Category: Audio Published on Thursday, 26 February 2009 00:00 Written by Graham Mills Hits: 115
9 Mesopotamian Metal of the highest order. On this, the second full length disc from Jerusalem's Melechesh, the band have successfully managed to invent a new sub-genre of black metal. Much like Nile, who started a trend of ancient Egyptian inspired death metal (Coffin Texts - rip offs), Melechesh has brought a very stong sense of ancient middle-eastern style and flavour to the proceedings. Much of the material presented here is of the mid-tempo variety with occasional blasting segments, while the band find themselves playing very authentic arabic melodies and rythyms. I can honestly say I've never heard anything like this, ever. Plus when this unique sound is coupled with intelligent, Mesopotamian/Assyrian lyrics (with some assistance from Proscriptor McGovern of Absu), it is truly a work of black metal art. The playing and sound is top notch throughout, however, Proscriptor's drum performance, while good, is not nearly as ripping or as intense as his work on Absu's last opus "Tara". This will most likely change for the next Melechesh album now that Proscriptor is a full time member of the band. With ten songs and a running time of sixty plus minutes, anyone into ancient melodies or themes with their black metal, folk or otherwise (i.e Nokturnal Mortem), should definitely pick this one up. It may not the "truest" of black metal but it is still highly recommended. After a few less than fantastic releases over the last year or so (Notre Dame, Cirth Gorgor), maybe Osmose can regain some of the momentum the label had lost in recent times. With this disc and the forthcoming follow up, along with the latest from Absu, it appears the dark days may be decending again. One can only hope. Hails to Melechesh and Osmose for releasing what will most likely be an overlooked classic.