Hi my friends, hope you are well, so during one of my adventures, meandering across this green and pleasant genre, I came across this lesson in metal eloquence and elegance. The perpetrators are Azaab, the Urdu word for ‘punishment’ and they visit us all the way from Pakistan. Formed in 2016 the line up comprises Saad Latif – vocals, Shahab Khan – guitars, Afraz Mamoon – guitars, Waqar Ghayas – bass and Adhytia Perkasa -drums, and how they have created this ear worm I’ll never know. We start with a little creepy strumming, and at 0.50 you get the initial wallop over the head to let you know what is about to happen, your internal organs looking desperately for somewhere to hide. Although there is power, rage, fear and such emotions blazing through your body, there is a touch of Gothic, dare I say it, romanticism too, it is delicately handled yet as brazen as a hussy. We experience a little tech, a little prog, a little Goth, a little industrial to complete our enrichment and embrace the circle of Death metal.
The singed vocal terror of Saad advances, fearless and profound, ever forward and Hell bound with words that mirror the twisted scenario we live in ‘the purest evil, ever evolving, laying its eggs’ an accurate assessment of the torment we suffer. Derailed by this eye opening, discerning take on life, we soldier on, only to be met by the ‘Preachers of Hate’ now please don’t get me started on this, I am not against religion or people practising what they believe but what fucking annoys me is the flagrant hypocrisy that goes with it. Again, it’s those in charge, ‘men of God who serve the beast’ sums it up perfectly, a well-aimed kick to the crotch. We continue through the rotting corpses to discover ‘Trophies of Flesh’ a grisly glance into Ed Gein territory with reasoning and consideration that can be applied to our lives, the line ‘ led here by choices I made not for myself’ is telling and intuitive.
A cover version is a sparkling embellishment to this album, listen to ‘The Empty Throne’ from our friends Decapitated, seen here through the eyes of Azaab.
There is a constant stream of provocative, precise and hugely entertaining riffage, a masterclass in arrangements and product development. A significant album for the metal archives, one that will resonate for years to come, and I don’t normally do the top ten lists, if I did this would be amongst it. A creature borne of loss, injury, relegation, and manipulation, seeks your attention and favour and ultimately a contender for residence in your heart. With tales of incarceration and evisceration, armed with food from the Gods, it’s time to sup with the devil and end this reign of sin.
Azra Pathan
Azaab – Summoning The Cataclysm out now via Satanath Records