The band went on tour in tribute to Warrel Dane.
Sanctuary had announced a tour with their Iced Earth colleagues in tribute to the late frontman Warrel Dane, and last Thursday, the 22nd, they played their first show together in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The shows were already scheduled for Sanctuary and Iced Earth to perform with Warrel Dane, and after his death many expected the dates to be canceled, but both groups decided to keep the dates to honor their friend.
To accompany the two groups, Joseph Michael (Witherfall) is filling in for Dane on vocals. Alongside him, Joey Concepcion (Armageddon, The Absence) has been invited to be the second guitarist.
Before the bands went on tour, guitarist Lenny Rutledge released a statement outlining what fans could expect from the shows:
“Sanctuary has decided to tour with Iced Earth to honor our brother Warrel Dane. We enlisted the help of our friend Joseph Michael from Whiterfall. The setlist will feature old and new songs played with the utmost respect and quality to honor our friend. Please join us on this farewell tour where we will celebrate Warrel's musical legacy with Sanctuary. We look forward to meeting you and sharing this tribute with you all.”
Warrel Dane passed away on December 13, 2017, in São Paulo at the age of 56 after suffering a heart attack. The musician was in Brazil finalizing his next solo album, the successor to 2008's Praises To The War Machine
Check out the video of Sanctuary's first performance with Joseph Michael on vocals:
