Melechesh – “Enki” [Album Review]

As a longtime fan of Melechesh I was eagerly anticipating the release of Enki and, after numerous spins from top to bottom, I can honestly say that it does not disappoint in the least. Enki is a dense, multi-layered disc with Middle Eastern instruments, scales, and rhythms woven into the fabric of nine thrashy, headbanging black metal tunes resulting in a depth that other most acts in the genre lack.

Ashmedi’s unearthly guttural growls and snarling vocal lines tie everything together in dark, brutal black metal fashion. This is raw, primal organic music that is, I believe, felt as much as it is heard, and sucks the listener in with spellbinding, hypnotic grooves the proceeds to bash in their skulls with razor-sharp guitar riffs, and bludgeoning bass lines. There is a lot going on throughout these songs and Enki really needs to be listened to more than once in order to really appreciate it.

Every song is fantastic – honestly, all nine tracks kick serious ass – but, for me, there are moments that really stand out more than others. “Lost Tribes” (featuring a guest vocal by Max Cavalera), “Multiple Truths,” and “Enki Divine Nature Awoken,” make for some of the best extreme metal moments I have heard in years. Enki is arguably the band’s most ambitious effort to date is evidence of a group who are only continuing to improve.

Track Listing:

01. Tempest Temper Enlil Enraged
02. The Pendulum Speaks
03. Lost Tribes
04. Multiple Truths
05. Enki Divine Nature Awoken
06. Metatron and Man
07. The Palm The Eye and Lapis Lazuli
08. Doorways To Irkala
09. The Outsiders

Run Time: 62:25
Release Date: February 27, 2015