Century Media Records and legendary US metal act, Sanctuary, have set February 24th as the release date for Inception, the official prequel to 1988’s classic debut, Refuge Denied.

Inception contains presumed lost 1986 studio recordings, which guitarist Lenny Rutledge discovered recently and which were magically restored, remixed and remastered by Zeuss (Queensrÿche, Hatebreed).

“Die For My Sins” from the upcoming release is available for streaming below. Guitarist Lenny Rutledge comments: “’Die for My Sins’ was always one of my favorite Sanctuary songs to play live. On the Inception version we left off the intro and the song starts right into the main riff. I think this version has a real “in your face” edge to it. I’m excited that after much effort we were able to restore these nearly destroyed master tapes. Now we can share the proper audio versions with all of our fans!”

Inception will be available as gatefold LP on 180 gram vinyl and comes with a 12-page LP-sized booklet, poster, and the album on CD as additional extra. Apart from that it will be released as Special Edition CD digipak with a 28-page booklet, and digital album.

Apart from rare photos, flyers, artwork sketches, the booklet also offers detailed liner notes by Lenny Rutledge covering Sanctuary’s early history.

See below for a list of coloured vinyl limitations:

Red vinyl – limited to 100 copies
Gold vinyl - limited to 200 copies
Dark green vinyl - limited to 200 copies
Clear vinyl – limited to 200 copies
Black vinyl – not limited

Pre-order the digital album and get “Die For My Sins (Demo 1986) straight away.

Recorded in March of 1986 (“Soldiers Of Steel”, “Battle Angels”) at Triad Studios in Redmond, Washington and Studio One in White Center between April and July 1986, Inception offers such previously unreleased highlights as “Dream Of The Incubus” and “I Am Insane” as well as several classic Refuge Denied songs allowing you to delve deep into the Seattle legend’s beginnings.

With several festivals already booked for next year, a new album in the works, Inception being released, 2017 shall be the year when past and future of Sanctuary unite. Look forward to the next assault of the soldiers of steel.

Inception tracklisting:

“Dream Of The Incubus”
“Die For My Sins”
“Soldiers Of Steel”
“Death Rider / Third War”
“White Rabbit” (Jefferson Airplane cover)
“Ascension To Destiny”
“Battle Angels”
“I Am Insane”
“Veil Of Disguise”

Trailer:

Sanctuary live:

June
15-17 - St. Goarshausen, Germany - Rockfels, Loreley
16-18 - Clisson, France - Hellfest

July
12 - Balingen, Germany - Bang Your Head!!!, Messegelände
14-15 - Gavle, Sweden - Gefle Metal Festival
24-28 - Tolmin, Slovenia - Metaldays
27-29 - Brande-Hoernerkirchen, Germany - Headbangers Open Air