  
Sabbath Assembly describe themselves as having formed in 2009 to share the hymns of the Process Church of the Final Judgment. The band also performs original material inspired by the Church. For those of you unfamiliar with the Process Church of the Final Judgment was a church that existed in the 60's and 70's and was formed as an offshoot of Scientology. Often called Satanic, they believed that Satan and Christ would be reconciled and they would come together at the end of the world to judge humanity.
Side A of the album (assuming you've opted for the vinyl version) looks at each of the four deities worshipped in the theology of the Process Church of the Final Judgment, Christ, Jehovah, Lucifer, and Satan. Lucifer is the light bearer, Satan the source of primal strength, Jehovah the vengeful destroyer, and Christ the master of death.
Side B explores the four horsemen of the apocalypse (from Revelations). This song was conceived in anticipation of 12/21/12 when some claimed the Mayan calendar ran out and predicted the end of the world. It was released as a 7” single last year but the version here is far longer and clocks in at over eighteen minutes long.
Quaternity features Jamie Myers on vocals and Dave “Xtian” Nuss on percussion. Special guests on the album include Daron Beck of Pinkish Black accompanying Jamie on vocals, Kevin Hufnagel of Gorguts on guitar, Mat McNerney and Marja Konttinen of Hexvessel reciting sacred texts, liturgical chanting by Jessika Kinney (Sunn O))) Wolves in the Throne Room), bass from Colin Marston of Behold… The Arctopus, and organ from “Nameless Void” of Negative Plane.
Quaternity is primarily acoustic in format, with an array of classical percussion and strings creating an entirely new sound for the band. Unlike its predecessors Restored to One and Ye Are Gods, Quaternity offers a majority of original material with inspiration from the Process found primarily in the lyrics. One exception is the completely unpublished “Lucifer,” shared with the band over the telephone via former Processian Anthony D’Andrea, who had contacted the band complaining that they were not “getting the hymns right.” Thanks to Mr. D’Andrea, whose rendition can be heard in part at the top of the track.
Brief comments on a couple of tracks....
The opening track "Let us who mysically represent" has a real religious feel to it with those beautiful haunting vocals.
"The burning cross of Christ" is a soft acoustic song with beautiful vocals alongside acoustic guitar and other classical string instruments. It's a superb song and is a highlight of the album.
While most of the songs are acoustic, "I, Satan" is more of a doom metal track with its electric guitars and slow pace. It's not typical doom metal though - it's got a healthy dose of bizarre thrown in, and it's a great track.
It's certainly a unique album, and while that can sometimes be a bad thing, here it's a good thing. It's bizarre - you've got religious music, acoustic folk style music and doom metal all in one album yet it all fits together perfectly. If you want to try something different then this album is well worth a listen.
Track listing:
1. Let us who mystically represent
2. The burning cross of Christ
3. Jehovah on death
4. I Satan
5. Lucifer
6. The four horsemen |
