RETURN TO THE SABBAT

Unlike one could have imagined, this Return To The Sabbath is not a re-working of the very good debut album of the lesser-known Black Widow. Each song featured on this album is a demo release of what would become Sacrifice which was released in 1970.

All these versions are dating from 1969 and they are being offered in a less achieved way than the ones which were recorded for the official album released in those early days of prog. Most of the songs are shorter in their pre-release formats if you would except the opening number In Ancient Days. The keyboards intro is more solemn and the sax parts longer.

There was a CD edition released in 2005 which almost group these two album versions called Ultimate Sacrifice: One (only Way To Power and Attack Of The Demon were omitted due to space constrains).

To be honest, I wouldn't say that the pre-release album sounds better; on the contrary. The best known track for instance: Come To The Sabbath is much more accomplished in its final form.

One of the tracks that is not working here is Seduction. It was not my fave from the original album, but it was miles better than this early copy. The great and heavy part ends this version while the original continued on a last vocal and harmonious part.

This album is for fans only but it is still a good one (Sacrifice is just phenomenal); I would just recommend more the official release from 1970 to any proghead willing to discover this almost anonymous band. Black Widow deserves it. Three stars.