Melechesh
Encyclopedia
Assyrian people
The Assyrian people are a distinct ethnic group whose origins lie in ancient Mesopotamia...
-Armenian black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
band that originated in Jerusalem. Ashmedi started the band as a solo project in 1993. In the following year, guitarist Moloch and drummer Lord Curse were added to the line-up. The band’s goal was to create a type of black metal incorporating extensive Middle Eastern influences mainly based on Mesopotamian/Sumer
Sumer
Sumer was a civilization and historical region in southern Mesopotamia, modern Iraq during the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age....
ian and occult
Occult
The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus , referring to "knowledge of the hidden". In the medical sense it is used to refer to a structure or process that is hidden, e.g...
themes (both musically and lyrically); the band invented the title "Mesopotamian metal" to best describe their type of metal.
Name
The name Melechesh consists of two Hebrew words, (melech, meaning king) and (esh, meaning fire), a combination which has been originated by the band. The ch is pronounced like the Scottish ch as in the word LOCH or Dutch G(Kh). Another accepted and common pronunciation is MeleKesh.History
The band’s release in 1995 of the official demo As Jerusalem Burns...As Jerusalem Burns...
As Jerusalem Burns... is the first studio recording from Israeli black metal band Melechesh. The songs were later completely re-recorded for inclusion on their debut album "As Jerusalem Burns...Al´Intisar." Prior to this recording session, 2 rehearsal tapes were recorded in 1994, one of which...
and 7" EP The Siege of Lachish
The Siege of Lachish
The Siege of Lachish is an EP from Melechesh. The album was limited to a hand-numbered of 666 copies, black vinyl needing a large-hole 45 adapter...
attracted attention from both underground metal fans and local authorities. Melechesh were accused of "Dark Cult activities" by the law enforcement authorities of the city of Jerusalem, especially by a frontpage newspaper article which twisted some facts. The charges were eventually dropped.
In 1996, The band released their debut album As Jerusalem Burns...Al´Intisar
As Jerusalem Burns...Al´Intisar
As Jerusalem Burns...Al´Intisar is Melechesh's 1996 debut album. Played in a black metal style as opposed to the more Oriental-inspired later work, the word "Al'Intisar" means "the victory" in Arabic. The album contains all five songs from the original demo As Jerusalem Burns... re-recorded along...
on an American black metal record label; then newly recruited bassist Al´Hazred completed the line-up. This marked the band as the first signed Non -Israeli band from the Middle East. And also First international signed metal band from Jerusalem and Bethlehem.
Due to various personal, professional, and demographic reasons the band members had to relocate. 1998 armed with a new promo CD "Mesopotamian Metal" and after a farewell gig in Jerusalem, Israel, Melechesh relocated to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. Lord Curse remained in Jerusalem and later moved to the USA to continue with his Art studies (and now works for George Lucas' ILM company), hence, the band had to recruit a new drummer. Absu mainman and drummer Proscriptor soon filled the vacant position. From that point on, Melechesh have released two full-length albums: Djinn
Djinn (album)
Djinn is the second full length album by the black metal band Melechesh, and their first on Osmose Productions. A video for Genies, Sorcerers and Mesopotamian Nights was made, using an abridged version...
(2001), dealing with Mesopotamian mythology, and Sphynx
Sphynx (album)
Sphynx is Melechesh's third full length album. The album presents the band's Mesopotamian/Sumerian metal in a more aggressive and intricate manner. The CD version includes an enhanced multimedia section featuring a trip to the world of Melechesh...
(2003), dealing with Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia
Mesopotamia is a toponym for the area of the Tigris–Euphrates river system, largely corresponding to modern-day Iraq, northeastern Syria, southeastern Turkey and southwestern Iran.Widely considered to be the cradle of civilization, Bronze Age Mesopotamia included Sumer and the...
n/Sumerian mythology while always keeping the dark and Near Eastern occult themes close to their hearts. The band recorded their fourth and highly acclaimed album Emissaries
Emissaries (album)
Emissaries is Melechesh's fourth full length album and third through Osmose Productions. The album introduces their new drummer Xul...
which is available in Europe (Osmose Productions
Osmose Productions
Osmose Productions is a French independent record label created in 1991 by Hervé Herbaut, after he had spent three years running a small mail order company...
) and by The End Records
The End Records
The End Records is an independent record label, founded in 1998 in San Diego. Founder Andreas Katsambas initially wanted to bring attention to some underground bands he admired. In 2002, The End moved to Salt Lake City, when his wife took a job at the University of Utah. The label moved...
in the United States and Canada . Meanwhile, Xul has replaced Proscriptor as the band’s fulltime drummer. A documentary was begun filming the founder, about his plight to create the band. Despite the first director leaving the film is still on track. Ashmedi's biographical articles can be found on several reputable websites and printed magazines around the world, such as the magazines Decibel and Legacy.
Origins
The band started their career in Jerusalem (and BethlehemBethlehem
Bethlehem is a Palestinian city in the central West Bank of the Jordan River, near Israel and approximately south of Jerusalem, with a population of about 30,000 people. It is the capital of the Bethlehem Governorate of the Palestinian National Authority and a hub of Palestinian culture and tourism...
) and operated from there between 1993–1998; however, they have resided mainly in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
since 1998 for several personal, professional and demographic reasons.
Current members
- Ashmedi – lead vocals, lead & rhythm 6 & 12 string electric guitars, elec.Guitar/Sitar , Sitar (1993–present)
- Moloch – lead & rhythm 6 & 12 string electric guitars, buzuq (1994–present)
- Xul – drums, percussion (2005–present)
- Rahm – bass (2009–present)
Former members
- Thamuz - bass (1994–1995)
- Uusur - bass (1996)
- Al' Hazred – bass, vocals (1996–2008)
- Lord Curse – drums, percussion (1994–1999)
- Proscriptor – drums, percussion, vocals (1999–2005)
- Cimeries - keyboard (1996)
Session live musicians
- Kawn – bass, backing vocals (2007–2008)
- Malak Al'Maut – Guitars (Filling in for Moloch) (2008–2009)
Discography
- As Jerusalem Burns...As Jerusalem Burns...As Jerusalem Burns... is the first studio recording from Israeli black metal band Melechesh. The songs were later completely re-recorded for inclusion on their debut album "As Jerusalem Burns...Al´Intisar." Prior to this recording session, 2 rehearsal tapes were recorded in 1994, one of which...
(Demo, 1995) - The Siege of LachishThe Siege of LachishThe Siege of Lachish is an EP from Melechesh. The album was limited to a hand-numbered of 666 copies, black vinyl needing a large-hole 45 adapter...
(EP, 1995) - As Jerusalem Burns...Al´IntisarAs Jerusalem Burns...Al´IntisarAs Jerusalem Burns...Al´Intisar is Melechesh's 1996 debut album. Played in a black metal style as opposed to the more Oriental-inspired later work, the word "Al'Intisar" means "the victory" in Arabic. The album contains all five songs from the original demo As Jerusalem Burns... re-recorded along...
(1996) - DjinnDjinn (album)Djinn is the second full length album by the black metal band Melechesh, and their first on Osmose Productions. A video for Genies, Sorcerers and Mesopotamian Nights was made, using an abridged version...
(2001) - SphynxSphynx (album)Sphynx is Melechesh's third full length album. The album presents the band's Mesopotamian/Sumerian metal in a more aggressive and intricate manner. The CD version includes an enhanced multimedia section featuring a trip to the world of Melechesh...
(2003, 2004 in North America) - The Ziggurat ScrollsThe Ziggurat ScrollsThe Ziggurat Scrolls is an EP from Melechesh. The album is limited to 500 copies worldwide and can be purchased directly from Profound Lore Records.-Track listing:#"Tablets of Fate" - 5:06...
(EP, 2004) - EmissariesEmissaries (album)Emissaries is Melechesh's fourth full length album and third through Osmose Productions. The album introduces their new drummer Xul...
(2006, 2007 in North America) - The EpigenesisThe Epigenesis (album)The Epigenesis is the fifth full length album by the black metal band Melechesh.-Track listing:#"Ghouls of Nineveh" – 6:46#"Grand Gathas Of Baal Sin" – 5:58#"Sacred Geometry" – 5:32#"The Magickan And The Drones" – 7:20#"Mystics Of The Pillar" – 8:31...
(2010)