Something is improving at de Boerderij. The last years they focussed mainly on cover and tribute bands, next to their traditional prog rock and classic rock bookings. This year there is an upgrade in metal and I like it. So it could happen that Sanctuary played at de Boerderij, while later this year Flotsam & Jetsam, Evergrey and Armored Saint shall follow. Now only their name should spread among metalheads as I was surprised that Hardline attracted twice as many people two weeks ago. Well it still was a nice evening of metal for the older generation and lots (as in really many) of familiar faces walking around.
Opening band on this tour are Martyr. A very nice fitting match and making this evening a double party really. Even more of a pity that Vinnie had to bow out due to an urgent knee surgery. So this was the first time seeing a bassless Martyr and they pulled it of nicely. Martyr is one of those bands you see every year playing somewhere in the country. For me this was the first time after the release of 2025's rather excellent Dark Believer. Sounding very much eighties metal with quite a few traces of Queensryche of that time. Some improvisations were needed without bass. but it was a strong set by them. When the monks hit the stage it turned out that Koen and Kevin never moved around that elastic and energetic, until I saw them in the hall looking at the stage. Well the reaper came on stage during Legions of the Cross and it all ended well.
I don't recall seeing Sanctuary live in the late eighties or early nineties. With Refuge Denied and Into the Mirror Black they released two absolute classics of the era. Similar to bands like Crimson Glory, Toxik and Annihilator I totally love the first two albums, but consider the second one even a notch better. Tonight's setlist was build around the two albums and at the end some The Year the Sun Died thrown in. It did not take long to realize we were in for an absolute killer tonight with the band on fire and Joseph Michael showing after an earlier passage with Witherfall , that he also can deliver when following up on the legend Warrel Dane. It all sounded so impressive, that the most often heard comment afterwards was "even better than what I expected". This style of US Metal with thrashy and proggy leanings for me would be very welcome at ProgPower. Looking at the low number of PPE regulars present (apart from the usual suspects) I guess we won't see that happening anytime soon. Well Sanctuary brought me another highlight of gig year 2026 and I can leave for Brazil more at ease. Knowing I shall miss a long list of great shows in May and June I did get to see Sanctuary presenting their songs about death until it was Long Since Dark.
