Now, for some of you, the above might make you feel a bit quesy. But all works seemingly well and the band pull it off tongue firmly in cheek. They are a French band who go for the grandiose and have a can-can like flair. There is very much an operatic feel to many of the tracks, hence the Queen mention. The fact a band is trying to add some extra flair to the power metal genre should be welcomed.
If you like your power metal varied and clever, with a touch of dramatic flair then this band might be for you. Still it's very much a love or hate type of style that will divide the power metal hordes.
Sabbath Assembly: Restored to One
On the face of it, this is female sung “praise” music of a vaguely Christian sort. Not something that would show up in this column by a long shot. However, it deserves to be here because of its hidden darkness and almost threatening nature. There is a reason for that, much of the music is redone songs from The Process Church of the Final Judgement cult of the 60s, which may or may not have had links to the Manson Family.
The album was inspired by a book written by former members of the cult. The combination of heavy rock, psychedelic over the top weirdness and gospel gets rather creepy at times. Not creepy enough, so you don’t want to listen, but just so that you know there is more to this that meets the ear. Even death metallers will find something within as the songs reflect the dualist gnostic belief of the cult which sought reconciliation between Christ and Satan.
There is something about this band that reminds you of the works of Aleister Crowley and what he got up to. I am sure Sabbath Assembly would be invited to be his house band were they to time-travel back to his time. Beautiful, creepy and heavy all at the same time. Something for one of your weirder moods methinks.
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