Sabbat - Sabbaticult (2024)

4★

Just when I thought we wouldn’t ever get a new SABBAT album, it appeared like a phantom in the night. The first album since 2011’s Sabbatrinity, SABBAT are back with a vengeance, striking us down with the mighty Sabbaticult. Released in both Japanese and English versions, SABBAT have once again shown a specific resilience that very – and I mean very – few bands can also claim to have. Their songwriting is tight as ever, with evil melodies galore, the menacing vocals of Gezol, and the usual riff madness we’ve seen on all their other stuff. Something else I’d like to note is the overall production. Hell, it sounds like a demo! While that might turn some people away, that sort of lo-fi sound works so well with SABBAT and actually calls back to the days when they were a new band in Japan. Even with a large catalogue of great work behind them, it sounds new and fresh. If you’re into any blackened speed/heavy/thrash stuff, avoid being a loser and hit this immediately!

FAVORITE TRACKS: “Sabbaticult,” “Satanic Witches' Fire,” “Kanashibari the Dwelling - Eternal Curse 7x3”

FOR FANS OF: Venom, Abigail, Bulldozer

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Originally published in Aug. '24 (Issue No. 4)