MELECHESH

There are a multitude of metal bands incorporating the sounds of the Middle East and Mediterranean into their music, but none better than MELECHESH. For 33 years, this band of warriors led by the mercurial Ashmedi has been dishing up their own brand of Mesopotamian metal mayhem without a single missed step. But in recent years, little has been heard from the band and I wondered if they had drawn their last breath.

Not to fear! 2026 sees the release of a new MELECHESH EP “Sentinels of Shamash”, which burns with the same fire we’ve come to expect. It’s been a long time since I’ve connected with the always-articulate Ashmedi so the time seemed right to once more enter the ziggurat and converse with the leader of the band. Here’s that interview…and may the eyes of Shamash the All-Seeing look with favor upon you for reading it!

WORMWOOD CHRONICLES: Greetings and hails to you, Ashmedi! It has been a long time. What made this the right time to return with “Sentinels of Shamash”? 

ASHMEDI: After “Enki”, we toured extensively—over ten tours across Europe and other parts of the world, plus countless festivals. That album kept us on the road for years. But for me, touring and writing require very different states of mind. After long runs, I often need distance from the guitar, and just as you begin to enter a writing mindset, you're back on the road again. Writing music has to come from a sincere and focused place. 

There were also factors beyond our control. The pandemic disrupted everything, and when we finally entered the studio in 2022, we faced major delays and had to change studios altogether. We decided to move forward with an EP strategy to release new material sooner, but even that was delayed, which is why it’s only coming out now. 

On a personal level, there were also challenges—family matters and external pressures—which inevitably affect your state of mind. When your writing is tied to that state, it shapes the outcome. In a way, those experiences also became part of the fuel behind “Sentinels of Shamash”. 

WC: On the promo I got for “Sentinels”, only your picture alone was on it. Is MELECHESH now to be considered more of a strictly solo endeavor? 

A: There might be some confusion there, as there is also a group photo. MELECHESH has always operated around a central vision. The band started as a side project and evolved with close collaborators over time, including Moloch. Today, he has taken a different path—he’s a professor of political science in Norway and focused on his family life. He also has ongoing carpal tunnel issues, which prevent him from playing guitar for extended periods, so his involvement has naturally become more occasional. 

The core of the songwriting has always remained consistent—I compose the vast majority of the music, often entirely, including drums, while still encouraging contributions when they truly fit. 

Behind the scenes, record companies contract directly with me as the founder and main composer. From there, I collaborate with musicians depending on the needs of recording or touring.

For example, on this EP, the bass was performed by Rob Caggiano, who also played an important role in recording and arranging my vocals. We worked together in Los Angeles and New Jersey, and beyond being an exceptional musician, he was very supportive throughout the process. Even in the early releases, my name appeared as “Melechesh Ashmedi–…”, but I simplified it over time to just Ashmedi. 

At the same time, I see MELECHESH as something beyond any one individual. It has grown into its own entity—a creative domain. I’m more of a custodian managing the process. That’s why I sometimes refer to it as the MELECHESH Society—the musicians, the listeners, the entire community are part of it. Overall, every person involved played a role in shaping this and making it happen. 

WC:. If MELECHESH still exists as a multi-man band, who are the other current members? If there are none, are you on the lookout for new players who share your vision? 

A: See question 2. We have a lineup, communicated as the “Nomadic Souls” collective. 

WC: “Sentinels Of Shamash” is very fierce, fast and to the point, with all the fat trimmed away. What was your creative mood and process heading into the recording? 

A: There was definitely a sense of anger, rage, retribution, and catharsis in the writing process. At the same time, I always have to meet my own personal standards. I set the bar high for myself, and I believe I achieved what I aimed for. 

I never underestimate our listeners—they have high standards. After such a long gap, anticipation grew from patient to almost impatient, which is the highest form of flattery. It’s humbling. That also comes with responsibility. My duty is to deliver something that meets both their expectations and my own.

WC: Was there anything different in how the EP was produced compared to past efforts or did you rely on tried and true methods? 

A: The foundation remains the same—strong songwriting first, and production serving the material. This time, there was a stronger push toward immediacy and impact. We wanted to capture aggression while preserving clarity.

We also worked across different locations, including sessions in Los Angeles and New Jersey with Rob Caggiano, and in Germany with Kristian Kohlmannslehner. Despite delays and changes, everyone involved contributed to shaping the final result. 

WC: I didn’t get lyrics with the EP, but the overriding theme seems to be one of judgment from the elder gods. Would you agree or is there something else behind the concept? 

A: It’s not really about judgment—it’s closer to retribution and perception from multiple angles at once. MELECHESH is a domain—a space where we explore beyond imposed narratives. The lyrics are layered metaphors dealing with what lies beyond perceived reality. 

I often think of it like a dodecahedron—many faces, many angles, yet one structure. Each perspective reveals something different. 

There is rage, retribution, and catharsis, but also curiosity and exploration. It’s about breaking illusions. Take Gilgamesh—people accept the narrative at face value. I don’t. To me, Enkidu is the real hero. That shift alone changes everything. 

WC: The PR sheet describes Shamash as the sun god who sees everything under the sun and judges it. What drew you to this ancient deity? 

A: Shamash represents illumination, truth, and the act of seeing what is hidden. That resonates strongly today. It’s not about blind judgment—it’s about clarity. 

I’ve always felt an affinity with this force. Beyond symbolism—what can we do without the sun? It’s the source of all energy. It simply is. Even linguistically, in Aramaic, Hebrew, and Arabic, the word for sun is Shemsha, Shemesh, and Shams. 

WC: It has been 11 years since the previous release and the world has only become more chaotic and fragmented since then. It feels like the end of an age is almost upon us. Is this reflected on “Sentinels of Shamash” and do you think a solution is a return to the age of antiquity? 

A: You can definitely feel that sense of chaos and fragmentation in the music. It’s there in the intensity, the tension, and the overall atmosphere. But I don’t think the answer is to simply return to antiquity. It’s more about perspective.

Throughout history—and even in sociology—you see a pendulum effect. Things swing in opposite directions until they eventually settle and correct themselves. Sometimes that correction comes after difficult lessons. Hopefully it won’t have to be that way, but the pattern tends to repeat. We are in a new era, and every new era comes with a period of chaos. So rather than going backwards, it’s about navigating forward with awareness.

WC: What exactly is “The Seventh Verdict”? Is it the final judgment of Shamash? 

A: The song is rooted in the Epic of Gilgamesh, where the “seventh verdict” appears as part of that narrative. But beyond that, I approach it the same way I approach mythology in general—not as something fixed, but as something open to interpretation. History and myth are often shaped by perspective, by who tells the story and from which angle. 

So while the reference is there, the meaning is not confined to a single definition. It ties into the broader themes I explore—reinterpretation, shifting perspectives, and questioning what is presented as absolute. The track also features Jessica Pimentel, who delivered a powerful vocal performance that brought an additional dimension to the narrative. 

Again, every person involved contributed to shaping the outcome in their own way. 

WC: “In Shadows, In Light” to me is one of the greatest songs MELECHESH has ever written…a real epic! Tell us more about how this one came together? 

A: Thank you—that means a lot. 

It’s a cosmic roller coaster. There are many different angles blending into one journey—it can be thrashy, melodic, black metal, even psychedelic at moments. It moves through different dimensions while still feeling cohesive.

It’s about shifting perception—moving through layers of awareness, primal senses, and breaking what we think is reality. That’s where the title comes into play—”In Shadows, In Light”. 

At the same time, I wanted it to remain raw. Not over-polished. At its core, it’s still guitars, drums, bass—rough around the edges. That honesty is important to me. It keeps the songwriting grounded and liberated. 

WC:. Are there plans for a follow-up full length in the near future?

A: Yes, absolutely. The EP is not a standalone—it’s a step forward and a statement of presence. 

The full-length will be a continuation of this journey. The plans are already there, and several songs are written, but we continue refining them to make sure they meet the standard. 

WC: Usually there are tracks that completely use ancient Assyrian/Mesopotamian instruments on a MELECHESH album. Will this part of your style return on your next effort? 

A:That element is always part of the wider MELECHESH sound, but it has to come naturally. I never include it as decoration or obligation.

 On this EP, we did incorporate traditional Near Eastern percussion, including a handmade Persian daf, along with an array of percussive elements and unique, almost tribal sonic tools that add subtle textures in the background. If it serves the composition, it will be there. It has to feel authentic and integrated, not something added on top for effect. 

So yes, it can definitely return—but only when it truly belongs in the music. 

WC: Are there any plans for live shows this year? 

A: Absolutely—we’ve already announced a few shows, and more are in motion. 

The live aspect is essential to MELECHESH—it brings the music into a different dimension. It’s where everything comes alive. It’s a dynamic situation, so the best way is to follow the live circuit news in your area or check our official pages for updates. 

WC:. If you could have dinner with any 3 people from history, who would they be?

A: I’m not really a fan of limiting it to numbers—three, two, this or that. Those are artificial boundaries. Ideally, it would be something more fluid—imagine a year of dinners, each night with a different fascinating mind. That would be the real gift. 

There’s also something powerful about both dynamics. A one-on-one conversation allows you to go deep, ask more, explore fully. But a group setting brings out entirely different dimensions—ideas collide, perspectives expand.

Of course, people like Carl Jung, Nikola Tesla, Leonardo da Vinci, Hammurabi, and many of the great philosophers would be incredibly interesting. But beyond that, I’d also be curious to sit with figures like the Anunnaki—if we consider them in a broader sense—and even unknown individuals who carry unique perspectives. Sometimes the most transformative conversations come from unexpected places.

 For me, it’s less about who exactly, and more about the exchange—the opening of new corridors of thought

WC: Any last words for the fans? 

A: My respect and gratitude to everyone who has supported MELECHESH through the years and to those discovering the band now. 

Your patience and loyalty mean a lot. After such a long time, it was important for me to deliver something that meets both your expectations and my own. 

Your reactions, your interactions, and your dedication to this music are truly a life force for me. 

This is just the beginning of a new phase—more is coming. 

Stay strong, stay curious, and keep the fire alive.

MELECHESH