Simon Negus Rock band on stage
When it comes to thrash metal from the 1980’s most people think of bands such as Metallica. Anyone in the know at the time, however, was aware of a UK-based band called Sabbat. Formed of drummer Simon Negus, guitarists Andy Sneap and Simon Jones, and vocalist Martin Walkyier (and currently containing former The Prodigy bassist Gizz Butt), Sabbat was highly regarded as one of the best bands of the era by critics and fans alike. While the band produced a total of three albums, it is the Dreamweaver (Reflections of Our Yesterdays” concept album that many fans regard as the band’s masterpiece.
The Dreamweaver album was both unique and remarkable. Representing vocalist Walkyier’s deeply held pagan beliefs, the album held a central theme that was apparent in all nine of the tracks it contained. The album was based on a book called The Way of the Wyrd, about a Christian missionary who embarked on a pilgrimage to southern England to convert pagans to his religion. There are many things that stand out about the album, including remarkable guitar and drum performances from Sneap and Negus, but there is no denying that many fans connected deeply with the album’s lyrical content.
Dreamweaver is the perfect synthesis of mind-blowing lyrics, incredible instrumental performances, and fantastic vocals, and it is still regarded by many fans as a staple of the genre. Sabbat broke up for a fairly lengthy period in the 1990’s and early 2000’s, but reunited in 2006 to perform a number of gigs in support of Cradle of Filth. These gigs not only introduced Sabbat to a new fanbase, but they generated enough buzz to warrant the remastered release of Dreamweaver and the band’s initial album, History of a Time to Come- both of which included live tracks and improved sound. Dreamweaver may not be the album that put Sabbat on the map, but it has definitely helped keep them in the minds of many of the genre’s biggest fans.
For more info on Simon Negus, please go to http://www.discogs.com/artist/Simon+Negus