Two years ago the long-running Israeli black metal band Arallu, whose roots go back to the late ’90s, released their latest album under the imposing title Death Covenant. And the music is also imposing — ferocious, heavy, often vast and towering — but it’s also complex, dynamic, and exotic (for want of a better word) in its seamless incorporation of Middle Eastern folk melody and instrumentation.
It’s a striking example of how a style of extreme music born in the cold regions of northern Europe can be reconfigured and reborn to suit the terrain and traditions of a dramatically different world. And its changing musical manifestations and elaborate songcraft make it an album that rewards careful and extended listening in addition to firing up the blood and casting spells on a first spin, the kind of record that reveals new discoveries with each journey through its 10 songs.
One of this writer’s favorite songs on Death Covenant is the penultimate track, “Empire of Salt“, and so it’s a real pleasure to host the premiere of Arallu‘s transfixing video for that song today — especially since we’re doing it on a Bandcamp Friday, a good day to pick up records like Death Covenant.
As we’ve said, Middle Eastern melodies and instrumentation play important roles in the music on Death Covenant, but they are the centerpiece of “Empire of Salt“. That’s apparent immediately, as the song begins with the wailing reverberation of strings plucked on a saz. That melody continues in even more magical tones after being joined by a big growling bass and mysteriously rippling guitars.
But as we’ve said, Arallu’s music is dynamic, and so mystery begins to give way to feelings of grim peril. A savage voice growls; strident chords burn and crash; the drums beat and batter; and ghostly emanations radiate high overhead. The effect is ominous and frightening.
Whirring arpeggios and the rhythmic clack of another percussive instrument then lead the band into a dervish-like outburst of riotous drumming, feverish riffing, and scalding screams. The richly layered music has become wild and exhilarating, but still exotic and supernatural.
The song continues to change — in its pacing, in its tonal textures, and through the extravagance of massed vocals. The mood becomes dismal and despairing, diabolical and haunting — and the band also quickly reprise some of the song’s earlier motifs, this time joined by strident singing.
You could easily imagine “Empire of Salt” going on for minutes longer without any loss of interest, and it may go on in your head because the musical sorcery is so potent.
The animation in the video through which the song is presented today is fascinating and suits the fiendish and supernatural aspects of the music very well, as well as its ancient settings, and you’ll also see flashes of Arallu performing.
A reminder (as if you needed one): Today is a Bandcamp Friday, when more of the money you spend will go to the bands. As always, you’ll have lots of choices, but Arallu‘s music and merch should definitely be considered. And in case you haven’t yet heard all of Death Covenant, we’ve included the full stream below.
ORDER ARALLU MUSIC & MERCH:
https://linktr.ee/Arallu
https://arallu.bandcamp.com/merch
FOLLOW ARALLU:
https://www.facebook.com/ARALLU666