Review: “In the Name of the Goddess” by Mnajdra

Inspired by Malta’s long history of goddess worship dating back to ancient times, the follow up to the critically acclaimed 2023 self titled album from Mnajara is an intriguing prospect. Named after a megalithic temple complex found on the southern coast of the Mediterranean island of Malta, which dates back to a time before the pyramids were built in Egypt, the band remain shrouded in mystery aside from referring to themselves as a US Black Metal outfit. Their debut album drank from the poison chalices of many, combining elements from Black, Death, Doom, Sludge, Post and even Psychedelic forms of Metal in order to create ominous tales of oblivion, as otherworldly in atmosphere as it is bleak in nature…

After a distinctive swirling Death Metal introduction “Mouth of the Wind” flies into Black Metal with blast beats and tremolo picked guitars creating a sonic air of majesty. Banshee wailed caustic vocals sound as if they are the call from the void, deliberately placed deeper into the mix so as to come from behind the guitars in an almost ghostly fashion. Dark and brooding with a nice atmospheric tension, the opening cut serves its purpose well by not only selling the prospect of what is to come but setting the stage for it. Cooling the raging inferno “Bastion” then offers up a slower burning affair with a shoegazing quality to it in the first third that lulls the discerning listener into a false sense of security because the vocals are yet to be exposed. Rising like a demon from the black depths for a fleeting moment before settling back into those bleak almost Doom laden atmospherics gives it a real sense of a harrowing nature despite the rich mournful melodies. Urgent and unflinching the opening passage of “Anna Perenna” cuts against the grain of the previous track, raising the hairs on the back of the neck in doing so. While the overall sound is on the rawer side, the drums are clean and crisp as they pound the skull into oblivion and the talents of whoever graces the drum stool are obvious. Almost ethereal vocal passages swirl from the ether as tempos shift like desert sands as the wind blows, the band torturing the soul of the lister in doing so. Eerie, haunting and dare we say esoteric, the balance is of a well written psychological horror tale as “The Maymūna Stone” unfolds. Arguably the finest moment of the album, the track successfully creates alchemy by combining all the elements Mnajdra have to offer. Sinister moments add to a bubbling cauldron of an atmosphere that boils over with restless and relentless blast beats in classical Black Metal style and while the sound was a little thin in places on their self titled record, there is none of that here.

Sending chills down the spine, icy instrumental “Oracle Chamber” feels like a walk through a frostbitten Scandinavian forest at dawns first light. Once again choosing the slow built “At Earliest Dawn” transitions from a Doom laden opening few minutes into Black Metal of sonic intensity with masterful execution. The power that Mnajdra are able to wield is incredible, their musicianship clearly honed by many years spent at the grindstone in the rehearsal room. There is such a dark elegance to this track that it defies logic and yet burns to be with the harrowing, demented and unhinged vocals that call from the abyss. They have a quality to them that at times makes them feel like an embellishment rather than a necessity because instrumentally the band capture the imagination without being dependant on them. A walk into the flames of hell in self immolation “Calypso” has rousing vibrant moments that rise and fall during its eight minutes of glorious rapture, the contrast in darkness and light it offers being nothing short of majestic. It is without question that this album requires a grand auditorium to be performed live, such is its magnitude, depth and texture. A grand finale is called for and “For the Son of Bat, the King” offers that, laced with mournful melancholia and bitter screams as the band build the mountain one final time. Harsh and barren, the apocalyptic wasteland beckons with a sense of impending doom which comes to fruition with a heavier passage shortly after the mid section. Ending on a final majestic note, “In the Name of the Goddess” will have you wondering what you just heard [8.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Mouth of the Wind
2. Bastion
3. Anna Perenna
4. The Maymūna Stone
5. Oracle Chamber (Instrumental)
6. At Earliest Dawn
7. Calypso
8. For the Son of Bat, the King

“In the Name of the Goddess” by Mnajdra is out 9th August 2024 via Fiadh Productions and is available over at bandcamp