Label: Epic
Year: 1988

Tracklist:
1. Battle Angels
2. Termination Force
3. Die For My Sins
4. Soldiers Of Steel
5. Sanctuary
6. White Rabbit
7. Ascension To Destiny
8. The Third War
9. Veil Of Disguise
 
Sanctuary was the precursor to Nevermore. With Warrel Dane (vocals) and Jim Sheppard (bass) going on to form Nevermore along with Jeff Loomis who came into Sanctuary during the last days of the band.
 
The majority of mainstream metal mags of that time roundly criticized "Refuge Denied" when it came out in 1988. The charges laid at the feet of the band were of being unoriginal and Dane's high pitched wails on this album were roundly panned by most metal mags of the day.
 
I for one love this album and this band. Sanctuary played uncompromising heavy metal. Not power metal, thrash metal or speed metal but simple no frills HEAVY METAL. Dane's vocals are without doubt the strongest aspect of this album.
 
Every song on this album screams out the fact that this is what heavy metal is all about. Sanctuary delivered a great debut album with "Refuge Denied." It would be pointless to go into a song by song critique because every song on this album is a killer. The band takes its musical inspiration mostly from Judas Priest, and while other weaker bands would be derided for copying the masters, Sanctuary bring in their own unique touch with the vocals of Warrel Dane. His high pitched screaming vocals are what makes this album. You'll love it or hate it. There is no middle ground with Dane's vocals on this debut.  "Battle Angels", "Soldiers Of Steel" and "The Third War" are my personal favorites.
 
Dave Mustaine holds production honors on this album and he did a fair bit towards promoting Sanctuary when this album was released including a support slot on a Megadeth tour. He also plays one of the greatest lead guitar parts in all of heavy metal on their cover of the Jefferson Airplane classic "White Rabbit" with its full-blown drug imagery and a superb vocal performance by Warrel Dane.
 
This is the kind of heavy metal that makes you want to grab a few beers and rock out like a motherfucker!