Lelahell
Al Intihar EP
Rating
Style: Death Metal
Release date: 18 Janaury, 2012
Playing time: 27:00
 

Holy crap, if there's a band that ought to put Algeria on the death metal world map, then I reckon this is the one!

Originally a one-man effort, the band and the man Lelahell began the writing and recording of this EP, but the guitarist/vocalist is now flanked by drummer Slabe Blaster and bassist Nihil. And a toxic trio they are!

Although not top-notch in terms of production and mix, there's enough originality in the sound of Lelahell to make this old hack's eyebrows move upwards a bit. The EP starts off with a blast and makes you think 'right, fair enough, another grindish-blastbeat death metal outfit'. Yes, they are indeed that, but Lelahell is also so much more.

There are clear influences from Morbid Angel, Nile, Bloodbath and that vein of death metal, i.e. the blastbeats are there, yet the greatest strength here is more the mid-tempo grooves. Moreover, the Algerians add an element of folklorism that provides something in their music that isn't quite out there right now (as far as I know) as well as a tiny fraction of classic progressive rock.

The 'Al Intihar' EP offers a great deal of diversity without tipping into the realm of the avant-garde and, most importantly, it has an underlying foundation of indismissable, harsh brutality.

You'll notice from the track listing below that the last track of EP is a Mayhem cover. Let me just note that this sounds better that Mayhem ever did. Just my humble opinion...

Looking forward to hearing more from the death metal kings of Algeria in the future!


Tracklist
01. Emperor
02.
Al Moutanabi
03.
Into the Past
04.
Al Ihtiqar
05.
Hermanos
06.
Freezing Moon (Mayhem cover)
Label: None
Distribution: None
Reviewed by: Thomas Nielsen
Date: 19th of February, 2012
Website: Lelahell @MySpace