Melechesh "The Epigenesis"

The Epigenesis is the fifth full-length album by the black metal band Melechesh.

Epigenesis was recorded in Turkey. Ashmedi explained that this decision was a fit with the band's general approach to music:

We don't always do it by the book. We do it our way. Everybody does albums in the West, or travels from east to west to record their albums. We did it the other way around. We went from Europe to an Eastern country. Istanbul is a city where east and west blend, culturally speaking. It's a place with a tradition of eastern style rock music from the '60s. I visited Istanbul in 2009 and really liked it. It's very rock and roll and heavy metal, which people may not be aware of. It could challenge any metal scene in the States and Europe in the amount of rock and metal bars. That was an extra bonus.

Ashmedi confirmed that he recorded the vocals naked, which he described as "ritualistic". He further noted that

We put in a dim red light and some Sumerian and Mesopotamian artifacts to get the atmosphere. I could only sing late at night, sometimes until dawn. The studio would be empty, just the engineer, and he was in a different room and couldn't see me...I wanted to feel as primal as possible to fairly represent the vocals. That's how the vocals are, that's not pretend. The vocals are bestial, primal, aggressive. That's how I felt like doing it. The only thing I had on was my rings and jewelry. I had some whiskey as well. I never drink while performing, only after. But this time it helped a lot to have a little bit while singing. It kept the vocal cords open. It worked. It sounds strange to say I sang naked, but it was done in a context of spirituality and being primal.

Half the bass lines had to be played by Ashmedi due to a technical issue.

Track listing

1. "Ghouls of Nineveh (Ashmedi)" 6:46
2. "Grand Gathas of Baal Sin (Ashmedi , Moloch)" 5:58
3. "Sacred Geometry (Ashmedi)" 5:32
4. "The Magickan and the Drones (Ashmedi)" 7:20
5. "Mystics of the Pillar (Ashmedi)" 8:31
6. "When Halos of Candles Collide (Ashmedi , Moloch)" (Instrumental) 5:39
7. "Defeating the Giants (Ashmedi)" 3:26
8. "Illumination: the Face of Shamash (Ashmedi , Moloch)" 5:35
9. "Negative Theology (Ashmedi)" 3:51
10. "A Greater Chain of Being (Ashmedi , Moloch)" (Instrumental) 6:54
11. "The Epigenesis (Ashmedi , Moloch)" 12:18

Total length: 71:47

A video was made for the song "Grand Gathas of Baal Sin"

Recording information:

Recorded, mixed and mastered at the Babajim Studio in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Intro for track 4 recorded at Sulphonic Studio, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Melechesh "Emissaries"

Emissaries is Melechesh's fourth full-length album and third through Osmose Productions. The album introduces their new drummer Xul (who has been performing with them since 2004). The Album contains an instrumental Bonus Track - Extemporized Ophtalmic Release - it is not titled on the track listing but is number 11 on the CD, the given name of this track basically refers to it being an unplanned improvised jam.

Track listing

1. "Rebirth of the Nemesis" Ashmedi, Moloch 6:38
2. "Ladders to Sumeria" Ashmedi 4:02
3. "Deluge of Delusional Dreams" Ashmedi 6:25
4. "Touching the Spheres of Sephiroth" Al'Hazred, Ashmedi 3:10
5. "Gyroscope" (The Tea Party cover) 2:58
6. "Double Helixed Sceptre" Ashmedi 5:56
7. "The Scribes of Kur" Ashmedi, Moloch 6:35
8. "Leper Jerusalem" Ashmedi 3:49
9. "Sand Grain Universe" Ashmedi 5:16
10. "Emissaries and the Mysterium Magnum" Ashmedi, Moloch 7:20
11. "Extemporized Ophthalmic Release" (hidden track) Ashmedi 3:25

Lyrics to track 3 "are based on an original Mesopotamian myth entitled 'The Seven Evil Spirits' (translated by R.C. Thompson in The Devils And Evil Spirits Of Babylonia, London, 1903); they are freely interpreted and adapted." Note that though the song has two 'movements', it is in fact a single track.

Track 11 is unlisted on the back cover. From the liner notes: "[T]he extemporized ophthalmic release on track 11 is performed live in the studio."

Recording information:

Recorded at Woodhouse Studios - Hagen, Germany (06/01/2006 to 03/02/2006).

Mixed and mastered at Flying Pig Studios - Swerte, Germany.

Additional overdubs recorded at Q-Sonic Productions Studio - Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Melechesh "Sphynx"

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 (lyrical overviews, wallpaper, photos, glossary of terms, and a videoclip for the track "Genies, Sorcerers and Mesopotamian Nights"). There is a guest appearance from Andy LaRocque on the track "Purifier of the Stars".

The Limited LP version contains a cover of Celtic Frost's "Babylon Fell".

Track listing

1. "Of Mercury and Mercury" Ashmedi Ashmedi 6:34
2. "Secrets of Sumerian Sphynxology" Ashmedi Ashmedi 5:33
3. "Annunaki’s Golden Thrones" Ashmedi Ashmedi 6:42
4. "Apkallu Counsel" Proscriptor Ashmedi, Al'Hazred, Moloch 5:12
5. "Tablets of Fate" Ashmedi Ashmedi 5:30
6. "Triangular Tattvic Fire" Proscriptor Ashmedi 4:29
7. "The Arrival Ritual" 5:48
8. "Incendium Between Mirage and Time" Proscriptor Ashmedi, Al'Hazred 5:48
9. "Purifier of the Stars" Ashmedi Ashmedi 4:42
10. "Caravans to Ur" 12:38

Multimedia section includes a video clip, photos, articles, and more.

Recording information:

Produced by Melechesh.

All song arrangements by Melechesh Ashmedi

Recorded and mixed from November 30th to December 21st, 2002 at Los Angered Recordings, Angered, Sweden.

Track 7 mixed at Q-Sonic Prod, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Mastered at Bauhaus Studio, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Executive production: Osmose Productions