Steerpike
12-10-2005, 07:38 PM
Alright, now that we've got the tiebreaker resolved, and classes have officially ended for the semester, we're ready to get back on track. Just to review:
Kamelot - Real American Power Metal (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=415201)
Blackmore's Night - A Match Made In Heaven (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=417518)
Michale Graves - Dig Up Her Bones for Witch Season! (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=419906)
In the next couple weeks, look for a special double-header in which we give you our normally scheduled spotlight, plus our Christmas special: Trans-Siberian Orchestra!
Until then, enjoy this.....
Biography
Black metal is extreme even by extreme metal standards. It is perhaps the only genre (other than grind) that seems to wish its audience active harm. Those of you who read my Halloween special may remember my brief description of 1st wave black metal which was nothing like 2nd wave, which was primarily Norwegian black metal that included Mayhem, Burzum, Immortal... Anyway, ever since the 2nd wave bands, the Scandinavian peninsula has been the hub of black metal.
Though lately, other countries have been getting into the act. French black metal I hear has a nice scene going. But it's rather surprising that one of the most interesting black metal acts today has come from one of the most unlikely places: the holy city of Jeruselam.
It started out when Ashmedi put together a project he dubbed Melechesh in 1993. His goal was to fuse the still-young black metal genre he had become so fond of with Middle Eastern folk music and change the lyrics to themes of Sumerian mythology rather than the macabre/anti-Christian imagery that pervaded the genre.
If you think about it, that's actually a pretty cool idea. After all, the Middle Eastern folklore is filled with all manner of peculiar tales and myths that would make an interesting setting for metal. Djinn and efreeti that dupe greedy mortals with promises of wishes, lamassu that attack and destroy evil creatures, ancient cursed treasures...
Anyway, Ashmedi managed to stabilize the line-up and released an EP titled The Siege of Lachish in '95. It was followed up by a demo album called As Jerusalem Burns in 1995, which was retitled as a full-length album As Jerusalem Burns...Al'Intisar in 1996. This was actually a turning point. Very often, what is percieved as a bad thing at first can be a good thing for a metal band.
You see, this album drew a lot of attention from music fans, and consequently the police. The band found themselves hassled with charges of "Dark Cult activities." Nothing new there, eh? Anyway, you couldn't ask for better publicity (though if you take a look at the American music industry, you can certainly plan and contrive it all you want).
The charges were eventually dropped, but Melechesh still faced a lot of hassles from the religious crowd and (possibly as a result) had to deal with a limited amount of opportunities for gigging and a lot of promotion issues. They decided it was time to relocate. The only member of the band who couldn't was drummer Lord Curse. He and the band parted amicably, both understanding the logistics of the situation were impractical.
They got a deal with Osmose Productions after settling into the Netherlands and France in 1998. They now had to find a new drummer. They ended up with American musician Proscriptor who is very active in the Stateside black metal scene, even being one of the finalists to be Slayer's new drummer after Paul Bostaph left. His knowledge of mythology and the occult combined with his obvious talent made him a natural choice for Melechesh.
This new line-up resulted in the albums Djinn (2001) and Sphynx (2003). Thanks to Osmose and this new line-up, the band achieved a much more solid set of albums with stronger production. Production has always been an issue with black metal bands, a lot of them preferring to go for a nigh-unlistenable approach in order to make a statement, but you all know my opinion on that already. Melechesh however opted for a raw, but still just-polished-enough approach to allow the folk elements, which were a big part of their sound, to stand out.
Just last month however, Poscriptor and Melechesh were forced to part ways. As much as they wanted to continue, the label wasn't able to adequately support an international line-up anymore. Not ones to daunted, rehearsals began immediately and before November was over, they had already recruited Xul, whom the band had been collaborating with already for a year on the writing of their next album. Xul had also been with bands Abode of the Blessed, Thanatos, and Liar of Golgotha, so he brought a lot of experience to the table.
The right now is hard at work on their new album, one that will hopefully receive some press and bring this truly deserving act some of the success they have earned.
Official Web Site (http://www.melechesh.com/index2.htm)
Kamelot - Real American Power Metal (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=415201)
Blackmore's Night - A Match Made In Heaven (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=417518)
Michale Graves - Dig Up Her Bones for Witch Season! (http://www.musicianforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=419906)
In the next couple weeks, look for a special double-header in which we give you our normally scheduled spotlight, plus our Christmas special: Trans-Siberian Orchestra!
Until then, enjoy this.....
Biography
Black metal is extreme even by extreme metal standards. It is perhaps the only genre (other than grind) that seems to wish its audience active harm. Those of you who read my Halloween special may remember my brief description of 1st wave black metal which was nothing like 2nd wave, which was primarily Norwegian black metal that included Mayhem, Burzum, Immortal... Anyway, ever since the 2nd wave bands, the Scandinavian peninsula has been the hub of black metal.
Though lately, other countries have been getting into the act. French black metal I hear has a nice scene going. But it's rather surprising that one of the most interesting black metal acts today has come from one of the most unlikely places: the holy city of Jeruselam.
It started out when Ashmedi put together a project he dubbed Melechesh in 1993. His goal was to fuse the still-young black metal genre he had become so fond of with Middle Eastern folk music and change the lyrics to themes of Sumerian mythology rather than the macabre/anti-Christian imagery that pervaded the genre.
If you think about it, that's actually a pretty cool idea. After all, the Middle Eastern folklore is filled with all manner of peculiar tales and myths that would make an interesting setting for metal. Djinn and efreeti that dupe greedy mortals with promises of wishes, lamassu that attack and destroy evil creatures, ancient cursed treasures...
Anyway, Ashmedi managed to stabilize the line-up and released an EP titled The Siege of Lachish in '95. It was followed up by a demo album called As Jerusalem Burns in 1995, which was retitled as a full-length album As Jerusalem Burns...Al'Intisar in 1996. This was actually a turning point. Very often, what is percieved as a bad thing at first can be a good thing for a metal band.
You see, this album drew a lot of attention from music fans, and consequently the police. The band found themselves hassled with charges of "Dark Cult activities." Nothing new there, eh? Anyway, you couldn't ask for better publicity (though if you take a look at the American music industry, you can certainly plan and contrive it all you want).
The charges were eventually dropped, but Melechesh still faced a lot of hassles from the religious crowd and (possibly as a result) had to deal with a limited amount of opportunities for gigging and a lot of promotion issues. They decided it was time to relocate. The only member of the band who couldn't was drummer Lord Curse. He and the band parted amicably, both understanding the logistics of the situation were impractical.
They got a deal with Osmose Productions after settling into the Netherlands and France in 1998. They now had to find a new drummer. They ended up with American musician Proscriptor who is very active in the Stateside black metal scene, even being one of the finalists to be Slayer's new drummer after Paul Bostaph left. His knowledge of mythology and the occult combined with his obvious talent made him a natural choice for Melechesh.
This new line-up resulted in the albums Djinn (2001) and Sphynx (2003). Thanks to Osmose and this new line-up, the band achieved a much more solid set of albums with stronger production. Production has always been an issue with black metal bands, a lot of them preferring to go for a nigh-unlistenable approach in order to make a statement, but you all know my opinion on that already. Melechesh however opted for a raw, but still just-polished-enough approach to allow the folk elements, which were a big part of their sound, to stand out.
Just last month however, Poscriptor and Melechesh were forced to part ways. As much as they wanted to continue, the label wasn't able to adequately support an international line-up anymore. Not ones to daunted, rehearsals began immediately and before November was over, they had already recruited Xul, whom the band had been collaborating with already for a year on the writing of their next album. Xul had also been with bands Abode of the Blessed, Thanatos, and Liar of Golgotha, so he brought a lot of experience to the table.
The right now is hard at work on their new album, one that will hopefully receive some press and bring this truly deserving act some of the success they have earned.
Official Web Site (http://www.melechesh.com/index2.htm)