Melechesh - Sentinels of Shamash (2026)

It has been quite a while since we heard from Melechesh and their unique Black/Death Metal, thankfully “Sentinels of Shamash” is a little taste of what is to come from the band. Featuring three songs and over 21-minutes of music, mastermind Ashmedi returns with a vengeance. Filled with aggression and a hefty dose of melody, this release showcases the band hasn't lost a step and it is ready for bigger and greater things.

Opening with the blistering “The Seventh Verdict”, we get that crafty sound of early 2000’s Black Metal alongside the hellish vocals of Ashmedi. This opening track is vibrant and vicious, thanks to engaging guitar work and some guest vocals by Jessica Pimentel. Things get more hectic with the piercing “In Shadows, In Light”, which features some extremely catchy guitar work, and some of that Middle Eastern influence embossed into the song melody.

Closing with “Raptors of Anzu”, Melechesh manages to leave the listener with great expectation for what is to come. The band continues with their piercing approach to the genre, while picking up some more modern and fresh influences, but not straying too far away from their massive guitar-driven sound. If you are a fan of the band’s early catalog, this release has totally been worth the wait.

Rating: 95/100