An example of vague, arcane and ancient
art has been depicted for the 3rd time in a more comprehensive way than
before. The quartet from Jerusalem and Bethlehem, now operating separatedly
in Holland, France and the USA, starts with a bunch of songs in which
the tightness is constantly kept by Proscriptor's severe and fast drumming
on a dynamic texture that's not black, nor death, but simply not alienating
extreme metal with some interventions of Near East and Mediterranean
instruments (daff, riqq, darbukka and saz) played by the band themselves
as in "Apkallu Counsel" and the whole "The
Arrival Ritual" - quite Nile-influenced - in order to enrich
their proposal of Mesopotamian Metal devoted to the immortality of mankind;
from Enlil's stolen tablets of fate to Annunaki's golden thrones, "Sphynx"
explores, illuminates and offers the perfect picture painted for pagan
macigal arts from that mystic area where the oldest civilties come from
(whose inheritance, preserved for more than 5,000 years, has been unfortunately
recently ravaged in less than 1 week before careless US soldiers'eyes
after the Iraqi war in Baghdad's archeological museum and National library).
I know it may sound funny, yet it's true that "Tablets of Fate"
is a thrash blackish song, with an Exodus's vocal style, but more aggressive,
and the same happens with "Incendium Between Mirage and Time".
Of course it's just to give you an idea of the CD style, but just think
that the band implemented its sound with Iraqi, Arab, Armenian and other
oriental beats on their metal bridges and riffs and keep in mind that
the best riffs are in the instrumental "Caravans to Ur",
preceding a very gloomy hidden track and in "Secrets of Sumerian
Sphynxology", definitely the top of the album along with an
Andy La Rocque's solo in "Purifier of the Stars", confirming
the enrichment and improving of Melechesh compared to the times of the
fairly good but a bit prolix "Djinn".
The recording and mixing are from La Rocque (King Diamond, Witchery,
Einherjer, Evergrey, Ill Will...) and the mastering by Attie Bauw (Judas
Priest, Scorpions, Rush, Fight, Halford, and many others), and Ron Woodall
illustrated covera rt (George Lucas' Industrial Light and Magic. Graphic
designer of Star Wars, Dragonheart, Jurassic Park, Peral Harbor, etc.!!!).
Furthermore, this multimedia CD also includes a lot of pics, one music
clip and infos about the band and this CD; excellent idea that should
always be more spread in the future. Finally, the LP version includes
a Celtic Frost's cover, so it's plain Osmose are really trusting Melechesh
at 100% and investing a lot into their career.
MARKUS GANZHERRLICH - 20/3/03
