Tag Archives: middle-eastern black metal

Album Review – Melechesh / Sentinels Of Shamash EP (2026)

Posted on by
Reply

The “Kings of Fire” of Blackened Death Metal return after over a decade with a scorching new EP, burning with the tension between chaos and sacred order, ruin and restoration, mortal defiance and divine decree.

The indomitable Melechesh, the “Kings of Fire” of Blackened Death Metal with Middle-Eastern and Folk Metal influences, who also label themselves as “Sumerian Thrashing Black Metal Pioneers,” are finally back into the battlefield over ten years after their last opus Enki with a fulminating three-track EP entitled Sentinels Of Shamash. Recorded and mixed by Kristian Kohlmannslehner at Kohlekeller Studio, with vocals recorded at Neverworld Recordings and Kingsize Soundlabs, with additional sessions at Forneus Studio, and displaying a classy artwork by Néstor Ávalos, the newborn spawn by Melechesh Ashmedi on vocals, guitars, keyboards, piano and folk instruments, Lord Curse on drums and percussion, Moloch on the guitars, backing vocals and folk instruments, and featuring the iconic Rob Caggiano as a guest bassist bass, Sentinels Of Shamash sees the band enter a ceremonial descent into ancient law, fire, and cosmic vigilance. Rooted in the solar authority of Shamash, god of truth and justice in Mesopotamian cosmology, the EP burns with the tension between chaos and sacred order, ruin and restoration, mortal defiance and divine decree.

Sharp, metallic guitar riffs set fire to the atmosphere in The Seventh Verdict, featuring guest Jessica Pimentel on vocals, boosted by hard hitting drums and Ashmedi’s infernal vociferations, inspiring us to headbang like true metalmaniacs in an overdose of Middle-Eastern Black Metal magic. The rumbling bass by Rob and the massive beats by Lord Curse offer Ashmedi and Moloch exactly what they need to cut our skin deep with their infuriated riffs in In Shadows, In Light, a rebellious and visceral Black Metal extravaganza by the band; and it’s pedal to the metal in the closing song Raptors of Anzu, offering our avid ears over six minutes of darkness, chaos, heavy-as-hell guitars, and the always piercing, hellish gnarls by Ashmedi, ending the EP on a beyond atmospheric, tribal and venomous mode.

In the end, Sentinels of Shamash stands as a mythological statement shaped in flame and discipline, a work of vigilance, a declaration that truth remains luminous even in eras of shadow. You can get to know more about the mighty Melechesh and show the band your utmost support by following the project on Facebook and on Instagram, by subscribing to their YouTube channel, by streaming their unique creations on most platforms such as Spotify, and of course by purchasing the EP from the Reigning Phoenix Music webstore (EU, US or UK), or simply by clicking HERE. The sentinels do not sleep. The sun does not close its eye. And through relentless sonic force, Melechesh remind us that judgment is eternal, and order, though challenged, will rise again in fire. All hail Melechesh and the Sentinels Of Shamash, and may their Extreme Metal fire keep burning for many centuries to come.

Best moments of the album: In Shadows, In Light.

Worst moments of the album: The fact that it’s only a three-song EP.

Released in 2026 Reigning Phoenix Music

Track listing
1. The Seventh Verdict 6:23
2. In Shadows, In Light 8:26
3. Raptors of Anzu 6:12

Band members
Melechesh Ashmedi – vocals, guitar, keyboards, piano, folk instruments
Lord Curse – drums, percussion
Moloch – guitars, backing vocals, folk instruments

Guest musicians
Jessica Pimentel – vocals on “The Seventh Verdict”
Rob Caggiano – bass (session)

Album Review –Tamerlan Empire / Age of Ascendancy (2018)

Posted on by
1

Behold the rise of a metal empire and their marvelous fusion of Symphonic Black Metal with Central-Asian and Middle-Eastern melodies and rhythms.

It’s time to travel once again to Sydney, Australia to behold the rise of a metal empire that will leave you speechless after listening to its marvelous fusion of Symphonic Black Metal with Central-Asian and Middle-Eastern melodies and rhythms. I’m talking about Tamerlan Empire, a savage horde formed in 2011 by drummer Khan, with the band’s name and lyrical content being inspired by Tamerlan (also known as Timurlan, Amir Temur, Timurleng or Timur Khan), a powerful Mongol/Turkish emperor from the 14th century. Not only their songs are about the emperor’s battles and conquests, but they have also drawn a much deeper influence from his dark brutal side and strategic mind, with his detailed forward-thinking always being many steps ahead of the enemies and allies.

Playing what can be called “Turkic/Uzbek Middle-Eastern Symphonic Black Metal”, an aggressive and very unique atmospheric style of Black Metal, Tamerlan Empire are releasing their highly anticipated debut album entitled Age of Ascendancy, perfectly describing the overlord’s meteoric rise and his great interest and contribution to science, politics, architecture, astronomy and literature during his reign, as well as the era in general where empires strove for dominance through war, bloodshed and destruction. And this distinct band, comprised of Ghorr on vocals and guitar, Ferus on the guitar, Vezir on keyboards and orchestrations, and Khan on drums and percussion, more than succeeded in translating the grandiosity of the empire ruled by the aforementioned warlord, creating an unparalleled, multi-layered sound that will certainly please all fans of the orchestral vein of extreme music.

The title-track Age Of Ascendancy is an epic, cinematic intro that effectively sets the stage for the symphonic onslaught titled Battle Of Tyrants, a song that begins in full force with the orchestrations by Vezir enhancing the overall impact on your ears and mind. Put differently, this grandiose, intricate hymn will make you feel you’re in the middle of the battlefield, with Khan sounding impressive behind his drums. Even more atmospheric and imposing, Vengeance In Blood presents Ghorr and Ferus delivering melodious and aggressive riffs nonstop, while Khan keeps smashing his drums mercilessly. Furthermore, Ghorr’s enraged growls live up to the legacy of Symphonic Black Metal, sounding vile and piercing, and therefore making me think if we can call Tamerlan Empire the “Dimmu Borgir from the East”. And be prepared for another feast of blackened sounds entitled Ottoman’s Demise, a headbanging tune led by the blazing guitars by Ghorr and Ferus, spiced up by the uniqueness of Middle-Eastern music and sounding utterly dense and bold from start to finish.

Slightly less epic and a lot more devastating, Ascension of Iron showcases all band members in their fastest and most furious mode, with the musicality being led by the classic blast beats by Khan while Ghorr keeps barking like a demon; whereas in Behest Of The Chosen we’re treated to a whimsical intro where classic Middle-Eastern elements and percussion are suddenly joined by a gripping and dark sonority, feeling very rhythmic, mesmerizing and detailed until its atmospheric grand finale. Tribal beats ignite another superb metal extravaganza by Tamerlan Empire named Winter March, the perfect soundtrack to an epic adventure presenting what’s perhaps the strongest balance between Black Metal and Middle-Eastern music, with Vezir sounding absolutely fantastic with his keys and orchestrations, followed by Dominion Of Ashes, leaning towards modern Symphonic Black Metal and also presenting elements from traditional Norwegian Black Metal, but with its core essence still bringing the band’s unique Middle-Eastern Black Metal. In addition, the deranged vocals by Ghorr remind me of Marduk’s Mortuus, which of course translates into sheer violence and awesomeness.

Then phantasmagoric keys kick off the demolishing Marauder’s Mark, taking the band’s onrush of blackened sounds to a whole new level and also presenting some interesting breaks and variations to add a few extra layers to the overall result; and Of Dust Returned, which sounds similar to its predecessor but bringing even heavier and darker nuances. In other words, this is contemporary Black Metal blended with Symphonic and Atmospheric Black Metal, with its in-sync keys and guitars generating a truly Stygian ambience. And there’s time for one last blast of their unparalleled Black Metal with the magnificent Scattered Sands, a climatic conclusion to such incredible album of extreme music showcasing an interesting paradox between Ghorr’s devilish gnarls and the ethereal sounds emanating from Vezir’s keys. Furthermore, what I’m about to say might sound weird for some of you, but I can easily visualize a lustful woman doing a heavier-than-usual belly dance to this amazing metal tune.

If you have what it takes to join the empire of flammable and epic Black Metal ruled by this up-and-coming Australian horde, simply go check what they’re up to on Facebook, listen to their music on Spotify and on ReverbNation, and grab your copy of Age of Ascendancy (which by the way is available for a full listen on YouTube) from the Metal Hell Records’ BandCamp or webstore (as a regular CD version or as a special bundle that includes the CD plus a metallic gold embroidered logo patch, a 1.25″ pin back button, a vinyl logo sticker, and a download code for the digital version of the album), as well as from CD Baby, iTunes or Amazon. And after putting your hands on such distinct album, I dare you to not get completely addicted to the band’s vibrant and bold Middle-Eastern Symphonic Black Metal.

Best moments of the album: Vengeance In Blood, Ascension of Iron, Winter March and Scattered Sands.

Worst moments of the album: None.

Released in 2018 Metal Hell Records

Track listing
1. Age Of Ascendancy 1:57
2. Battle Of Tyrants 4:49
3. Vengeance In Blood 5:02
4. Ottoman’s Demise 5:44
5. Ascension of Iron 4:54
6. Behest Of The Chosen 7:39
7. Winter March 7:00
8. Dominion Of Ashes 4:54
9. Marauder’s Mark 5:32
10. Of Dust Returned 5:13
11. Scattered Sands 7:10

Band members
Ghorr – vocals, guitars
Ferus – guitars
Vezir – keyboards, orchestration
Khan – drums, percussion

Live musicians
Yassa – vocals
Ramz – bass