DJINN-GHÜL is an Experimental/Brutal Death Metal duo whose members hail from Denver, Colorado and Bolivar, Venezuela. "Mechalith" is the group's second EP, released by Vicious Instinct Records on December 9, 2021.

This EP is...a lot to handle. Chaotic doesn't even begin to describe the insanity that unfolds within the 14-minute run time of this record. First of all, it's hardly needs to be said, but there are a bunch of very obvious nods to MESHUGGAH, from the eight string guitars to the Industrial elements the group incorporates here. Of course, the band does not get polyrhythmic, but that's neither here nor there - the MESHUGGAH stamp is there. Second of all, as a former dubstep fan, this whole EP felt like the Metal equivalent of a dubstep drop. Substitute the heavy guitars for synthesized growl sounds and you're immediately transported to Burning Man circa 2012, replete with the girls wearing neon clothes and dudes rolling on too much Molly.

I've got to say, this album really left me feeling confused - I'm not sure if I enjoy it or not. There are parts that I listen to and think, "holy crap this is amazing," such as the 0-to-100 start of "Pleonexia," or the Black Metal-inspired middle section of "Drosera." But taken as a whole - and you can feel free to call me a weenie all you want about this - the album is too heavy for me. There is way too much going on for me to fully process all of the elements at play here. Of course, this may very well have been the duo's intention. After all, they have taken several pages out of MESHUGGAH's play book, and I can't possibly think of a more chaotic band than those guys. But even MESHUGGAH offers moments of reprieve in their music.

I have a feeling this EP is going to keep me up at night - and not in a good way. Through and through, this album felt like a horrible acid trip, and I have never once dabbled in psychedelics, nor do I intend to. DJINN-GHÜL, congratulations. You are the first Metal band to ever scare the shit out of me. Too bad I didn't enjoy it that much.