If you are into Death Metal there is a pretty good chance that you are familiar with Beheaded. The premier extreme metal band from Malta is in the game since 1991 and so far the guys have released seven full-length albums, including the one reviewed here: ‘Għadam’. What is interesting here is that the album is made completely in Maltese language and is a concept one, based on the works of the horror author from Malta Anton Grasso, who is being compared to Stephen King from what I read. I have never seen any of his books but probably I will do something about that after listening to ‘Għadam’.
What makes impression after the beginning of ‘Għadam’ is that Beheaded are not so brutal anymore but much more atmospheric. The aggression is here, you can hear the blasting drumming, the heavy guitar riffing and the roars of Frank Calleja but there is also a keyboard sound in the background that brings ominous feeling like in ‘Xtrajt L-Infern’. At places the new Beheaded work reminds me a lot of Behemoth in their latest records with more bombastic sound. And then come the clean singing on ‘B’nicket Inhabbru L-Mewt’ which is definitely not something that I like, plus a Black Metal riffing in the same track. ‘Ihirsa’ offers some good old aggression in the sound plus a melodic guitar lead and strong keyboard presence mixed with the blast beats. Some Morbid Angel guitar riffs may be heard in ‘Il-Kittieb’ mixed with melody in the vein of the Gothenburg sound such as early In Flames. And that’s all that can be said about ‘Għadam’.
This one is definitely Beheaded’s most experimental album. If it is successful experiment or not is up to the listener. I miss the brutal aggression of the old days but besides that ‘Għadam’ offers some interesting moments, the band consists of experienced musicians who are not afraid to tread in some new musical territories. If you feel curious check this album out.
