Right from the time I heard Melechesh’s DJINN, I was overawed by their unique "MESOPOTAMIAN METAL" sound. This is band that has evolved an amazing new sub-genre within the extreme metal scene without compromising even a bit on the aggressiveness. These guys are busy completing their third full-length album "Sphynx". What follows is an exclusive interview with their guitarist, Moloch.
Bold Mighty Hails, my friend. Thanks for taking out time for this interview. Can you please give a brief introduction to MELECHESH for our readers?
MELECHESH is a metal act devoted in bringing back the Mesopotamian spirit within the chaos and blasphemy of extreme metal (thrash, black, death metal). The band started in ’94 (ever since ’93 it was a solo project of Ashmedi) in the cities of Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and relocated for the past four years to Europe (Holland/France). The idea behind MELECHESH when it stated was to do Bathory like black metal on mediterranean/ middle eastern beats, and it never stopped developing ever since, creating a unique sound of Mesopotamian Metal. We have three albums: "AS Jerusalem Burns…Al’Intisar" released in ’96 (released in 2001), "Djinn" released in ’01 and now "Sphynx" to be released end of March 2003.
I suppose you must be working hard towards your next release "SPHYNX". Can you tell us something about it?
Yeah, that’s why my interview is late. Musically "SPhynx" is heavier, more thrashy than Djinn, we don’t want any album sounding the same, but of course the mesopotamian sound of MELECHESH is still here, I won’t continue with words, music talks for itself. Just to say it’s a more mature work than Djinn.
Your "Mesopotamian" sound is damn unique and remarkable. However, some of the lyrics in Djinn were totally un-comprehendible to me. Could you tell us something about the stories / characters / mythologies that are featured in your songs?
Thank you for your remarks. Concerning our lyrics, they in fact deal with Mesopotamian mythology, but not only, as they also deal with the occult and the dark arts in general. I can’t explain it to you in a couple of lines, but what we did for "Sphynx" is CDrom material where you can find explanations for lyrics, etc. Also our website (www.melechesh.com) has some articles dealing with Mesopotamian mythology.
About your background . I have heard you faced some serious problems in the early years of your musical career and you even had to re-locate. Care to tell us something about it?
Not really that was a bit misinterpreted by people. But yes back in Jerusalem and Bethlehem we faced difficulties mainly socially, since we originated from Christian backgrounds, the latter could be but worried of our existence as a black metal act. We also had some trouble with the police, and others…but that was long ago, we relocated for many reasons, not only one, be it work, family, studies, etc. But the problems that existed for us as individuals who took a different path, morally and intellectually, conflicting with our surrounding society could but push us to leave.
I believe you were originally signed onto Breath of Night Records. How was it working with the mighty Akenhaten? When and how did Osmose deal happen? Are you happy with your reach now?
Breath of Night released our first album, things worked out the way they did I guess. As for OSMOSE, well we were supposed to release "DJINN" on Dies Irae Prod (Singapore), but they got bankrupt, right before going to the studio. But we still recorded the album and decided to see what other labels would think of it, OSMOSE amongst other labels were interested, they offered the best deal, so we signed for three albums. We are very happy with OSMOSE till now, specially for "Sphynx" as they have been very supportive.
Taking the distribution point a little ahead, how many copies do you manage to sell? Are you a full-time musician or do you depend on other jobs to supplement your income?
The Money earned from music is not enough to live by we keep it for the band anyway, like many extreme metal acts I suppose. WE do this because we live for and adore what we do. Djinn sold well and is still selling. We all depend on jobs to live, except for me personally, as I am still continuing my (long) studies in philosophy.
What’s your touring schedule like? What kind of gigs/ clubs / festivals do you play? Which countries have you toured in the past? Any plans for Asia? Especially in your Post-Sphynx-Launch tour?
We haven’t toured for Djinn, the only gigs/ festivals were the ones we did in Holy Land. But we will surely tour for "Sphynx", a European tour that is. Concerning Asia, I would love to play that continent, if we are invited to play I could not refuse the offer.
What’s the biggest / most memorable show you ever played?
Jerusalem, in 1996.It was the first black metal event in the holiest city, we opened a path to hell that night, it was very underground, and very kult. It wasn’t our biggest, the biggest we ever played was a festival that we headlined in a city called Haifa (North of Israel), that brought around 400 people.
Have you ever heard any music from India or S.E.Asia? Would you care to convey a word to the struggling bands from this side?
I know Millennium that are kick ass, but I don’t know other metal acts from India. We have been contacted by a couple of people from your country recently actually, but not bands. but I know what you mean by "struggling bands" from your country, it was the same for us when we were in Jerusalem, for a fucked up reason you need to be American or European to be recognised as a metal act, while there is some great stuff in South America, Asia, etc…
Any Last words?
Thanks for the interview and the support, and good luck with what you do, await "Sphynx" an opus of Mesopotamian Metal yet to come. Hails.
Interview By : Rattlehead Ram (rattleheadram@yahoo.co.uk)