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 adventurous and bluesy seventh album diner coffee.

released: september 30, 2022

genre: black metal / experimental / jazz / blues

from: san francisco, usa

label: the flenser

a few thoughts: with every release, mamaleek continue pushing the boundaries of their music, well beyond the death metal genre. diner coffee is more of an avant-blues/rock album with jazz influences scattered throughout the 7 tracks on the album. “libations to sacred clowns” kicks the album off with crashing guitars, the sound of people laughing, and an unsettling and eerie tone that sets the tone of the album perfectly. “boiler room” has meandering melodies and heavy guitar riffs and leads that crash down, while simultaneously transitioning into a jazzy section, with wailing from the lead vocalist, and this meditative synth-led piece in the latter half of the track that is truly hypnotic, and the rumbles of the bassline and the singer’s voice makes for an arresting listen. the gorgeous melody on “badtimers” is incredible, as the piano-led piece meanders between gloomy and unassuming to light and beautiful. it’s one of their most fluid and quieter/more relaxed compositions. the short but punchy “save your poor wicked soul” has gorgeous oguitar leads and an atmospheric energy that is fantastic, while “grief and a headhunter’s rage” is a manic 8-minute piece that starts off with soft wind instrumentation and a rumbling bassline, as crashes into fast-paced guitar leads and the singers’s gravelly voice. the guitar leads and arpeggios are just stunning throughout. “wharf rats in the moonlight” has a groovy melody that quickly descends into a cacophony of sounds crashing down. the track then transitions to a moody and reflective piece that is lush and gorgeous in its own way. “diner coffee” is an excellent closer, and one of my favourite of their tracks. from meandering and meditative guitar leads and solos, stunning and arresting vocals, and a reflective and somber closer. this is a proper bluesy, jazzy piece that is a stunning representation of their eclectic nature and penchant for creating expansive, immersive soundscapes. diner coffee is amongst their more focused projects, as well as their lightest and furthest, sonically, from their heavy black metal sound of their first few projects. it’s an unbelievably good body of work.

the album: