the week between the 27th october – 31st october 2025 will be a celebration of a band that i’ve been kinda obsessed with since discovering them a few months ago. formed by two anonymous brothers in san francisco, usa, back in 2008 (also recording in beirut, lebanon), mamaleek have been creating some of the most intense metal music, often jazzy, ambient, prog-rock or psychedelic rock influenced. 8 albums in, the obscure band have become one of the most expansive, daring bands out there, continuously refining yet expanding their sound, exploring new sonic landscapes through different genres and energies. excited to delve into their incredible discography! next up, their bold and visionary fifth album out of time.

released: august 31, 2018

genre: black metal / experimental / jazz

from: san francisco, usa

label: the flenser

a few thoughts: mamaleek’s fifth album out of time is an expansive body of work, with a wide array of different influences and crazy compositions that make this one of their most varied and versatile albums to date. the evocative opener “if i had this time” is a beautiful, meditative introduction to the album, as it shifts gear with the hellish and overwhelming “sicarii”, with another angsty track that features heavy guitar leads, heavy drumming and a tribal energy to it that is restless and hypnotic. the sluggish and gloomy “tree sonorous” has a lightness to it via some of the guitar leads throughout that add to the texture of the track, while “god is the irrational number” is an incredible track. the jazzy influence, with the subtle percussion, the groovy guitar leads and the muffled vocal leads that are sprinkled over the subdued, melodic and unsettling instrumental, makes for an emphatic listen. “the recompense is real” starts with lyrics in arabic, with a sweet, pleasant melody throughout. the vocals turn gravelly as he continues meditating on his thoughts in english. it’s an eerie and slow-paced track that builds over time and is a highlight on the album. the building energy on “doomed beast” is excellent, with its eerie, drum-heavy composition, that has these desert rock leads that are just incredible from start to finish. “out of love” has these heavy thumping drums, and brings their west asian influences on this track, with arabic vocals making an appearance too. the gentle guitar melodies in the closing moments of the album make it a pleasant way to close out the track. “lapis lazuli” is an off-kilter yet animated short interlude, while “where is the friend’s house?” is another subdued, lush and beautiful moment on the album. “my master, my father, my author” is straight up a hip-hop song. the thumping beat, the guitar licks, the bassline and the claps all make this a groovy, funky beat. the arabic vocals cut are just insane, and the rumbling energy that proceeds is just incredible. pure funky hip-hop production. “the last is the first” is a chilling, disorienting and muffled track, while “almost dead dog” is more of a prog-rock track, with more enunciated lyrics and vocals, and an atmospheric, building energy to the music that makes for a colourful listen. the gorgeous guitar leads on “absolute knowing” are soft and beautiful, with as they contrast with the pummelling and hard-hitting drums throughout. the various guitar melodies and solos are incredible throughout, while “at the shrine of that freedom whose cause you had betrayed” has subtle harmonica leads that complement the heavy drumming and the eclectic soundscapes, but there’s a pleasant atmosphere to this track that sounds atmospheric, with oud melodies that are just infectious throughout. the guitar melody at the end of the track is peaceful and poignant. it’s a terrific way to close out a sonically varied and fascinating release. out of time might be their most dense project in terms of the amount of ideas and influences they bring forward on this album. it’s more of a meditative, subdued listen, yet with many intense and interesting moments that are just so immersive throughout.

the album: