Entry 240 - Dakhma - Blessings of Amurdad

 

The first thing that caught my attention with this album was the cover. It had a desolate feel that hinted at music that was desolate and barren. From a place where life itself is a cruel mistress and survival is a minute by minute endeavour.

After hearing The Stench of the Wretched I can firmly confirm that the music contained within this album matches the cover perfectly. This music is methodical, unforgiving, and unrelenting in its brutality. Every riff has no care if you live or die, it merely exists to bring suffering into the world. This is the way of Dakhma.

There is quite a bit more going on here than just the cruelness of the music. There is a healthy dose of dark ambient soundscapes that are used at opportune times throughout the songs to enhance the atmosphere. These short interludes are mostly comprised of wind or oriental instrumentation. While short they add quite a bit to the overall sound of the album, so much so that without them the album would be lacking that something extra that excellent albums contain.

I first heard this album over a year ago, but didn't pick up the CD, I knew I wanted this one on wax. The more I listen to this album the stronger it becomes. There is a lot for the ears to feast on with this dark monolith of an album, and feast I shall as this thing will not be leaving my table for at least a few more spins.