Melechesh
// Ashmedi, guitarist and vocalistMELECHESH are a Mesopotamian black-metal band originally from Jerusalem, Israel, but now based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. “As Jerusalem Burns… Al’Intisar” (1996) was available from Breath Of Night Records, “Djinn” (2001), and “Sphynx” (2003) are both available from Osmose Productions, “The Ziggurat Scrolls [EP]” (2004) is available from Profound Lore Records, and “Emissaries” (2006) is available from Osmose Productions.
Website: www.melechesh.com
Photo: Melechesh / Melechesh.com
Interview:
Since Archaic times music has been used to put the mind into a state of trance. Whether Folk or Tribal music; the sound can lead people to a hypnotic and spiritual state. Music is derived from the brain and has a correlation to what is believed to be the concept of the human soul. Many notes and tones can hypnotize the brain to enter different states of consciousness. We can even call this spirituality if you like, as I certainly do. To this date such music does exist, and a clear example is from the Sufi sects. Sufi are a dissident and to a certain extent unaccepted form of Islam, because Sufis use music to reach hypnotic spiritual states, and they believe music can lead them to spiritual enlightenment. Many Indian ragas are aimed at spiritual elevation. How about Tibetan chants or Shamanic songs? Music has a spiritual significance, and I am one-hundred percent supportive of this statement. I often say music can make fantasy a reality. Music is real. and images in the brain or thoughts can be translated into music. Then thousands of people can share and experience the same visions as the composer. It’s primal, and I strongly believe that music can lead the brain into different dimensions. The brain is an enigma and is not fully used; so music is a natural tool that can lead the brain to spiritual places.
“Music is a natural tool that can lead the brain to spiritual places.”
– Ashmedi, guitarist and vocalist in Melechesh
