I have to confess that I am a die-hard SKYCLAD fan especially during their Martin era and I was devastated when I learned that things got that band that they had to go separate ways (this reminds of JOURNEY). Through my love for the Pagan based British band I discovered the Thrash band SABBAT which apart from Martin on the vocals comprises Andy Sneap (famous producer). SABBAT recently were re-activated and Sanctuary Records manage to get their albums re-released in the USA and booked them some live dates. On of these dates was at The Pearl Room and hence that Tuesday I made my way there to get my first SABBAT live experience.

I arrived at the venue half an hour after the opening door time and got a rather unusual surprise; due to the weak attendance the club owners and probably the band decided to have the entrance free! In the venue I found about 20 metalheads waiting and drinking some beers while DEGRADATION was performing their old-school Thrash. The band did well musically and did put down some really good guitar leads where some KREATOR influences made a distinct appearance. Among the really small in number audience the band had some fans (probably friends) who helped them partially overcome their awkwardness. While the stage was being prepared for the next act all the metalheads (almost 50) went to get a beer or outside for a smoke. For additional info go here: www.MySpace.Com/Degradation666.

During the break, low profiled Martin showed up, signed some autographs and discussed with some fans near the merchandise stand. When BLOODSTREAM PARADE started performing the metalheads were still everywhere and not in front of the stage. So, with about four guys in the front lines the guys from Chicago did their best to get the metalheads back in the venue. BLOODSTREAM PARADE gave a high fueled performance mixing an almost Thrash rhythm section with some Metalcore breaks especially in the vocals and in some leads. Taking into account the circumstances the band did its best with some new songs and partially they managed to get some of the metalheads inside to watch them. Find more about them at www.MySpace.Com/BloodstreamParade.

The last supporting act was DIAMOND PLATE a really young in age band that had brought with them some friends to support them. So, after a rather long sounds check for a supporting band DIAMOND PLATE kicked in with a high mood. Their music had more than distinct Thrash Metal foundations from the prime German scene to the Bay Area one. Despite their young age and they did presented a compact sound with some pretty good guitar leads. Of course they definitely need to get a more personal sound because to my ears they seemed more like a cover band. Check them out here: www.Myspace.Com/DiamondPlate1

The time has come and after half an hour Martin Walkier, Andy Sneap, Simon Jones, Gizz Butt and Simon Negus (4 out of the five Dreameaver lineup) got on-stage under the sound of the intro from the History Of A Time To Come album. By that time we were almost 80 die hard SABBAT fans who were witnessing the band's debut live performance upon US soil. The first song was A Cautionary Tale that was excellently performed from a band that absolutely no problem to perform in front of a small in number crowd. Despite the fact that Martin was still under the effect of jet lag and had no time to sleep was a powerful frontman as always. Hosanna In Excelsis was next and it was headbanging time. After that Martin said that they were happy to get SABBAT on the USA even after almost 20 years and gave some words of wisdom regarding racism preambling the classic Behind The Crooked Cross. Andy Sneap and Simon Jones had a constant smile on their faces while Graham Butt was relentless with his bass guitar.

Martin had something to say before almost before every song proving again that he is very good with words. As expected SABBAT performed songs from the first two albums and ended their excellent show with my personal favourite For Those Who Died. I think everyone left The Pearl Room more than satisfied from SABBAT honest and powerful performance. Let us hope that the British lads will also return to the studio to add another chapter to the SABBAT history.

Here's the setlist:

01.Intro - A Cautionary Tale
02. Hosanna In Excelsis
03. The Clerical Conspiracy
04. Behind The Crooked Cross
05. Do Dark Horses Dream Of Nightmares?
06. Eye For An Eye
07. The Best of Enemies
08. How Have the Mighty Fallen?
09. The Church Bizzare
10. Wildfire
11. For Those Who Died

(photos by me)

DEGRADATION

BLOODSTREAM PARADE

DIAMOND PLATE

SABBAT