Back in 2012, I was mightily impressed by the EP 'Al Intihar' by the Algerian band lelahell. With the band's first full-length I'm no less impressed.

I have no clue what is being said and what the whole thing is about, but the intro piece, Mazaghran, is utterly cool and dark, with a mesmerising, deep Arabic voice. From there on, the Algerian trio offer up a relentless death metal attack, a powerful fusion of US death metal and a touch of black metal. Influences to be recognised are Nile, Cannibal Corpse and Morbid Angel, but what really drives this is the fast and uncompromising double bass drum assault that Lelahell constantly taunt your ears with.

The pace is slowed down with Imzad, the instrumental interlude midway through the album and the following tune, Am I In Hell?, which starts out only in a mid-paced thrash tempo...of course it picks up speed as we go along. The last track, Mizmar, also offers a deep and hard groove. The Algerians take you through a world of brutal, relentless blackened death metal at a high technical level.

Excellent stuff, boys and girls, go try it out!