Sabbath Judas Sabbath

19u / classic heavy rock covers / Helstar’s James Rivera / € 10,-

SABBATH JUDAS SABBATH, a tribute to heavy metal icons Black Sabbath (primarily the Dio years) and Judas Priest, is a product of Houston, Texas–based national recording artist, James Rivera. The front man is best known for his long running career as the voice behind Progressive Thrash metallers HELSTAR, a cult metal band that was popular in the 1980’s, which in recent years, has resurfaced with a reunited lineup. Rivera is also famous for his opuses DESTINY’S END and DISTANT THUNDER, in addition to his stint with San Francisco Bay area group VICIOUS RUMORS, as well as SEVEN WITCHES. Although the singer has had quite a productive and lengthy music career, Rivera chose to create tribute bands to perform with during times when he is on break from recording or touring with his original acts.

Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, two of Rivera’s main idols, have played a highly influential role in his musical profession. Many have compared Rivera’s singing capabilities to the vocal styles of Rob Halford and Ronnie James Dio. As a great form of flattery, Rivera felt it appropriate to showcase the effects these artists have had on his music career by dedicating his tribute bands to them.

SABBATH JUDAS SABBATH came to fruition in 2002, although Rivera actually started this concept years earlier as two separate tributes; CHILDREN OF THE GRAVE, A Tribute to Black Sabbath and METAL GODS, A Tribute to Judas Priest. Both tribute bands originated in Houston, Texas and became a commodity in the local metal scene, performing regionally, as well as outside of Texas. Rivera ultimately decided to combine the forces of the two bands to create one superior tribute band, in which he chose for it the fitting moniker of SABBATH JUDAS SABBATH.

Sun 30 Aug