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.
