MAATKARE
Rise To Power
MAATKARE was a name used by several royal women of Ancient Egypt, but it’s the Pharaoh Hatshepsut’s royal title that is referenced here. It’s apt then, to be the name given to this powerful outfit whose debut album “Rise To Power” has been promised for some time but is now finally unleased.
The rise of female singers in death metal has been a welcome dynamic in recent years, and it follows that our sisters who love the extreme would eventually make inroads on one of the most male-dominated genres. Enter MAATKARE, a three-piece who draw their influences from the likes of Nile, Scarab, Behemoth, Arch Enemy and Kataklysm.
This is no garage band of green ones though, for the trio bring with them many years of experience in their other bands. Bassist Amie Chatterley is a renowned musician through her work with Dakesis and WomenOwar, Georgia Bell is session guitarist for That Yella Harper and vocalist Janneke de Rooy has experience with Beyond The Pale.
Formed in 2020, the band has been teasing us with early singles including the opening track “War Before Peace”, “May The Gods Bear Witness” as well as the title track and recent song “Black Death”. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and the test for all is whether “Rise To Power” can cut it. The answer is a defiant yes.
The album explores themes of conflict, power and legacy, all set in the ancient conflicts between the Roman Empire and the rise of Egyptian civilisation. It’s a compelling listen from the atmospheric introduction of “War Before Peace” through the closing “Realm Of The Dead”. Savage snarling vocals are very much in keeping with the death metal label, but De Rooy enunciates in a way that allows the listener to hear the words and absorb the storytelling that unfolds.
Musically, it’s very solid indeed. I assume the drums are programmed but they don’t sound too artificial, whilst Chatterley’s bass lines anchor everything. But she’s not just laying down the low end but adding runs that enhance and provide wider breadth to the tracks. Whilst the intensity of the opening salvo hits hard, there are moments of calm. “Maatkare“ shows a melodic side, with some neat work from Bell on a song that slows the tempo slightly to great effect.
There is plenty of good stuff here. “Long Live The Queen” is a compelling story, played out in savage style. The ferocity of “Judgement Day” sees MAATKARE at their most visceral, a pounding brute of a track that races along at speed, yet there is always an element of control here that keeps the song accessible yet retains the energy needed.
At 32-minutes and comprising eight songs, MAATKARE have chosen quality over quantity. It’s an approach that works well, for the songs stick and remain in the mind long after its finished. It also leaves a desire to listen again and again, and this is easily achieved. Several plays later, and I’m very keen to see this band in the flesh. Their clever use of additional effects on tracks like “Black Death” works superbly, yet they are not overused. “Rise To Power” is a fine debut, and the world of death metal is a better place because of this release.
Paul Hutchings