There’s something genuinely unsettling about Arallu‘s latest offering. ‘Tzvaot Arallu’ opens with some creepy whispering before launching into riffs and death metal screams that hit like a sledgehammer to the chest.
The Israeli outfit have built their reputation on blending Middle Eastern sounds with ferocious black and death metal, and this track showcases exactly why they’ve earned stages alongside Behemoth, Mayhem, and Marduk. The breakdown is particularly great, a moment where the chaos momentarily parts to let the weight of it all sink in.
Lyrically, the band delve deep into the tensions of Jerusalem’s Old City. As they explain: “The song talks about the conflict and tension that exist today in Jerusalem, within the walls that were built during the Ottoman Empire. Christians, Jews, and Muslims all live there. The Old City is divided into four quarters. At its centre once stood the Jewish Temple until the time of Herod; it was later destroyed, and the Dome of the Rock was built in its place. Between the quarters there are secret underground tunnels that connect the entire Old City.”
The legend they’re channelling is properly apocalyptic. “On Judgment Day, the great war will break out, and Satan will emerge from the Dome of the Rock and destroy the world. The secret tunnels will serve the armies of demons as passageways from Hell into the world of the living.” Heavy stuff, but Arallu have never shied away from exploring the darker corners of their homeland’s mythology.
‘Tzvaot Arallu’ appears on their new album DMoon: From The Ancient World, released on Halloween via Satanath Records. The record features guest appearances from ensemble musician Dor Levin and Doctor Joe the Metal Cellist, adding layers to their already atmospheric sound. Dory Bar Or handled mixing duties, continuing his work shaping the band’s distinctive sonic identity.
For those unfamiliar, Arallu have been flying the flag for Israeli extreme metal for years, appearing in Sam Dunn’s documentary Global Metal back in 2008. They’ve toured extensively across Europe and continue proving that metal knows no borders.
The full album is available now at Satanath Bandcamp.
