MELECHESH

MELECHESH     “Sentinels of Shamash” EP

By Dr. Abner Mality

At last! MELECHESH is back in action! It’s been so many years since we’ve last heard them, I thought the great serpent Apophis had swallowed them whole. Now Ashmedi (and only Ashmedi, from the looks of it) has returned with an EP and wow, it has everything that made this band my absolute favorite in the world of Middle Eastern metal.

Just three tunes here, but they all slay! MELECHESH sounds as razor sharp and focused as ever. The EP is very tightly wound…there are no folky bits or atmospheric interludes, it’s all slicing thrash packed with those “Mesopotamian” riffs. That’s obvious right off the bat with “The Seventh Verdict”, which is heads down and hell bent. Ashmedi’s acidic snarls haven’t lost an ounce. Even better is the epic “In Shadows, In Light”, which ranks with the best MELECHESH tunes ever. Such awesome catchy riffs! It strikes fast, slows down into a cool slower section that oozes with ancient Mesopotamian vibes and then just plain jams to a powerful climax.

We wrap up with “Raptors of Anzu”, which is the fastest and most remorseless track. This will cut you open like a razor-sharp scimitar! No fat needs to be trimmed, it is direct and powerful. The sound of this EP reminds me of their great album “The Epigenesis” and should be quickly snapped up by anyone into blazing thrash with a unique sound. I will pray to Shamash himself that we get a full-length later this year. Might even be worth sacrificing a bullock or two…

REIGNING PHOENIX MUSIC 

MELECHESH