Customer Reviews

Dreamweaver

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Since there are already a couple of fine reviews of SABBAT-"Dreamweaver", I'm going to keep this short. It is truly the GREATEST travesty in the metal world right now, that SABBAT-"Dreamweaver" is no longer in print. It is especially maddening when one considers all the GARBAGE that is IN print. So here's the deal. If you want a copy of this all-time thrash classic it's going to cost you too much. BUT IT IS WORTH IT!!! You will not regret it. Martin's vocals are arguably the most intense, unique, and rapid-fire in thrash history. The lyrics are epic but catchy and memorable. The guitar work is stellar, even surpassing the excellence of the first SABBAT album "A History of a Time To Come". The songs on "Dreamweaver" are fast and extremely tight(with two guitars instead of one like the first LP). The songs are among the most catchy and memorable in thrash history. After listening to the first two SABBAT albums(the third is without Martin and vastly inferior)one is left quite confused about exactly HOW a band this great could be known by so few. SABBAT is one of those bands that amazes people who've never heard them. Play them for a friend and I guarantee you they'll say "who IS THIS!!!!" And then they'll beg you for copy. So in conclusion, buy this album!!! Even if it costs you $100. If you are a TRUE metalhead you will qickly find yourself worshipping the true UK thrash gods...SABBAT!!! So get some good weed, sit back, crank it up, and enjoy one of the most under-rated metal bands ever!!!

There are very few records that have the power to blow you away on the first listen and repeatedly on every single subsequent listen. (And I've listened to it many hundreds of times since its release.) Without fail. Without exception. I used to feel the same about ...And Justice For All. But, I have to accept, that whereas Metallica's classic does have its longeurs in amidst the brilliance, Sabbat's Dreamweaver: Reflections of our Yesterdays does not. [Erm... not sure why Amazon seems to have rechristened the disc 'Dreamweavers'. I'm sure they have their reasons!]
This is the consummate metal album. Unsurpassed. Ever. So there. All other concept albums (that I have come across, at any rate) should never have been conceived! Sabbat's masterpiece is flawless from start to finish. Sure, it helps that the original source material (Brian Bates's The Way of Wyrd) is so astounding. But the true genius lies in Martin Walkyier's exquisite lyrics - which even he has struggled in later works to equal - and the incredible vocals/musicianship/licks/riffs/solos/sonic sorcery on display. Unlike too much music out there, in Dreamweaver, every single note played counts. Yes, there are plenty of `widdly-widdly' guitar runs. Usually such indulgences can mar an otherwise fine song (Eddie Van Halen - what DID you create?!) But here... every single `widdle', every single cymbal crash, every single bass pluck, every single lyric is pertinent, perfect, essential.
The story of earnest early Christian missionary Wat Brand (who goes native in a big way during his mission to convert pagans in the south of England) and the telling of it is utterly engrossing. The characters encountered on the way are compelling, the action swift and breathless, the denouement totally satisfying and totally magical. The album as a whole is a searingly intelligent critique of the doctrines and practices (especially the proselytizing abuses) of Christianity. Yet this is no unthinking, knee-jerk, devil-worshipping, black metal nonsense. Themes of love, tolerance, spiritual freedom and self-empowerment predominate in this quirky, original, often humorous and deadly serious narrative.
Personal favourites include: The Clerical Conspiracy, Advent of Insanity, The Best of Enemies (Wulf's Tale) and Mythistory. These are apotheoses in an album which is, itself, one monumental apotheosis.

I was blown away when I first hear Dreamweaver back in 1989, I loved it so much I listened to it 3 times in a row non stop. Lyric wise and Martin's style in untouchable. This album changed the way I look at bands now, there were alot of bands at that time I thought I liked, but after hearing this I realized real talent or no talent. This is a must have if you like real metal.

Sabbat were the essential UK thrash band, unique in their musical and lyrical approach and never constrained by stylistic clichés. Furious, multi-layered thrash built around dense, complex song structures and relentless metallic riffing. It is similar to prime Metallica, but darker and much more expressive. Martin Walkyier's vocals are intense and rasping, less screeching than on Sabbat's first album but fitting the music equally well.

The concept behind the album is that of a young Christian missionary's journey to convert the pagan inhabitants of England. This may sound awful on paper, but it is fascinating and beautifully told, genuinely poetic and extremely culturally aware. It is unfortunate that this genius album will only be unearthed and appreciated by a handful of serious old-school metalheads, because 'Dreamweaver' remains one of the best kept secrets in underground music.

I bought this album when I was 12 years old, already schooled on Anthrax, Metallica, Voivod, and Slayer. I still love all of those bands, but this particular album by Sabbat will always have a special place in my heart. Dreamweaver was a mainstay in my walkman for a good 2-3 years. Finally having quality MP3's of it after all these years is a real treat, and I'm happy to say the songs have aged extremely well. The combo of blistering speed and infectious hooks (see 'The Clerical Conspiracy', 'The Best of Enemies', and 'Wildfire' for evidence) still rivals the best efforts of the genre's headliners. If you consider yourself a speed metal fan and somehow missed this one, I can't recommend it highly enough.

This album came around the peak of old-school thrash metal. Yet it still sounds great and refreshing to me when I listen to it today (I've been trying for a few years to get it back but I think it was out of print). Having been an avid fan of Martin's singing since the early years, (after Sabbat he went on to sing in Skyclad, then left them, and now he's joined a reformed Sabbat), I think it's safe to say that you either really like his voice or you pretty much hate it, there seems to be no in between. To me, he's one of the best there is.
For some, this album may take some getting used to, but it is unforgettable to say the least. He certainly raised the bar of versatility when he did 'Advent of Insanity'.
Oh, and it would be unjust not to mention that the cover artwork is still the best I've ever seen!!

There are certain "classics" that every metal head owns and cherishes. Master of Puppets by Metallica, Rust in Peace by Megadeth, The New Order by Testament, Reign in Blood by Slayer, Lights Camera Revolution by Suicidal Tendencies...the list goes on.

I'd never heard of this band before, but ran across a Youtube clip of them and liked what I heard so I bought this CD from Amazon. From the first listen I fell in love, which is hard...considering this is 2009, and this thrash is old. That's saying a lot...that a band can put out such a great CD so long ago and have it still be vicious and catchy today.

The vocals are awesome...the riffs are non-stop...and the overall catchy-ness of the thrash is just perfect. I really do think if I were to put together of top old school thrash albumns ever...this would be high on the list. If I had this a long time ago, then I REALLY would have loved it.

Anyway - if you're a metalhead and like stuff like Warbringer now...or old school thrash, you NEED to buy this CD. It's freaking amazing. I tried listening to songs from the other cd's, but they don't really appeal to me. Dreamweavers is flawless.

The vocalist is what stands ou the most. the word phrasing is excellent. The music is raw but it is a good recording. This is one of my favorite thrash albums. If your into true thrash metal you'll like this. I had to get the lyrics off the internet and it was cool, they're excellent. Martin Walkyier is a poet. He only did two albums with Sabbat, This one and the one before it("History of a Time to Come"). This one is much better than the first but the first one is worth buying too, it was the one I heard first. They really had their own style in an age when a lot of thrash bands sounded like each ohter. They also added a second guitarist on "Dreamweaver". Andy Sneap(Their guitarist) Produces albums nowadays and Martin formed Skyclad in '89 or '90. I reccommend anything by Skyclad too. Martin is probabvly my favorite lyric writer. The Wayward Sons of Mother Earth is probably the best Skyclad album(It was their first and heaviest). Check out "Dreamweaver" for yourself, you don't have anything to lose.

I was raised in a christian home and this awsome album opend my eyes and allowed break through the sickness and join reality. Awesome lyrics, awesome music and ahead of it's time. The band is back together again and I couldn't be happier.
BTW, buy it and support the grandfathers of true pagan metal.
Hail the kings and screw christianity.

When I heard that Cradle of Filth would be touring UK with the re-united SABBAT, I had to go and listen again to all their albums!!!
Sabbat were great! Their sound unique. The voice raw!
You should also buy "History of a time to come" which is my favourite, by the way!
I didn't like "Mourning has brocken" and that was the end for me... very sad because I really liked them!
I wish they would come to US with COF!!
I remember seeing them live when I was in Italy. They were touring with Manowar in 1989... they were great!!!