Barzakh
In a meaning the Note
7 Track Album
Released 2007
Barzakh – Jakarta,
Indonesia
Links:
www.myspace.com/barzakh
https://www.facebook.com/barzakhband
http://barzakh97.webs.com/
Genre: Atmospheric
Black Metal
Discography:
Ritual of
Darkness - 1999
From the Devil
to Sin – 2001
Heart Holy in
Hypocrite – 2004
In a Meaning
the Note - 2007
Formed on March
29, 1998, Barzakh are inspired by
bands such as Mayhem, Cradle of Filth – (the earlier variety) and Dissection to
name but three. The band sings around the themes of hatred and death and has
come a long way in fifteen years but only produced four albums to date with the
last one “In a meaning the note” released in 2007 and the first was actually
released as a promo on cassette.
The good old days of tapes
All the way
from Jakarta Indonesia this CD has travelled and judging by the dates on the
discography feel there should have been two more released from Barzakh but like with most bands the
usual line-up changes and trying to add extra instruments such as keyboards I feel
this may have hampered them somewhat and more importantly after losing two band members to the
Grim Reaper can’t have been an easy thing to get through.
This album although
released in 2007 is self-released but does not take away the effort that has
gone into making it. The cover is as you
would expect in keeping with its lyrical form and genre depicts a girl hanging
onto a wooden cross with the band name and title in red letters. The inside cover holds three photographs of
the band as they are now with all the necessary information within.
Barzakh the band
Shadow in the Grief
There is as you
would expect a lot of ambiance and familiar blast beats with screamed black
vocal scathing and demonic – so a good start! I cannot help but think this
track was written for the passing of the two members who were taken by the reaper
(July 25th Rony and October 26th Yudi) RIP
She’s not honoured
Really good
fast track with lots of cymbal thrashing, consistent beats and more caustic
vocals but here there is another deeper vocal which compliments the track on
its journey.
Hatred in Mourn Heart
Deep demonic
vocal screams into life as an array of blast beats flurry like a stirring mass
of musical thunder. Good strong bass hooks and melodic guitar riffs really give
this track life.
The Valley of Unrest
A crunching of
drum beats and spasmodic cymbals accompanied by a deep cutting guttural vocal
as well as a more high pitched screaming vocal surrounded by very juicy melodic
rhythms with black metal tempos and strong bass lines.
A place to Prey
These guys
certainly have an appetite for rhythmically violent vocal tracks and deliver
yet more scathing, but complex melodic riffs and as a result it achieves an
interesting atmosphere with ground holding ability.
Hallucination of Psycho
This is a highly
delightful musical surprise with more of a dominating Thrash rhythm
incorporating black vocals and a drum beat that literally chatters like teeth
on a cold winter’s morning! Great rhythm and a great tonal sound all round.
Superb track!
The Satanic Place
Another
gratifying track composed of a cornucopia of fast percussion and melodious rhythms
offering an intense listen with harsh grating howls from the darkest hell and
sadly finishes far too soon.
To sum up:
Despite this
album being produced in 2007 it really has stood the test of time with the band
creating a superb dark atmosphere and yet giving their tracks the added melodic
guitar riffs and thrash element that is cleverly created and already there is a
new black metal forming in the name of Barzakh.
I am keen to find
out how the band sounds today and to see where their epic masterpieces, violent
rhythms and tortured vocals have brought them to in their musical career?
Their music is
not all the same although it is in keeping with the black metal theme and predominantly black but the added
surprises on this album far out-weigh the monotonous samey black metal and I
would hardly call this depressive as this has more bite than a crocodile! Barzakh
really do have potential, but sadly being in Indonesia there is little
chance of seeing them live unless they get signed and do a tour, but for now we
have the Internet and so that will sadly have to do! Great effort! Great music!
9/10
Track List:
Shadow in the grief
She’s not honoured
Hatred in Mourn Heart
The Valley of Unrest
A place to Prey
Hallucination of Psycho
The Satanic Place
Members:
Agni – Guitar/Vocal
Arvin – Drums
Getz - Bass
