Arallu – DMoon – From the Ancient World (Review)

Arallu are black metal band from Israel and this is their latest release.

I’m a sucker for a new Arallu release, (check out Geniewar, Six, Desert Battles – Descending to the Sands (2018), En Olam, and Death Covenant). This record doesn’t contain any new songs though, at least, not in the way you might be expecting. Rather, it’s a complete rerecording of 2005’s The Demon from the Ancient World.

DMoon – From the Ancient World offers up a contemporary spin on an ancient vision. The songs haven’t just been rerecorded, but they’ve been tweaked and enriched through the prism of modern knowledge and skill. If you are familiar with the original album at all, then think of this as the definitive, expanded, enhanced version. Less raw, more refined, and severely potent.

Arallu have created a storming version of a classic record. It’s black metal, with a ferocious core and raw emotive fire burning in its heart. Fleshing this out are an array of barbed riffs ready to tear the flesh of the unwary, and Middle Eastern symphonic and folk elements that are expressive and evocative. I’ve always liked Arallu’s idiosyncratic take on songwriting. Their black metal is frequently interesting and atypical, offering the listener a mixture of raging blackened aggression, uncommon ancient atmosphere, and a depth of immersive texture and detailing.

As a fan of the original, I have to say that this reimagining of the material has been a wild success. The songs have been stripped back and rebuilt, meaning that DMoon – From the Ancient World manages to be both the same album and almost something entirely new and different. While the songs will be familiar to anyone who knows the original, they’ll also sound freshly reinvented, delivered with clarity of vision, and carrying enough alterations to provide a new experience. Basically, this is a great album, one that doesn’t replace the old one, but sits alongside it as a new entity arisen from the old.

Arallu’s new record is a strong addition to their discography, and it’s a thoroughly enjoyable collection of songs. DMoon – From the Ancient World is an exemplar of detailed songcraft. It balances hostility and atmosphere, while providing a portrait of a grand detailed soundscape, filled with esoteric threats, mystical visions, and dark mystery.

Essential listening.