Well, I had a blast last night seeing the band responsible for my third favorite album of all time. There were only about 100 people at the venue, but Sabbat put on an energetic and enthusiastic show. Andy Sneap had a smile on his face almost the entire time he was on stage. I think he was glad to get out of the studio for a bit. One of the very nondescript local bands implored "Mr. Sneap" to produce their next album. Maybe that's what put Andy into such a good humor. Martin Walkyier was a compelling frontman, and he sounded great belting out lyrics he wrote 20 years ago. The remaining three band members (the Simons and the charmingly named fill-in bassist Gizz Butt) also performed well, but my attention was focused on Martin and Andy. I was into the performance from the first note, but it took me a few songs to get past the awe I felt watching these guys play 10 feet in front of me. Initially, the band was probably 15 feet away from me, but I think all the spittle flying from my mouth as I shouted out lyrics inspired the two girls in front of me to relocate, allowing me to spit on the front row of bangers who were too into the show to notice.
As cynical as Martin is, he impressed me with his optimism when he encouraged us to spread the Sabbat gospel such that they could come back to the US and play for 20,000 screaming fans at a festival. I can only assume he wants to open for or perhaps co-headline with U2. I've always loved Martin's lyrics in Sabbat as well as early Skyclad, and it was interesting to me how well these songs about a monk trying to convert pagans translated well to much broader, modern concepts. He introduced "The Best of Enemies", one of my favorite songs ever, with a brief anti-Bush screed, and damned if the song suddenly seemed totally applicable to current events. Worthwhile lyrics are very rare in music, and Martin is one of the best writers to put pen to paper. The only slight disappointment I felt regarding lyrics was that some of them were left out of a few of the Dreamweaver tracks. "The Clerical Conspiracy" chorus was not repeated, but just sung once each verse, which was not a big deal. Whole passages, however, were left out of "The Best of Enemies". I understood omitting "Drawn to the spirits like moths to a flame - when there is no risk then there can be no gain" because it is whispered in the original, but dropping it hurt as I dearly love that line. The two longer passages that were omitted are reproduced below for those few who would actually give a shit. The second set of prose is another favorite of mine.
The values that you hold so dear
(all your laws and rules),
They hold no more sway here
Than the mutterings of fools.
Just look about you and I'm sure that you will find -
Heaven lies within our hearts
And Hell is but a figment of your mind.
Shaven-headed servant of an infantile faith -
By what right do you presume
To come and try to take my place?
If there is one grain of truth amidst your hoard of lies,
'tis "Love your neighbour as yourself"
With this alone I can abide.
I was happy to purchase a Dreamweaver shirt with more of my favorite lyrics, again from "The Best of Enemies", on the back:
When living your life like an arrow in flight
You must always accept that the end is in sight,
Be grateful at least for the fact that you knew
you came to death - it did not come for you.
I wanted to shake Martin's and Andy's hands after the show and congratulate them. I also wanted to ask Martin where he buys his gauntlets. I already know where to get eyeliner. Anyway, when the show ended, an announcer stated that Sabbat would be available for the VIP ticketholders in 25 minutes. I was hoping they would just mill about at the bar for awhile, which maybe they did later, but I did not want to wait around. I did not get to express my gratitude to the band directly, so I will say it here. Thanks for making the trip, lads. You put on an awesome show and made one long-time fan very happy.
Set list:
Intro (instrumental)
A Cautionary Tale
Hosanna in Excelsis
The Clerical Conspiracy
Behind the Crooked Cross
Do Dark Horses Dream of Nightmares?
I For An Eye
The Best of Enemies
How Have the Mighty Fallen?
The Church Bizarre
Encore:
Wildfire
For Those Who Died
