About Me
"A gleeful barrage of charred necro filth" - Metal Hammer
"The perfect antidote to spineless coattail riders everywhere" - Kerrang
"These young scamps give old hands a run for their money" - Terrorizer
"The rawness of early Mayhem and the brutality of early Deicide" - Rocksound
Formed during the latter fall of 2001 by Tom (Vocals) and Paul (Guitars), a few songs were written and recorded, most of which never saw the light of day. In the coming months, however, following a few minor changes, Sean (Drums) and David (Bass) completed the Unsanctum line-up. One of the first live shows was in support of Belgian metalcore act xReprisalx (Goodlife records). On an extreme budget, the first material was a four track demo, recorded by Mick Kenney (Anaal Nathrakh, Mistress, Frost) on the 31st of December 2001 at Necrodeath studio's in Birmingham, which eventually saw daylight in late January 2002. The four tracks (in all clocking 10 minutes 37 seconds) pointed out the future musical direction of Unsanctum and also gained the band positive reviews and the necessary exposure. After copious amounts of promotional material, Unsanctum signed with Cacophonous/Visible Noise records in July 2002. On December 7th 2002 at Necrodeath studio's in Birmingham with producer Mick Kenney, Unsanctum began the recording of 11 tracks for their debut album to be released on Cacophonous/Visible Noise records in early 2003.
"Ignite the skies" was remixed and remastered 3 times. The initial recording was considered so substandard that both the guitar and bass tracks were rerecorded at Bonafide Studio's in London during February 2003. This is not to say that the album wasn't everything we had hoped for, but simply, due to the amount of time wasted and damage done in the early stages of production, we were so far behind schedule, that unfortunately, perfection was not an option. In April 2003, Unsanctum accepted an endorsement from Bc Rich guitars. "Ignite the skies" was released on the 23rd of June 2003 through Cacophonous records and distributed by Pinnacle worldwide. Amongst other feedback, it recieved a KKKK rating in Kerrang and an 8/10 rating in Metal Hammer. In July 2003, Unsanctum accepted an endorsement from Jagermeister. In August 2003, Unsanctum set off on their second UK tour with Burning Skies (Lifeforce records), playing 12 consecutive shows around the UK, receiving a 4/5 live review in Kerrang and an 8/10 live review in Metal Hammer. On Halloween 2003, Unsanctum performed a live soundtrack to the silent classic "The Cabinet Of Dr Caligari" to a sold out audience at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. Following a number of high profile shows, Unsanctum completed a third UK tour with Walls Of Jericho (Trustkill records) in November 2003.
In early 2004, Unsanctum were voted the third Best Newcomer of 2003 by Terrorizer magazine. A new logo was designed by Christophe Szpajdel (Emperor). Unsanctum had taken over 4 years of our lives, we were broke, burnt out and the time had come for a rest. Work began on the second album in early 2004. Words can't express how grateful we are to the people who turned up at our shows, gave us a place to crash and helped to realise our dream.
The close of 2005 saw an overwhelming response to a limited press three track demo titled "Adamantium Rage", the first new Unsanctum recording in over 2 years. In February 2006, David (Bass) decided to leave the band, he was the first and only member to leave the band since the band confirmed their original line-up in 2001, and was replaced by Chris (Vultures, Atlas) shortly after. In March 2007, after 3 years in the making, work finally ceased on the follow-up to "Ignite the skies". The bands second full length, to be titled "Ritual killing", marked their return to the UK metal scene. Harder, faster and a hell of a lot more pissed off, the bands song writing ability had matured significantly, displaying a harsher, thrash orientated sound. Mike Pilat joined the band as a second guitarist in December 2006.
Unsanctum were raised on classic metal bands who spent time writing their material and so, finishing the album any earlier at the expense of the music simply wasn't an option.
Unfortunately, Mike (Guitar), Sean (Drums) and Chris (Bass) opted to leave the band in late 2007 scrapping any hopes of promoting the new album. Mike is currently on tour with The Ocean and the band wish him the best of luck. Having spent 7 years together, the remaining members reached an all time low and even considered calling it quits.
In early 2008, out of the blue, three local musicians stepped up to the challenge and joined the ranks. Ironically, bearing a resemblance to the band in 2001, new members - Randy (Guitar), Jay (Drums) and Alex (Bass) - are all friends and all 18. Within a few months, the band was given a whole new lease, sounding bigger and better than ever before. Having commenced work on a 3rd album, titled "Throne to the wolves", we have the line-up we've hoped for since day one.
The band return to an evolved scene, flooded with generic bands, who spend more time looking in the mirror than on their music, standards have slipped, time to raise the bar.
To be continued....
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