brining it again with singer Robert Mason. You can hit Steve Bello up for discounted tickets, but if you miss Steve at this show, you can catch him on April 24 at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park with Uli Jon Roth. Steve is calling this his Losing My Marbles Tour to promote his latest album, Marblehead. For more info on Steve Bello, visit SteveBelloRocks.com.
That’s all for now! If your band is from North Jersey, and you want some exposure, send your press kits to Arts Weekly, c/o Tim Louie P.O. Box 1140, Little Falls, NJ 07424, or you can email me at tim@theaquarian.com, where you can also let me know where you’re performing next!
Just remember….We’re all in the same boat, so every little bit of exposure counts!
Tim Louie is the Author of S**t Happens.
NJN Concert Calendar:
3/21—Kore Rozzik/Attempted Revenge—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/22—Mikell’s Plot/Steve Bello/Warrant—Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ
3/22—Borgo Pass/Stryctnyne/Sweet Tooth/My World—The Rail, Smithtown, NY
3/23—Janet Gardner of Vixen/Corners of Sanctuary/Zero—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/24—Rust N Stardust/The Ghost Rodents/Unkle Skunk—Debonair Music Hall, Teaneck, NJ
3/29—Jake E Lee’s Red Dragon Cartel/The Brian Rigby Band/Resurge/Ryder/Blud Red Roses—Debonair Music Hall, Teaneck, NJ
3/29—Another Day Dawns—Game Changer World, Allentown, PA
3/30—Reaper/Mindrazer—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
3/30—Another Day Dawns/Red Sun Rising/Goodbye June—Chameleon Club, Lancaster, PA
3/30—Christine Martucci and the Band of Love—Debonair Music Hall, Teaneck, NJ
4/5—Dog Eat Dog/Robots and Monsters/Ogre/Rest Assured?/Chaotic Realm—Debonair Music Hall, Teaneck, NJ
4/6—SCAM/Honor Among Thieves/Thornes—Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
4/13—Flaw/The Mendenhall Experiment/Black Water Rising/One Day Waiting— Dingbatz, Clifton, NJ
4/14—Flaw/The Mendenhall Experiment/Black Water Rising—Championship Bar, Trenton, NJ
4/24—Steve Bello/Uli Jon Roth—The Wonder Bar, Asbury Park, NJ
4/26—Jersey Campfires Production Presents Newborn KINGS/Barren One/Lunatic Fringe—Roxy and Duke’s Roadhouse, Dunellen, NJ
