Sabbat (band)
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- For the Japanese band, see Sabbat (Japanese band).
Sabbat was a thrash metal band from Nottingham in England.
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[edit] Biography
Sabbat was formed out the ashes of two previous Secondary school bands, 'Hell' and 'Hydra', in May 1985, when vocalist Martin Walkyier and bassist Fraser Craske of Hydra ditched their guitarist (who wished to concentrate on a more melodic style of metal) and hooked up with guitarist Andy Sneap and drummer Simon Negus to form the first Sabbat line-up. After rehearsing for nearly a year they released the Fragments of a Faith Forgotten demo, which was very well received, with immediate interest from several record companies and a two-page spread in Kerrang! magazine. After releasing a Warhammer-inspired Flexi-disc on the front cover of White Dwarf magazine, the band penned a deal with German Noise Records in mid 1987 (signing had previously been delayed because Andy Sneap was under 18 years of age and not legally an adult). The band travelled to Hanover in September 1987 to record their debut album, A History of a Time to Come.
It was well received, as was the follow-up effort with the addition of second guitarist Simon Jones in to the mix. The second album "Dreamweaver:Reflections of our yesterdays", was in fact a concept album, based on the book by Brian Bates - The Way of the wyrd.A fact often over looked by Heavy metal historians. The album demonstrated Walkyiers deep held beliefs in wyrdism and anglo saxon spirituality, along with celtic mysticism and paganism. Wyrd.
However, tensions within the band began to mount, much of them centering around Walkyiers continued use of Pagan themes in his lyrics. Walkyier has commented that he felt that they were becoming "like rush" due to the overtly technical nature and length of there songs [[1]]
First to jump ship was guitarist Simon Jones during there 1989 joint headlining tour with British thrashers Xentrix. Simon Jones left the band only moments before the gig at Sheffield University, Sabbat did finish the gig though with just ANdy Sneap on guitar. Andy Sneap has stated that this was a drink related departure and Jones himself has said he regrets leaving in a recent video on Andy Sneap's MySpace
Walkyier left in 1990 along with Craske, with Walkyier going off to form Skyclad, with a group of others who shared his religious beliefs. Though the band recorded one more album, Mourning Has Broken, they could no longer regain the essential chemistry that had made them what they were, and they split up in the middle of a supporting tour. Andy Sneap went on to form the group Godsend but is now best known as a successful producer with over 100 albums produced at his backstage studios
The band returned briefly for a tour in 2001-2002 under the command of Walkyier, without Andy Sneap, using the name Return to the Sabbat.
In 2006 the band reunited with the "Dreamweaver" line-up to support Cradle Of Filth on their UK tour in December.
[edit] Current line-up
- Andy Sneap: Guitar (1986-1991, 2006-) (Also in: Godsend, ex-Fozzy)
- Simon Negus: Drums (1986-1991, 2006-)
- Martin Walkyier: Vocals (1986-1989, 2006-) (ex-Skyclad, The Clan Destined)
- Fraser Craske: Bass (1986-1989, 2006-)
- Simon Jones: Guitar (1989, 2006-)
[edit] Former members
- Neil Watson: Guitar (1989-1991)
- Wayne Banks: Bass (1989-1991) (Also in: Blaze, Messiah's Kiss, Godsend)
- Ritchie Desmond: Vocals (1989-1991)
[edit] Discography
- Fragments of a Faith Forgotten Demo, 1986
- Blood for the Blood God EP, 1987
- Stranger Than Fiction Demo, 1987
- A Cautionary Tale/And the Brave Man Fails Split, 1988
- History of a Time to Come Full-length, 1988
- Dreamweaver Full-length, 1989
- Wildfire/The Best of Enemies Single, 1989
- The End of the Beginning Video/VHS, 1990
- Mourning has Broken Full-length, 1991
