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This is the demo of an underground, and most likely very well hidden, Black Metal band from Saudi Arabia. Must be kept pretty secret because in that country, a band called Al-Namrood (the Non-Believers) is most likely illegal and endangered specie.

This trio is composed of vocalist Mukadars, Ostron (keyboards and drums) and Mephisto (guitar, bass and drums). Atba'a Al-Namrood consists of four songs, written in their Arabic tongue. Arabic/Oriental tones and Black Metal have always worked pretty well together, and it is no different on this disc. Those tonalities are either done by keyboards or with the more traditional instruments. I personally prefer the organic sounds of the traditional instruments, although the keys are doing a fine job here. I can hear two different types of Arabic instruments: some percussion that sounds like tam-tams, and some sort of string instrument (not mentioned in the info sheet). All the compositions demonstrate a good mixture of both styles, working together in great harmony. While all the songs are good, I enjoyed the last two ones more for the crafty use of traditional instruments, discrete rasps, atmospheric passages and a bit more of the epic feel.

Thanks to Shaytan Productions for promoting Black Metal from far away Saudi Arabia.