Melechesh

Melechesh
Live at Hole In The Sky, Bergen Metal Fest 2007
Background information
Origin	Jerusalem / Bethlehem, West Bank
Genres	Oriental black metal[1]
Years active	1993–present
Labels	Nuclear Blast Records Osmose Productions The End Records
Website	www.melechesh.com
Members
Ashmedi Moloch Rahm Xul

Ashmedi

Melechesh is a Assyrian-Armenian black metal 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/Sumerian and occult 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... 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. 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 and the Netherlands . 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 (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. The band recorded their fourth and highly acclaimed 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. A documentary was begun^[2] filming the founder, about his plight to create the band. Despite the first director leaving the film is still on track.^[3] 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 Bethlehem) and operated from there between 1993–1998; however, they have resided mainly in Amsterdam since 1998 for several personal, professional and demographic reasons.

Band members

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... (Demo, 1995)
• The Siege of Lachish (EP, 1995)
• As Jerusalem Burns...Al´Intisar (1996)
• Djinn (2001)
• Sphynx (2003, 2004 in North America)
• The Ziggurat Scrolls (EP, 2004)
• Emissaries (2006, 2007 in North America)
• The Epigenesis (2010)

References

1. ^ http://heavymetal.about.com/od/cdreviews/fr/melechesh.htm
2. ^ Ashmedi: A Metal Disporant - trailer
3. ^ Metal Storm - Melechesh Interview 10/02/11

External links

• Official website of Melechesh
• Melechesh on Myspace