What is it about Japan’s SABBAT that elicits such a die-hard response from fans? ARES KINGDOM vocalist Alex Blume is one of "those" SABBAT die-hards. Earlier this year ARES KINGDOM played in Chicago with BLACK WITCHERY, SCEPTER, and ANCIENT GODS. At a party the night before our show, a very drunk Alex trapped Scott of CIANIDE and myself in a corner, and with the hellfire conviction and brimstone devotion of a Southern Baptist revival preacher, recited from the believer’s book of SABBAT to we puzzled and hopeless sinners. Yes, SABBAT fans ARE nuts. Of course one listen to the band and you’ll understand why. Now N.W.N. has released what has to be one of the most unique EP box sets in Metal history. What we have here is a double sided, multi-panel sleeve which folds out into a 77 x 57cm inverted cross. The arms and head of the cross hold three 6" black vinyl singles named for Gezol, Temis, and Zorugelion, and contain six tracks (what else?) of SABBAT insanity, dating from 1986 – 2002. Also included is a double-sided lyric sheet and silver on red centerfold size poster of the band. Folded up the cover features an impressed gold leaf SABBAT logo and vertical printed title. If you know SABBAT you know what to expect from the music(k). Admittedly I’ve always been a bit of a fence sitter when it comes to them. Some songs just shred, while others might leave me snickering a bit. Such is the case with the tracks in this box set. Nevertheless this is a worthy piece for any true underground hellion’s collection, not least for its highly original – bordering on unbelievable – presentation. Email: nuclearwarnow_prod@yahoo.com