Sanctimony was formed in 1994 by Viesturs Grīnbergs (guitars), Rihards Skudrītis (bass guitar), Jānis Boļšaks (keyboards) and Kārlis Jakubonis (drums). In order to start playing live as quickly as possible, the band's first setlists were made up of cover versions of world renowned death metal bands. Meanwhile, the band began writing their own material. Soon enough, Sanctimony played their first show at one of Riga's suburban schools. At this point, the band didn't have a lead singer, and Juris 'Yoric' Ruško, singer in a well-known Latvian death metal band Dies Irae, was kind enough to lend his voice to that particular show. Soon after their live debut, Sanctimony received several offers to perform at various venues and festivals in Riga. Already in a week, the band had booked their next show. This time, 'Yoric' couldn't join the band on stage, so they decided to hand over the lead singing duties to then-keyboardist Jānis Boļšaks. The show was a success and Jānis has been the lead singer in the band ever since.
All the while, the band was crafting their own songs; in the Summer of 1995, Sanctimony recorded their first song "Eternal Suffering" together with guitar player and engineer Jānis Levits at "Metal Attack" studios, both legendary in the Latvian heavy metal scene. In 1996, Rihards drops out of the band due to his decision to join fellow metallers "Skyforger". The band is joined in turn by Roberts Narunovskis (guitar) and Viktors 'Cannibal' Agejevs (bass guitar, also a member of Disgorged and Flaying). With a steady new line-up and alongside regular live performances, the band continues working on new material for its' debut release.
In the Summer of 1996, Sanctimony entered "Metal Attack" studios, again joined by Jānis Levits, to record their debut album "When The Sun Was God". The album is printed in cassette format and released with a blasting performance at the famous rock & metal venue "MadMix" in Riga.
credits
released December 1, 1996
Sanctimony 1996 was: Jānis - vocals, Viesturs - guitars, Roberts - guitars, Viktors - bass, Kārlis - drums.
Sanctimony 2016 is: Jānis Boļšaks - vocals, Viesturs Grīnbergs - guitars, Pauls Ruško - guitars, Deniss Denisenko - bass, Jēkabs Zemzaris - drums, vocals.
This demo was recorded and mixed by Janis Levits at Phoenix studio, Riga, Latvia, June 8 to 20, 1996. Remastered in 2016 by Sergey 'Amsterdam' Laletin.
Produced by Sanctimony.
Additional vocals by Sandra. Keyboards played by Jānis
1996 cover artwork by Kristaps Strauts, layout by Gints Lundbergs. 2016 band photo by Olivija Janusone. 2016 layout by P3LICAN.
1996 thanks to: our families; Edgars & Skyforger; Kostiks; Varis & Mad Mix; Ilgvars Gravnieks; Nemo and B.C Rich; Valērijs & Hell Patrol; Ints, Vecītis & Black Crusade; Igor, Vadik and Colorado; Vladik & Heaven Grey; Valdis, Urbix & Huskvarn; Neglected Fields; Raitis Sametis; Elīna Dubava; Yorik & Dies Irae; Gunta; Edijs and Rugby; Poļiks & Rūsa; Dzelzs Vilks; Gunča & Moral Free; Getman & Infrogress; Juris (Pearl) & Linga; Romka; Ruslan; D.Day Rabbit; Vigo Račevskis; Tālis Gžibovskis; Kangaroo; Marich, Janka, Fascist (Disgorged).
Special 1996 thanks to: Jānis Levits; Rihards Skudrītis; Gints Lundbergs; Kristaps Strauts; Kaspars Goba; Raimonds Škutānis; Uģis Jaunslavietis.
supported by 43 fans who also own “When The Sun Was God”
Location made it hard for me to be on the tape trading circuit back in the day, so discovering this band in the 80s would have been hard from rural ohio. Glad I got to hear this now! Rivals all the stateside 2nd wave thrashers ! Recommend ! warchrist30
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