"The Epigenesis"

 Melechesh - "The Epigenesis"
October 27, 2010 (North America Release Date)
Producer: Ashmedi

    Despite what the mainstream thinks, whether they like it or not Heavy Metal is a worldwide phenomenon that reaches beyond the North American culture. In fact a good majority of the artists I listen to on a regular basis are not from North America at all. However, in my wildest dreams I never thought I'd see the day where one of my favorite musical acts can call Jerusalem home. Well, there is a first time for everything. The band is named Melechesh and they have been pumping out tunes since 1993.
    It was by chance that I stumbled upon their music one day last week as I heard a track from their newest offering 2010's "The Epigenesis". I was hooked immediately and not three days later I found myself putting this Godsend of an album into my cd player.
    Right away I knew this band was going to be something special. As they managed to capture a Black Metal sound that would draw new listeners to them. There ultimate goal however, was to bring their Middle Eastern influences into the fold both musically and lyrically. Therefore to give them a truly unique atmosphere and attitude towards their music and really be a band to stick out from the norm. The band themselves coined the term "Mesopotamian Metal" to best describe their sound.
    I figured this out right away while listening to the first track on the album titled "Ghouls of Nineveh" A song that follows the same riff for the most part, but the undertones and over all melody of the tune get the point across that many Middle Eastern themes are going to play a significant role on this record.
    Melechesh didn't prove me wrong. Just check out the track "Sacred Geometry". It is easily one of the most powerful tunes off the record. This song has no shortage of catchy riffs and melodies and if you couldn't hear the Midden Eastern influences before you shouldn't be able to miss them on this track, as they are front row and center with this tune.
    Then you have the album's centerpiece so to speak. The 12-minute title track "The Epigenesis". With this track while still showing off the Mid-Eastern melodies and influences throughout. This tune in general shows-off how talented main songwriter Ashmedi really is. There are not many guitarists that could take a single riff and play it continuously over a three and a half minute period and keep that same riff just as interesting and fresh sounding as when first introduced. Ashmedi accomplishes this feat effortlessly in my book as I didn't even notice how much time had passed before the song shifted gears.
    One more thing that needs to mentioned is the two instrumental tracks on this record. Both "When Halos of Candles Collide" and "A Greater Chain of Being" Display Melechesh's musical abilities far beyond the realms of guitar, bass and drums. Both songs showcase the band's writing abilities on Middle Eastern instruments such as the sitar, the Indian sitar, bag-lama saz and the bindir, with very traditional sounding percussion backing both tracks. The only way I can describe these songs are is they are simply euphoric pieces of music that relive your body and mind of stress for the 7 minutes both tracks roughly last.
    If you are ever looking to further stretch your own personal musical boundaries. I highly suggest you give these guys 71 minutes of your day and listen to the whole album. Just listening to one or two tracks alone won't give you the full effect of how mind blowing this album really is. If your already a fan of Nile and Mastodon you would probably highly respect what their music has to offer.
    "The Epigenesis" is the type of album that will take you on a musical journey you will never forget.
My Killer Kutz: "The Epigenesis", "Sacred Geometry" & "Mystics of The Pillar"