FROM THE CRYPTS - CELEBRATING PAST ALBUM RELEASES in the HISTORY of HARD ROCK & HEAVY METAL…
16 years ago yesterday, Melechesh made dark alliances with Emissaries! What does this album mean to you? - E.N. Wells
On October 30, 2006, Melechesh released their fourth full-length studio album. The highly acclaimed album was made available in Europe via Osmose Productions and by The End Records in the United States and Canada.
Background:
The band recorded their fourth highly acclaimed album Emissaries at Woodhouse Studios in Germany. It was their third release via Osmose Productions. The album introduces Xul (who had been performing with them since 2004), replacing Proscriptor McGovern as the band's full-time drummer. Emissaries 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.
Meanwhile, a documentary was filmed, detailing the life & story of main-man Ashmedi and the legendary Black/Thrash pioneers. Despite the first director leaving the film after losing all footage he had filmed in Jerusalem, another director took over and completed the project. Titled Ashmedi: A Metal Disporant, the documentary was directed and shot by Tools Of The Trade Productions, and was released in 2009.
Critical Reception:
A review for Sputnikmusic.com stated; “…so overall, a nice, impressive album for the Mesotopian Metal band Melechesh, leaves you wondering what will happen next, but in the meantime, you keep coming back and back for another listen.”
While in his review for blabbermouth.net, Scott Alisoglu stated; “Perhaps the best thing about "Emissaries" is that its appeal will not be relegated to those with a strict allegiance to the intellectually stimulating or musically dynamic. Yes, this is intelligent and skillfully composed metal, but make no mistake about it; Emissaries is one bad-ass blackened thrash album. If that's all you desire from your metal, Melechesh will deliver it just as viciously as those bands obsessed only with all things goat-ridden and inverted. That Melechesh has chosen to make its journey a decidedly more adventurous one just makes the work that much more stimulating.”
Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells
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