German/Dutch progressive metallers SACROSANCT, founded by former PESTILENCE guitarist Randy Meinhard, will release their fourth album, "Necropolis", on November 30 via ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records. The disc was engineered, mixed and mastered by Max Morton of Morton Studios, who has also remastered the entire SACROSANCT back catalog. A prolific professional with a broad clientele, Max has worked with a wide variety of acts, including prominent Ukranian metalcore combo JINJER. The objective with "Necropolis" was to record a classic, analog-sounding album using modern technologies, and at the same time avoid any modern metal clichés. The epic cover art for "Necropolis" was designed by Giannis Nakos based on the band's ideas, and perfectly portrays the album's dark subject matter. It prominently features SACROSANCT's new mascot, the Weeping Angel — a guardian and an avenger of injustice. "Necropolis" track listing: 01. The New Age Of Fear 02. My Last White Light 03. The Grim Sleeper 04. Only One God 05. Melancholy 06. Clouds Obscured The Sun 07. NecroPolice 08. The Pain Still Lasts While "Necropolis" bears all of the hallmarks and intricacies that characterize SACROSANCT, it displays a more mature and focused songwriting approach. Songs like "The New Age Of Fear", "My Last White Light" and "Only One God" are lyrically thought-provoking, creating a brand of metal that still makes the band hard to categorize. Like its predecessor, "Tragic Intense", which was released in 1993, "Necropolis" places a strong emphasis on melancholy melodies and clean vocals, but also incorporates many harmony guitar parts, faster tempos and some modern twists that mark the beginning of a new chapter for the band. SACROSANCT will celebrate the release of "Necropolis" with a special party at Hypothalamus in Rheine, Germany, on Friday, November 30. SACROSANCT is: Richard F. Hesselink - vocals Randy Meinhard (ex-PESTILENCE) - guitars Christian Göwert - guitars Kees Harrison (ex-SPHERE OF SOULS) - bass Jonas Schütz - drums SACROSANCT was formed in 1988 by guitarist Randy Meinhard and drummer Marco Foddis, who had learned to know each either while joining PESTILENCE. In 1990, SACROSANCT released its debut album, "Truth Is - What Is". The album is characterized by technically sophisticated thrash metal. The dual guitars create a straight as well as spherical and melodious tapestry of sound, interrupted by the tight drumming and the moaning, but angry and rude voice. Creative band head Randy Meinhard considered guitar duos of bands like QUEENSRŸCHE, EXODUS and IRON MAIDEN as a main influence, and Ace Frehley of KISS as initial spark. SACROSANCT released its second album, "Recesses For The Depraved", in 1991. With a more edgy sound it was little melodious and spheric than the debut. For the album cover, SACROSANCT even managed to secure the rights for H.R. Giger's picture "Das Spiegelbild". When Giger died, 23 years later, Rolling Stone magazine stated "the disturbing Giger cover art accurately conveyed the savage nature of the music." The third album, "Tragic Intense", was even more melodious and spherical than the debut. On the other hand, staccato parts are rarely on it. In an interview for the music mag Iron Pages, Randy Meinhard stated in 1993 that the dark basic mood is what we intended to do. It just should sound sinister. In that issue Markus Wosgien (Nuclear Blast) described the album as a mixture of thrash, doom and power metal, and classified it as a milestone in this genre.
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