SANCTUARY Announce Farewell Tour With WITHERFALL’s Joseph Michael on Vocals
SANCTUARY, are granting fans that which the late, great Warrel Dane was tragically unable to provide: a proper farewell. The band was already scheduled to play support for ICED EARTH starting in late February. And while one might have assumed they’d drop off the trek following Dane’s unexpected death last month, they’ve announced that they’re still going to participate, with WITHERFALL frontman Joseph Michael filling in on vocals. We expect these shows to be emotion-packed.
Warrel Dane was best known for his work with NEVERMORE, having founded the band with Jeff Loomis, Jim Sheppard and Mark Arrington in 1992. His wide vocal range quickly made him a favorite in metal circles, as did his work with SANCTUARY, which Dane founded in 1985. The singer released his debut solo album, Praises to the War Machine, in 2008 and was working on his sophomore solo effort in São Paulo, Brazil at the time of his death.
Sanctuary guitarist Lenny Rutledge explains that the tour will be both a farewell and a tribute to Dane: “Sanctuary has decided to continue on with the Iced Earth tour to pay tribute to our brother Warrel Dane. We have enlisted the help of our friend Joseph Michael from Witherfall. The set will consist of many old and some newer songs performed with the utmost respect and quality to honor our friend. Please join us in this farewell as we celebrate Warrel’s musical legacy with Sanctuary. We look forward to sharing this tribute with all of you.”
Adds Joseph Michael: “Ok guys, I have been really quiet about this and for good reason, but Sanctuary has bestowed upon me the honor of singing with them on a farewell tribute to the inimitable Warrel Dane (RIP). I hope to see you out there to share in this celebration of a true original and to sing along to some great songs.”
The full run of dates can be see below. It’s technically an ICED EARTH headlining tour, with further support from KILL RITUAL, therefore the now presence of SANCTUARY adds a great and meaningful bonus.
2/22 Indianapolis, IN – Deluxe
2/23 CIncinnati, OH – Bogarts
2/24 Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom
2/25 Milwaukee, WI – Turner Ballroom
2/26 Minneapolis, MN – Music Hall
2/27 Omaha, NE – Sokol Underground
2/28 Denver, CO – Summit Music Hall
3/2 Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room
3/3 Calgary, AB – Marquee Beer Market & Stage
3/4 Vancouver, BC – Rickshaw Theater
3/5 Seattle, WA – El Corazon
3/7 Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
3/8 Los Angeles, CA – Belasco Theater
3/9 San Diego, CA – House of Blues
3/10 Anaheim, CA – Parish @ House of Blues
3/11 Phoenix, AZ – The Pressroom
3/13 San Antonio, TX – Aztec Theatre
3/14 Dallas, TX – House of Blues
3/15 Houston, TX – House of Blues
3/16 New Orleans, LA – Parish @ House of Blues
3/17 Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
3/18 Charlotte, NC – Underground
3/19 Baltimore, MD – Baltimore Soundstage
3/21 Wilmington, DE – The Queen
3/22 New York, NY – Gramercy Theatre
3/23 Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
3/24 Quebec City, QC – Imperial Bell
3/25 Montreal, QC – Corona Theater
3/26 Toronto, ON – Phoenix Theater
3/27 Cleveland, OH – Cambridge Room @ House of Blues
3/28 Detroit, MI – St. Andrew’s Hall
3/29 Chicago, IL – Bottom Lounge
