Didymos 
Artist: Malchus 
Label: Soundmass 
Length: 9 tracks / 52:06 min
http://www.malchus.hox.pl/
http://www.myspace.com/malchus777

If there were ever a reason for a non-Polish speaker to check out a Polish band, Malchus is it.  Their style generally focuses on the instruments and the vocals are not a distraction, even if you can't understand them.

Malchus is beautifully technical black metal, ala Opeth, but with a tone far less gothic and more in line with the hopefulness of a Dream Theater.  The song constructions are very progressive and melodic, with the occasional Sabbath groove, ambience provided by versatile keyboards and guitars reminiscent of early Metallica.

And just in case you have to know what they are saying, the liner notes provide the lyrics in Polish with translations in English.  The title track is about the Apostle Thomas (also called Didymos) who believed because he saw the resurrected Jesus.  The other songs deal with Biblical themes as well, liberally quoting directly from the Scriptures.  And since it's all in Polish, it's an easy album to share with non-Christians and not get complaints about the lyrics.

Malchus is not as technically skilled on their instruments as an Opeth or Dream Theater (who is?!), but they are outstanding songwriters and do a remarkable job of creating the same level of atmospherics throughout Didymos.  Definitely a band to keep on your radar.

Dan Singleton 
September 12, 2010