Back in May, we let another one slip through our fingers. This time it was the third album from the Polish-Italian outfit Amalekim. Once again, the band turns to an ancient book that many regard as a true historical account. Shir HaShirim is Hebrew and roughly translates to Song of Songs, sometimes also referred to as Song of Solomon.
From the opening track Ra’al Zorem (“a stream of poison”), it immediately becomes clear that the band continues down the same path laid out by its predecessor Avodah Zarah. What follows is melodic black metal that strongly recalls bands such as Mgła and Gaerea. The sound is instantly recognizable and, because of that, also fairly safe.
With an extremely tight production overseen by bassist Azghâl, the album certainly delivers in terms of execution. Still, it comes across as somewhat formulaic. Much of what is presented here feels familiar, as if we have heard these ideas many times before.
There will undoubtedly be a sizable audience that appreciates what Amalekim is doing, but for me the band lacks a truly distinct identity. That one defining element that would set them apart from their peers is missing. The addition of choral elements and occasional keyboards does add a fresher touch in places, yet overall the album still sounds like a fairly standard atmospheric black metal act with an occult edge and heavy biblical references.
But is there really nothing good to be found on this album? Absolutely not. Once you look past the familiar elements and take the time to listen closely, the record is packed with crushing riffs and well-executed tempo changes. It is certainly worth checking out if you enjoy this particular style.
As mentioned before, the production is solid throughout, and the band members clearly know how to handle their instruments. The use of samples and synths adds extra layers that make the album more engaging than many releases within this subgenre.
I do hope that Amalekim will manage to set themselves apart a bit more from the bulk of atmospheric black metal bands in the coming years. The talent is there, as are the resources. If they manage to push things further, they could easily rise head and shoulders above the crowd.
Finally, a word of praise for the excellent artwork by Igor Datkiewicz, whose work we already know from Black Witchcraft and the stunning cover for Angrrsth.
80/100
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Avantgarde Music Website