MELECHESH - Emissaries
December 8, 2006, 18 years ago
(Osmose)
Djinn, the sophomore release from Mesopotamian black/thrash enthusiasts Melechesh was one of the top albums of 2001. Unfortunately, the Sphynx release that followed in 2003, while enjoyable, didn’t quite live up to the lofty expectations created by its predecessor. With Emissaries the Israeli-based unit has not only reversed the tide with a jaw-dropping masterpiece, it actually surpasses the mighty Djinn in terms of highlights and quality. In fact, comparisons to Immortal's Sons Of Northern Darkness opus can be made in terms of bringing amazing songwriting, musicianship and accessibility to underground metal. In Melechesh's case, their sound is akin to packing top-flight Witchery thrash and scathing black metal into a suitcase and traveling back in time to the ancient middle east. At the heart of their exotic, unique sound is the searing riffage of guitarist Ashmedi, but the adventurous, off-kilter drumming (provided by newbie Xul replacing Proscriptor) and caustic rasp vocals also play major roles. Hard-hitting, exciting, memorable and brilliantly executed, Emissaries pushes Korpiklaani's Spirit Of The Forest aside as 2006's album of the year. This should be a mandatory purchase for all metal heads, not just the hardened underground denizens.
