«History of a Time to Come» is the first album by the British Sabbat, released on 15 January 1988 by Noise Records. It was recorded in September 1987 at Horus Sound Studio in Hanover, with Roy M. Rowland producing. The line-up was Martin Walkyier on vocals, Andy Sneap on guitar, Frazer Craske on bass and Simon Negus on drums. The cover was painted by John Blanche.
“`Country: England
Style: Thrash Metal
For fans of: Slayer, Kreator and Testament
The sound is thrash with a heavy emphasis on the lyrics and on themes of history, religion and the occult. Walkyier sings narratively, as if he is telling stories, and Sneap’s guitar keeps the record fast and clean, with plenty of solos. The sound is cleaner than other thrash of the period, with the emphasis on melody and on the vocals.
The standouts are «A Cautionary Tale», «Hosanna in Excelsis» and «For Those Who Died». The eight-minute «Horned Is the Hunter» is the most epic moment, drawing on pagan tradition, while «Behind the Crooked Cross» touches on Hitler and the occult. «I for an Eye» tells the story of the fallen angel.
The band had earlier recorded a demo and a session for the BBC, which caught the attention of Noise Records. Most of the tracks come from those first recordings. The album was the first to give the band a contract with a major label, Noise.
Walkyier and Sneap made a record that stands out for its literary streak within thrash, and the band followed it with «Dreamweaver» two years later. Walkyier’s lyrics stand out for their historical research, something rare for the genre.
See also: Sepultura’s «Beneath the Remains» and Slayer’s «Reign In Blood» in Mexico City.
