Al-Namrood - Heen Yadhar Al Ghasq LP

The theocracy in Saudi Arabia recently gave its penal code a revamping, ostensibly to bring the kingdom’s policies in line with those of Western nations regarding the proper identification and handling of terrorist suspects. Being an atheist, throwing away one’s loyalty to the state, and seeking to “shake the social fabric or national cohesion” are all exemplary ways to be recognized as a threat to the security of the Saudi state. Fortunately, there’s one metal band in Saudi Arabia who seeks to shake the social fabric: Al-Namrood.

Al-Namrood are pure Arabian folk metal the way Panopticon is pure American folk metal. The sound is distinctly Arabian, complete with native instruments, bombastic Arabic vocals, and oriental scales, structured in a manner that departs from what could be considered “traditional” metal.

Until recently, Al-Namrood’s sound has mixed black metal with an Arabian folk aesthetic. But on Heen Yadhar Al Ghasq the band has evolved away from the blackened sound toward something distinctly their own - The Metal Injection