Los Angeles based Sanctus, featuring Jason McCrarey-lead vocals, Royce Hsu-lead guitars, Mike O'Meara-lead guitars, Brent Gibson-bass guitars, Adrian Ross-keyboards, and Michael Chi-drums and vocals, made their first foray onto the extreme metal scene in early 1998, under the name, Pantheon. This group, spawned by original members McCrarey, Hsu, and Chi, released a self-titled demo, which received favorable press from magazines such as Metal Maniacs and Ill Literature. After securing a contract from Metal Blade Records in the summer of 1998, the group changed their name to Sanctus and recruited new members in Gibson and Ross. This new five-piece group spent the next year writing and rehearsing for their debut album, and playing the occasional live show in the Southern California region.
After intense preparation, Sanctus headed into North Hollywood's Frankie's Hideaway Studios in October of 1999 to begin laying down tracks for what would eventually become the group?s first effort, Aeon Sky. Overseen by producer/engineer Dave Casey, and recorded partially in Mr. Greenshoes Studios, Aeon Sky features new cuts from the team of McCrarey, Hsu, Gibson, Ross, and Chi such as "Empyreal," "Tired of the Pain," and "Odyssey," plus reworked versions of Pantheon tracks "If We Fall'" and "Thy Desolation." Each song features the scathing guitar lines of McCrarey and Hsu, the crushing bottom end of Gibson's bass, the epic brilliance of Ross's keyboards, the pummeling drum work of Chi, and the mangled vocal lacerations of McCrarey and Chi.Corralled by Dave Casey's punishing, yet crystal-clear production, Aeon Sky is a collision of musical elements both assaulting and textured. The album features the black and death metal-esque vocal styling commonly linked with the genre, along with some more experimental clean and traditional vocal endeavors, one track even featuring a female soprano in classically trained guest vocalist, Sarah Watson.In January 2000, Sanctus welcomed a new member into the fold in lead guitarist, Mike O'Meara. O'Meara's addition allows McCrarey to put down his guitar and fully concentrate on lead vocal duties. The now six-piece outfit (the most fully stabilized and finalized Sanctus to date) is currently back in weekly rehearsals, preparing for upcoming live performances and future recording endeavors.
Sanctus - Aeon
Sky
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