Sabbath Assembly is a project put together by Dave Nuss of The No-Neck Blues Band and Jex Thoth of Wooden Wand & The Vanishing Voice et al in order to re-process the Gnostic hymns of The Process Church Of The Final Judgement. The Process were active in the late 60s and early 70s, with radical re-programming techniques that found their roots in Scientology, magickal thought, theosophy and psychedelic politics. Their theology was based around a reconciliation of Christ and Satan alongside the figures of Jehovah and Lucifer but they’re best remembered for their presence on the fringes of 60s psychedelic culture, their black robes and Alsatians, the appearance of their texts on a bunch of Funkadelic albums and their influence on Psychic TV, Coil et al. Here Thoth (on vocals) and Nuss (on drums) are joined by guitarist ‘Andy’ and bassist ‘Dan’ for a series of inspired re-workings of Process hymns. Thoth’s vocals are stunning, soaring over the fuzz guitar and doomy organ in euphoric waves that have a genuinely devotional feel. The music is some of the best and most authentic sounding modern psychedelic rock. But it’s psychedelic in the way that Fraction’s Moonblood is, relying on notes as played and ecstatic band dynamics more than the easy application of F/X. Indeed, Moonblood is its closest cousin in terms of the perfect marriage of visionary garage band energy and songs of profound spiritual transcendence. And it just *sounds* so great. Really, the whole thing is flawlessly executed and steers well clear of pastiche or mere camp. A massive achievement and a reverent though forward-thinking translation of the message and vision of The Process. Soaring female vocals, wailing psychedelic guitars, beautiful hymns of surrender to Satan, what more are you looking for? Easily one of the albums of the year this far. Comes on gold vinyl. Highly recommended.
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PAST TIP OF THE TONGUES
