Review by Ben for Sabbat (GBR) - History of a Time to Come (1988)

I've listened to this several times over the past few weeks. Each time I've felt like I'm on the verge of figuring out what everyone seems to love about it, but I never actually have. I've now decided that History of a Time to Come is simply overrated. While this is decent thrash metal with an overly theatrical edge, it simply doesn't get me excited at all. Each song simply washes over me, no matter how hard the vocalist tries to inject some life into the average music.

Speaking of the vocals, they are extremely dominant on this album, with the music just remaining in the background for the majority. When I reach the end of the album, I simply can't remember many riffs at all as they aren't very interesting. Considering how much the vocals reign throughout, it doesn't help that I find his style to be extremely annoying at times. If-a your-a going-a to-a emphasise-a the-a last-a syllable-a of-a every-a word-a, then it's going to get annoying quickly which is what Martin Walkyier does. He also has a bit of a lisp, but now I'm really nit-picking.

It might sound from all of the above that I really dislike History of a Time to Come. It's OK, I guess. The production is adequate, and a couple of tracks are enjoyable such as A Cautionary Tale and For Those Who Died, but overall, I'm just a bit disappointed after all the hype. I'll give the follow up some attention as that gets even higher ratings. I'm not sure if it's all that different but I'll give it a try before I write off Sabbat as there is potential.