Melechesh
with Ashmedi on May 11, 2003
After releasing the cd `Sphynx`, Melechesh are on a important intersection in their Career. Maybe this will push them further into the Premier League of Metalbands. I asked Ashmedi about Melechesh.
  You have lived, or are still living in our `lovely` country. Did you pick up some interesting Dutch words during your stay? Is it a difficult language to command?
I am already living in Holland for 4.5 years, ja ik spreek een beetje nederlands. Elke dag het gaat beter met mijn Nederlands. Yes the Dutch language is one of the hardest languages around. I learned Hebrew when I was 16 or so and it took me around 2 years to be fluent. I also learned Arabic when I was young g and that is still difficult but I manage it very well. So I guess I will overcome this lingual obstacle and learn Dutch. So far English is the best language I speak.

  What are your thoughts on the new CD? Every band that brings out a new CD always say it`s their best CD so far. What do you think?
I understand those bands, because on the one hand they want their album sold, but on the other hand (which makes more sense) bands sez such things because they are relating to their most recent works. I personally am proud of all our albums. But yes this one reflect us as we are now and it is perceived (by the media) as our best creation to date. I guess the metal maniacs can forge their own opinions.

I am sick and tired of people thinking Israeli music ever influenced me.. I am not Israeli and I NEVER heard Israeli music in my house and that’s that!.

 On the new album there are some cool Eastern influences (e.g. in the songs `The Arrival Ritual` and `Apkallu Counsel`). Did any traditional (Israeli) bands influence the sound of Melechesh?
No and I am sick and tired of people thinking Israeli music ever influenced me.. I am not Israeli and I NEVER heard Israeli music in my house and that’s that!. I have lots of friends from their since I lived most my life there but I also lived in USA and central Africa. I am an Armenian but also that did not affect my taste in music cause at my home I grew up on rock music. However at a later stage in life I got deep interest in Mediterranean music, and I explored the classical aspect of such music. Still people call Melechesh an Israeli band that is fine but we don’t have a single Israeli member!!! Ironic isn’t it ;)

  The music is quite original with its unusual melodies in it. Is that something Melechesh wanted to achieve? To be original in the first place? Or was it perhaps the natural process of maturing.
Since day one I wanted to create raw black metal with Mediterranean touches Drum patterns Guitar scales etc.. however we decided to develop our own style of extreme metal since we felt the Sumerian /Mesopotamian magickal themes needs to be represented musically as well as lyrically. We want to have a contribution to the extreme metal Scene, there are plenty if bands that do similar things so I can listen to them , but personally with Melechesh we wanted to have our own exclusive style of Black Thrash Metal.

  Which bands have been of great influence to Melechesh?
As a musician you are shaped and constantly evolving by many of your surroundings . I mean, as a music fan and musician the influences are hard to pin point . At first I was influenced by Old bathory and wanted top add my own Mediterranean touches, but in the end a lot played a role in shaping my musical character. I listened to a lot of Slayer ( and a lot more thrash ) , Morbid Angel, Dark Throne and mayhem. Deep purple and Judas priest .. did any of these bands influence me directly? I doubt it. Did they play a role in triggering my extreme metal quest? Most probably!.

  On your previous album the lyrics dealt with many interesting and for metal unusual themes. Are the lyrics on your new album in the same vein? Can you tell me what are the lyrics about?
In the extreme metal world where the subject if mysticism is touched, our themes are not that unusual , because many bands sing about the “fictional” book called the Necronomicon, that book actually is based on Mesopotamian Sumerian magic ( though twisted to a more fictional dimensions). Lyrically we endorse the Mesopotamian Mythos and Sumerian Magickal themes as well as occult subjects. On this album there has been a greater emphasis on the Sumerian /Cosmic connection.

  Since you live in the Netherlands, what`s your vision on the Dutch Metal scene and do you have some favourite bands in the Dutch metal scene?
The Dutch metal scene is very developed and the infrastructure for this music is very well existing, Lots of venues, specialized media, outlets and lots of metal fans. I like quite a lot of bands here and if I mention some and forget the others my friends in these bands will probably kick my ass next time we hook up . I miss Pestilence though!.

  How is the situation in Israel at the moment I read you guys had to leave Israel because the suspicion was raised you were a satanic cult / because you were suspected of actively participating in a satanic cult group?
we were wanted by the authorities then so yes that was unpleasant but that was in 1995. I left cause on a Musical level I could not progress Melechesh, but the real factor that played major role for me to leave that place was because I am not an Israeli ( also not an Israeli citizen)and if you are not one the government will really make life hard on you on many levels. But it is only far to say is that I had really cool friends there. I still do.

  The lyrics on `Djinn` were all about mythology from Mesopotamia and Assyria etc. Do you believe in mythological demons and a heaven/hell?
I believe in Myself. I believe in energy ( dark energy magnetize me for some reason!!) , I believe there is more to humans and the cosmos than people think. I don’t believe in religion!

  What are the future plans for Melechesh? Can we expect to see you live on the European stages any time soon?
2003 marks our 10 year anniversary so we are discussing how to celebrate this (a special release/edition …we shall see). As for tours Osmose productions really wants us to tour this year and we shall. Probably in fall (autumn)

  Any last words, things we have forgotten to ask you or you would just like to mention? Please feel free to express them all..!
Dank je wel voor je support! Stay true to yourself . Rock E Zine keep your good work up Ik ga naar bed Ik ben zo moe!. m/

(Friso Veltkamp)

© Rockezine.com May 11, 2003, viewed 909 times since 666
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