Customer Reviews

History of a Time to Come

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

 

 

Okay, I was 17 years old when I first heard this album and it sounds just as fresh today. Sabbat were one of the forebearers of satanic black metal along with Bathory and Celtic Frost. Every track on this album is memorable and intelligently written, both lyrically and musically. Song topics range from Hitler (Behind Crooked Cross), anti-rascism (I For an Eye), and the ridiculous nature of most christian religions (The Church Bizarre). So do yourself a favor and pick up this masteriece of metal for a History Lesson in Metal!

A milestone! Well I knew that all to well when buying cause I bought this back in `87 when it came out, and I really think of it as magic as I did 21 years ago. The band where really young at the time and as adults they couldn't do anything like this, but it's really cool they are back together as a band. To me this record was about 10 years ahead of it's time. Martin's lyric leaves all copycats and wannabee's behind.

Henrik/ Sweden

How many times must it be said that this is a masterpiece?

See my response to sauerkraut.

History of a Time to Come is the metal band Sabbat's debut full-length album, originally released in 1988. This expanded edition came out in 2007. I got this album mainly because I like Martin Walkyier's vocals. I have been impressed with his interesting, notable, distinctive vocals ever since hearing and becoming familiar with his work on Skyclad's first full-length album--1991's The Wayward Sons of Mother Earth. His vocal prowess does not disappoint on History of a Time to Come, either. Sabbat displays impeccable musicianship on this debut; for example, Andy Sneap's guitar work is proficient. When it comes to the album's songwriting, though, overall, it is just so-so. Of the original nine tracks, including an instrumental called "A Dead Man's Robe," almost all of them are unmemorable--except for the well-written song "For Those Who Died," which is my favorite composition, and a piece of the song "The Church Bizarre," consisting of an indelible, catchy guitar riff from Sneap. None of these tracks that I consider to be unmemorable is terrible, though. As for the sound quality, which is remastered for this expanded edition, it is gratifying. Overall, this expanded edition consists of 14 cuts. Along with the original nine tracks, the last five are bonus live tracks that were recorded in East Berlin on March 4, 1990. The CD booklet includes an informative essay of the group's history during the time of this album, the lyrics to the songs, and assorted black-and-white and color photos and illustrations. Altogether, the original material adds up to just over 46 minutes, while the live material is just over 25 minutes--almost 72 minutes in all. History of a Time to Come is not a favorite album of mine, but it is still okay. Actually, I rate this piece of work 2.5 stars.