As long as conflict rips the world apart, all of us feed a set of wrong ideas. One of them is: how can a country with legal problems with human rights breed Metal bands? Yes, because it's a trace of religions to impose their moral into the government and laws on theocratic states, no matter what religion is. Religion (any one of them) can be oppressive, and on Pakistan, a country where the human rights aren't respected (the info this writer have in hands can be checked here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Pakistan

There's Metal resistance: AZAAB is here, releasing "Summoning the Cataclysm", the band's first album. Their musical work is in a way between classic Death Metal and Technical Death Metal (because the band isn't abusing of the instrumental technique, using it as the songs ask for), with clear influences of names as IMMOLATION, SUFFOCATION, MORBID ANGEL, CANNIBAL CORPSE and others, but using a personal approach and an amazing energy to build very good songs. Yes, these guys are presenting a really amazing work for a first album, with charming musical arrangements and massive Death Metal hooks.

Shahab Khan is the name of the guy that signs the mixing and the mastering of "Summoning the Cataclysm". Again, a misconception falls to the ground: one could think of a bad sonority, but's the opposite. Yes, the band shows a very good sonority, defined in a point that everything can be understood, but brutal with a massive impact that's hard to see. And some guests can be heard on the album: Bobby Koelble on the guitar solo on "When Worlds Collide", Philippe Tougas on the guitar solo on "The Infernal Citadel", and Nicholas Vahdias and Aissam El Hassani on the vocals on "Carbon Plague".

The musical work shown on "Summoning the Cataclysm" shows a level of maturity that's really surprising. And "Carbon Plague" (a brutal and oppressive song filled with a good technical work and excellent grunts on the vocals), "A Hollow Pact" (based on a strong and brutal playing of bass guitar and drums, and it creates a fine set of rhythmic contrasts), "Preachers of Hate" and "When Worlds Collide" (both showing a great technical work and catchy energy, and the attack of guitar riffs is really excellent), and "B.L.O.O.D.B.O.R.N." (a brutal song with a massive energy, and what good technical work once more) are the right ones for a first time on their work. And pay attention to their version for DECAPITATED's "The Empty Throne" as well.

"Summoning the Cataclysm" is really a very good work, and shows that AZAAB deserves applause. Check it as soon as you can!