An Unholy Black/Middle-Eastern Black/Death Metal band from Israel. The band released their seventh studio album, En Olam, (“There is no world” in Hebrew language), which would gratify fans of Melechesh and AlNamrood. The album was released through Satanath Records and Narbentage Produktionen.
Introduction:
Arallu, En Olam: This review will evaluate every aspect of the album, from its intricate musical composition to its production. Our analysis will provide valuable insights to help you determine if this album is worth adding to your collection.
The First Three Sins of En Olam
Let’s start by discussing the first three sins of Arallu and their En Olam album.
The First Sin, The Strings/Keys: Features an extreme fuel-driven dual mixture of brutal, atmospheric/melodic black metal and down-tune death metal, with swift riffs/rhythm sections while adding Middle Eastern instrumental sections. The Second Sin, The Vocals: Involves demonic, harsh, cold (full of life) vocals. The Third Sin—The Percussions: This delves into the vast world of a mixture of fast adrenaline/slow tempo –extreme drum patterns, and blast beats.
The Fourth Sin: Overall Discussion: Arabic winds that take you on an unholy journey to the band arid homeland
Immediately after the listener presses the play button, as one begins their unholy journey, one is welcome to Arabic winds and ambient soundscape sounds. The guitars, anthem drums, and ferocious vocals appear, transporting the listener to the band’s arid homeland.
Moving onto the rest of the album and the nine tracks, where Arallu pulls out all the tricks of making a perfect release. It doesn’t capture the sound/feel of the Arabic Middle but gives the listener the Arabic taste and feel of the Arabic Middle East. By interweaving Arabic Middle Eastern instruments/music, such as Saz, Oud, Kanoon, Drabukka, toms, and many other traditional instruments, into their Black Death foundation. This gives the listener a truly (experience of) Arabic feel/vibe.
While the album combines black/death metal with Middle Eastern influences and instruments, the band adds that magical spark to their music.
I must say, I do find the band members have taken the spiritual influences/elements of the heaviest of Marduk, the aggressive/carnage of Behemoth, the cold torturing sound/vibe of Mayhem, and atmospheric folky melodic death. A niche of slow heavy-doom death vibe. The thrashy sound of early Venom, Teutonic Thrash Metal and the Middle-Eastern bands such as Melechesh and Ainamroodl.
While adding Hebrew quotes/Mesopotamia folk/mythology, beautiful melodies/rhythm sections, monochromatic, nasty icy vocals, and not forgetting (some) theatrical moments, excellent guitar playing, thundering drums, altogether creating an Arabic Nightmare and cultivated “War Metal Anthem” sound of their own. Arallu is a forbidden fruit of art, with this devilmanship that’s a fruit of art, as well… …entertaining metal.
The album comes to an end with the last song, Spells. We want to give a shoutout to Arallu for letting us review their En Olam album. Now, we’re going to wrap it up by talking about the final three sins and concluding the review.
You’re Listening to “En Olam”
PlayThe Last Three Sins
Let’s discuss the last three sins, our thoughts on Arallu and their Olam album.
The Fifth Sin, The Memorabilia: Is that for us, En Olam is not any sturdy/full of life Black Death metal demonic beast; this is a vortex of extreme monster that intertwines more than the aggression of black/death metal but interweaves the influence of Middle Eastern folk music and mythology, giving the piece an Arabic mystical aroma.
The Sixth Sin, The Artwork:
Fits the album and the band’s music well. It looks like the gates to the underworld in Mesopotamian mythology (In Mesopotamian mythology, “Arallu” is the underworld kingdom ruled by the goddess Ereshkigal and the god Nergal, where the dead are judged)
The Seventh Sin, Disrelish:
Nothing to disrelish within the musical spectrum of Arallu, and their album En Olam.
This concludes the Arallu, En Olam review.
Track-Listing:
- The Center of the Unknown
- En Olam
- Devil’s Child
- Guard of She’ol
- Vortex of Emotions
- Achrit Ha’yamim
- Prophet’s Path
- Unholy Stone
- Trial by enslaved people
- Spells
Arallu is:
- Butchered – vocals, guitars & bass
- Eylon B – strings, backing vocals
- Ofek Omnius Noy – guitars
- Richard– (drums & percussion
