Sabbat
16 December 2006
The Rig, Rock City, Nottingham
It`s just over a year since Rockers Digest ventured out of London to witness the reunion show of one British thrash band, namely Onslaught, and thanks to Cradle Of Filth tonight we find ourselves in Nottingham witnessing the return of Sabbat.
Whilst recording his band`s latest album with Andy Sneap, Dani Filth`s persistence in asking Sneap to reform Sabbat eventually paid off with the Sabbat agreeing to return with the Dreamweaver line-up for a run of dates supporting Cradle Of Filth on their December UK tour. This has since extended to some European festival appearances next summer, one of which, we found out tonight, is close to home. Tonight`s gig in the Rig at Rock City, was a low key warm up for those Cradle Of Filth dates.
There`s not so much a stage, as a barrier positioned between two pillars in the low ceiling Rig, hence clinging to the barrier was the best way to get any view of the band. Eventually, the Intro from the band`s 1988 debut History Of A Time To Come sounded over the PA, with the band filing out in front of us. Then at the sound of "So It Is Done!", Sabbat are back and belting out A Cautionary Tale.
With some reunions, the bands often look very much like they`re arriving from their day jobs, however Sabbat really do still look the part. Andy Sneap was head to toe in sober black, racing through the familiar riffs from the late 80s. Tight with his guitar, Simon Jones, now with short black hair, looked at ease with the material as if there had never been a break. There has indeed been a break and Martin Walkyier informs us that it`s been 10 years since Simon Negus has pounded a drum kit. You certainly wouldn`t have guessed that. Sabbat`s material is fast and full of twists and turns and Negus never looked out of control.
It`s Walkyier and bassist Fraser Crakse who really look the Pagan part. Walkyier has not been off the radar in the intervening years, fronting Skyclad and then his own tribute to this band, Return To The Sabbat, before the ill fated Clan Destined. The Best Of Enemies is dedicated to those who betrayed him in that project. Walkyier is as animated as ever, pacing back and forth in what little space is available, waving his staff and spitting out the quick fire lyrics. His intent stare framed by red make up surrounding his eyes. Craske meanwhile appears to have aged into the same eerie look as Celtic Frost`s Martin Ain. With a mane of black hair and beard flecked with grey, his eyes are blackened and gaze menacing.
The Clerical Conspiracy is the only other song drawn from the Dreamweaver album, with the bulk of History Of A Time To Come being aired. It`s impossible to pick highlights, such was the joy of hearing all these songs played live again and the bulk of those down the front remember most of the lyrics - no mean feet for Sabbat songs!
A call for Blood For The Blood God is laughed off noting the quality of the White Dwarf flexi disc on which it appeared makes it hard for even the band themselves to remember how to play it. Walkyier reminded us this is a warm up show, but there are more opportunities to catch the band live and confirmed one of those should be at Bloodstock Open Air next summer.
Whilst Onslaught have returned to record new material, Sabbat`s reunion is being touted as a short term opportunity to revisit some classic thrash metal. Based on tonight`s show, Sabbat and their material have aged well and these few chances to catch them live should be grasped.
Sabbat set list:
A Cautionary Tale / Hosanna In Excelsis / The Clerical Conspiracy / Behind The Crooked Cross / I For An Eye / The Best Of Enemies / For Those Who Died / The Church Bizarre
LINKS:
Sabbat
|
