SABBAT-“Sabbaticult”

Rest in Peace Records, September 26, 2024

Country: Japan
Music: Black/Thrash Metal, Blacking Metal
Facebook: Sabbat Official
Duration: 39:57
Cool Songs: “Sabbaticult, ““Kanashibari the Dwelling – Eternal Curse 7×3 –“, “Black Metal Tornado”

Along with SIGH and ABIGAIL, SABBAT has made a name for themselves in the Japanese underground. The group have been around for four decades, and while “Sabbaticult” shows change from early records, the band still has it. Said album is filled with excellent riffing and weird vocals.

The vocals were the first thing I noticed. As noted above, they really got their shit together musically. For one, the bass is upfront and clanky, as a bass should be. Being a bassist myself, I really appreciate Gezol’s bass playing, which shows how well the album was mixed.

I would still say the vocals are the only downfall of the album. The vocals are interesting, but not great. I think Schmeir of DESTRUCTION meets Cronos of VENOM. In fact, those two bands seem to have the most influence of SABBAT’s old school Black/Thrash Metal assault.

Some cool songs include the opening steel-bearing hand title track. From there the album stays consistently good and peaks on the final track, “Kanashibari the Dwelling – Eternal Curse 7×3 –“. This song is epic in scope as well in presentation. Clocking in at over 8 minutes, this track goes through a lot of changes. One part of the song stops as if the song is over, only to introduce another meat-hook riff.

“Sabbaticult” marks the end of an era for SABBAT, as it’s their last album. The Japanese know how to create black metal. SABBAT stands at the forefront of this movement. Expect nothing but the best. Cheers.

Tracklist:
1. Sabbaticult
2. Desecration
3. Oh, My Baby 666
4. Satanic Witches’ Fire
5. Black Metal Tornado
6. Sabbatrinity
7. Witches’ Mountain
8. Kanashibari the Dwelling – Eternal Curse 7×3 –

Line-up:
Gezol (bass, vocals)
Ginoir (guitar)
Zorugelion (drums)

Rate: 8/10