Sabbath Assembly - Ye Are Gods

Last Updated on Thursday, 29 November 2012 20:12 Written by EvaLantsoght

Artist: Sabbath Assembly

Album: Ye Are Gods

Label: Napalm Records

Genre: apocalyptic folk, ethereal, psychedelic

Website: https://www.facebook.com/SabbathAssembly

The 2^nd album of Sabbath Assembly, Ye Are Gods, is recorded by 12 musicians and consists of hymns of the Process Church of the Final Judgment, an apocalyptic sect that emerged in the late '60s at the shadow-side of the hippie and New Age movements.

Much can be said about tr00 and kvlt black metal with satanic references, that nearly always (unless you are Burzum) looks like a mere gimmick. The penetrating hymns of Sabbath Assembly contain very few metal sounds, but their contents and the occult sect of the Process Church and the obscure beliefs makes this record much more haunting.

The strange lyrics on Christ, Jehova, Satan and Lucifer urged me to explore the beliefs of the Process Church in further detail. The main idea of this sect is the need for a unity between good and evil, represented by the archetypes of gods taken from western religions. When Satan and Christ reconcile, the final judgment of humanity will be done. The serial killer, Charles Manson, allegedly borrowed from the Process Church to form his ideology.

The album Ye Are Gods sounds at times as occult and apocalyptic as the beliefs of the Process Church, and at other times it sounds like a flower power party. The album itself is structured as a mass, with a priest/narrator , and a high priestess in lead role, as well as a choir of worshipers.

As the album washes over the listener, who becomes part of a gnostic movement himself, it is difficult to separate the tracks from the organic entity that makes up this record. The gospel-like hymns such as “Exit” add a festive tone to the celebration of the holy mass, the sabbath assembly, as it was celebrated by the Process Church.

Regardless of the dark practices the cult was believed to uphold, the main vibe of the album is positive, yet mysterious. After all, when even Satan and Christ unite, and all that remains is love, is the main message on this album.

The craftsmanship of the musicians on Ye Are Gods is outstanding. The atmosphere and structure of the album are unique. If you like Current 93, or enjoy exploring the liturgy of past obscure cult, or like a good 60s vibe in your music, I'd recommend this album more than anything I have heard recently.