If you were a fan of UK thrash metal in the late 80’s and early 90’s, it is almost a given that you are familiar with Sabbat.  Their first two albums, History of a Time to Come and Dreamweaver, were both critical successes, and the band offered music that was new and relevant at a time when all most thrash bands wanted to do was copy the style of groups like Megadeth and Slayer in the hopes of seeing the same level of financial success.  Sabbat was an integral part of the genre during these years, but what ever happened to Simon Negus and the rest of Sabbat?

 

While most people are aware of History and Dreamweaver, the band’s third album was met with far less success.  Two members of the band quit before it was completed, leaving drummer Simon Negus and guitarist Andy Sneap to find last minute replacements so that it could be finished.  The band was in financial turmoil, and the lacking success of the third album ultimately left the remaining members to disband.  Vocalist Martin Walkyier went on to form Skyclad and Andy Sneap is now a Grammy winning music producer and the owner of Backstage Recording Studios.  Simon Negus went on to join the band Glory Boys.

While the members of Sabbat went on to work on their own projects, the band didn’t remain broken up.  In 2006, Cradle of Filth selected Sabbat as their supporting act for a series of four shows.  Sabbat is credited as one of the band’s biggest influences, and the shows helped Sabbat re-emerge in the thrash scene.  In the time since, both History and Dreamweaver have been remastered and re-released, and the future for Sabbat looks as though it may be bright again although the band has no long term plans at the time.