SabbthianIf ever a name could conjure up a mental image, calling your band The Sabbathian and the debut EP ‘Ritual Rites’ does just that, creating an anticipation of dark tones, Black Sabbath guitar work, and lyrics of druidic mysticism; on that score, this release does not disappoint, delivering all in abundance.  Formed by multi-instrumentalist Chad Davis of Hour of 13, this magical concoction is completed by the addition of guitarist Joey Downs, and the matchless vocals of Anette Gulbrandsen.

‘Ancient’s Curse’ is an excellent slice of operatic doom, redolent of Candlemass at their most theatrical, dark guitar tones counterpointing the sustained clean vocals of Ms Gulbrandsen, her near choral delivery telling a tale of magic and ancient mystery; if the late lamented Ronnie James Dio had trained a female protégé, this is how I imagine she would sound. ‘Ritual Rites’ is even darker, calls to Satan and dark rituals accompanied by Iommiesque riffing and a mid tempo solo that could have stalked from that man’s very own Gibson SG.  ‘Nightshade Eternal’ completes the EP, multi-layered alto-soprano vocals adding to the nether worldly occult atmosphere of the track which builds up to a climax of a classic metal guitar gallop.

It’s can be very hard to get a full impression of a band from just a three track EP, even one where each song clocks in at over six minutes.  However, as a taster of what may come, ‘Ritual Rites’ whets the appetite perfectly, and I can only hope that a full length release will be forthcoming from Svart Records soon.

 (8/10 Spenny)

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