Osmose Prod. 
Melechesh : Emissaries (IS/NL,2006)***°
I love Middle Eastern chords very much, and this still even when thrown into a brutal/dark metal context. Therefore, the first few tracks still produce that wow effect for me, also because the band produced their sound very well, revealing also a rather good drumming section, and other convincing elements. At its most brutal they sound powerful. After a few tracks however, it becomes also clear how they play just a few Middle Eastern chords which makes this, despite their great balanced sound, also a bit disappointing for my expectations. The acoustic Middle Eastern track shows the same technical limitations, even when it’s a nice intermezzo with a combination of oud, sitar, flute and such. The small acoustic element on “Sand Gran Universe” could have been even more a contrast, for heavy and acoustic combines very well, and gives even more contrast, but then also needs complex rhythmic breaks to become more overwhelming, a part which is, against my already mentioned a bit too highly lifted expectations, not worked out much for this album. Never the less, as a black metal album I think this one still convinced me well and has won me back for an interest in the sidetracks of the metal scene.
The band was originally formed in Israel and always contained a variety of nationalities in their ranks. (Palestinian/(As)Syrian, Armenian /(As)Syrian, Ukrainian, Dutch). The band was formed occasionally in Betlehem, Israel, now is now situated in Holland.
I heard their album "Djinn" is more middle eastern but it didn't get the best studio conditions for it.
