Melechesh
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| Background information | ||
| Origin | Jerusalem | |
| Genre(s) | Black metal | |
| Years active | 1993 - present | |
| Label(s) | Osmose Productions The End Records |
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| Website | www.melechesh.com | |
Melechesh is a black metal band that originated in Jerusalem, Israel. 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/Sumerian and occult themes (both musically and lyrically); the band invented the title "Mesopotamian Metal" to best describe their type of metal.
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[edit] Biography
The band's release in 1995 of the official demo As Jerusalem Burns and 7" EP The Siege Of Lachish 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 on an American black metal record label; then newly recruited bassist Al´Hazred completed the line-up.
Due to various personal and professional reasons, the band members were forced to relocate to France and the Netherlands in 1998. Lord Curse remained in Jerusalem and later moved to the USA to continue with his Art studies, thus requiring the band to recruit a new drummer. Absu drummer Proscriptor soon filled the vacant position. From that point on, Melechesh have released two full-length albums: Djinn (2001), dealing with Mesopotamian mythology, and Sphynx (2003), dealing with Mesopotamian/Sumerian mythology while always keeping the dark and Near Eastern occult themes close to their hearts. Recently, the band recorded their fourth album Emissaries which is available in Europe (Osmose Productions) and by The End Records in the United States and Canada . Meanwhile, Xul has replaced Proscriptor as the band's fulltime drummer. Additionally, Proscriptor, while no longer in the band, plans to re-release 'The Siege of Lachish' on his label, Tarot Productions, also in 2007.
[edit] Misconceptions About The Band
At times Melechesh is mistakenly considered an Israeli band, a confusion due to the fact that the band started their career in Jerusalem (and Bethlehem), however none of the band members are Israeli or have Israeli nationality. Currently the band is comprised of four ethnicities according to the group itself: Armenian/Assyrian (Ashmedi), Assyrian (Moloch), Dutch (Xul) and Ukrainian (Al' Hazred). Furthermore, some people think Melechesh has Egyptian mythological themes, while in their 13-year career, Melechesh have never sung about any Egyptian theme.
[edit] Pronunciation
The ch in Melechesh is pronounced like the Scottish ch as in the word LOCH or Dutch G(Kh). Another accepted and common pronunciation is MeleKesh.
[edit] Band members
[edit] Current members
- Ashmedi - Main Vocals, Lead & Rhythm Guitars, 12-String Acoustic Guitar, Keyboards and Percussion
- Moloch - Lead & Rhythm Guitars (also Near Eastern Buzuq)
- Al´ Hazred - Bass, Additional Vocals and Keyboards
- Xul - Drums & Percussion
[edit] Former members
- Lord Curse - Drums (On 'As Jerusalem Burns')
- Proscriptor - Drums & Percussion, Vocals, Lyrics (On 'Djinn' and 'Sphynx')
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- As Jerusalem Burns (Demo, 1995)
- The Siege of Lachish (EP, 1995)
- As Jerusalem Burns...Al´Intisar (1996) (Re-issued in 2005)
- Djinn (2001)
- Sphynx (2003)
- The Ziggurat Scrolls (EP, 2004)
- Emissaries (2006 - 2007)
