“Damascus Steel” is the 4th full-length release from English chainmail-wearing lunatics THE MEADS OF ASPHODEL, and is likely the most mature release to date from JD, Metatron and Co. - featuring guest musicians and styles from the world over. Being the only band I know to mix black metal roots with hypnotic 70’s space rock, “Damascus Steel” continues in that same vein, and continues the lyrical themes from their 1999 demo “Jihad” – exploring the conflicts between eastern and western religions throughout history - right up to the events of 9/11 and Al Qaeda. (“Damascus Steel” was originally intended to be an EP released in May 2005, but the band found they had more material than expected, and delayed the release for several months to make it a full length LP).
Whilst some may scoff at the band’s somewhat eccentric image and soundscape, the MEADS should not be mistaken for a “leave your brain at the door” type of band. Their albums require the listener to engage their brain – the music and lyrics taking you on a historical and geographical journey from east to west, from life to death, from religion to war. There are subtleties and plenty of irony here, thus, actually requiring effort from the listener. Don’t let the religion thing put you off either – rather than the usual overdone black metal angle of “isn’t Jesus crap, all Christians are hypocrites” the MEADS tend to look at the bigger picture - and explore the history and faults of religions and governments throughout the ages – including the bad ones. After all, why annoy just one group when you can annoy them all?
After the topical intro “Psalm 666” featuring samples of eastern music, TV sound bites and notably Mr. Popular himself George Bush - a clatter of drums and a few blast beats signals the start of “Creed of Abraham” - a venomous opener that throws a curveball by turning into a slow 70’s groove by it’s end. Next up is the synth heavy “Hollow Womb of Suicide” harking back to earlier “Excommunication of Christ” material – and featuring a haunting female vocal section along with clattering Arabian bongos (well, they might be Arabian).
Other highlights include a cover of HAWKWIND’s “Sword of the East”, a brilliantly twisted (if a little daft) take on Louis Armstrong’s “Wonderful World”, also “The Gods Who Mock Us” - which goes from rasping blasphemous ranting to a Hammond organ lounge groove - and back again, and then there’s the traditional epic MEADS album closer with an equally epic title “Behold the Kindred Battle Carcasses Strewn Across the Bloodied Dunes of Gilgamesh, Mute in the Frenzied Clamour of Death's Rolling Tongue and Ravenous Bursting Steel”. Rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it? Proof then, that a band can tackle serious issues and still have a sense of humour. (If you can get your hands on the ltd edition with the bonus track “Beyond Death and Darkness” this is also well worth the listen – particularly as it’s 11 minutes long).
Of course, while I heap praise on the album, I realise this may be an acquired taste - the general oddness of the MEADS is not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. A lot of people can’t seem to get past the vocal style – while one singer has a more traditional “rasping” black metal style, the other is akin to a gravel voiced, heavy smoking and slightly disgruntled pub landlord.
While some of this may all sound very silly and tongue in cheek, the actual content & message on offer here is quite the opposite. For the most part, “Damascus Steel” is a very bleak and desolate album. According to lead man Metatron: “Death means nothing, Life means less”. There is no solution on offer here: the MEADS aren’t bringing their chainmail and their swords to fight the evils of the world. The world is going to hell in a handcart – the MEADS are just here to tell you why.
Standout Tracks: Hollow Womb of Suicide, Creed of Abraham, Gilgamesh.
