Melechesh

Melechesh is an ethnically Assyrian black metal band formed in Jerusalem and currently based in Amsterdam. Ashmedi started the band as a solo project in 1993. The following year, guitarist Moloch and drummer Lord Curse joined the line-up. The band's goal was to play black metal with Middle Eastern influences based on Assyrian (Mesopotamian) and occult themes. The band described their sound as "Mesopotamian metal" or "Sumerian Black Thrashing Metal". They are sometimes referred to as oriental metal.