Maltese black metal entity SAĦĦAR signs to Time To Kill Records

Maltese black metal entity SAĦĦAR has officially joined the roster of Time To Kill Records, marking a new chapter in its ever-evolving path.

Emerging from a scene far removed from the genre’s more saturated circuits, SAĦĦAR brings with it a distinct identity shaped by isolation, heritage, and a deeply personal artistic vision.

The upcoming full-length album promises a refined take on the project’s signature sound: a form of black metal infused with fresh dynamics, subtle melodic undercurrents and a pervasive sense of decay that envelops the material in a bleak, almost otherworldly atmosphere.

Balancing aggression and introspection, the new work aims to push further into expressive territory while maintaining the raw essence that has defined SAĦĦAR’s output to date.

More details about the album will be revealed soon.

SAĦĦAR began as the brainchild of Marton Saliba, with the aim of creating harsh and extreme music rooted in black metal. From the outset, the project has balanced raw, blast-beat-driven tracks with more mid-tempo material enriched by synths and samples, often blending these elements together. Most of the lyrics are written in Maltese, SAĦĦAR’s native language. The first demo, “Genesis of Demise”, followed a year later by the album “Maġija Sewda”, gained attention both locally and within the wider underground scene during the MySpace era.

Following the well-received split “Thine Triumphant Death” and a subsequent album that was never officially released, SAĦĦAR entered an indefinite hiatus. The project returned in 2013 with renewed intensity through the EP “Mera Mkissra”, showcasing a stronger focus on folklore elements, mid-tempo pacing, and synth-heavy arrangements. From then on, SAĦĦAR maintained a steady output, releasing an average of one EP or album per year until 2020, when the pandemic brought activities to a halt—though writing and studio work continued in preparation for future releases.

The release of the 2015 album “Kruha u Kefrija” also marked SAĦĦAR’s live debut, leading to performances supporting acts such as Destroyer 666, black metal legends Mayhem, and industrial outfit Gothminister. During the pandemic, SAĦĦAR remained active by contributing to online events, including Metal Injection’s “Slayathome” series and the Grimfest online festival.

In early 2020, SAĦĦAR was nominated at the Malta Music Awards in both the “Metal” and “Album in Maltese” categories for “Qilla tal-Qrun”, which was well received within the scene. In late 2022, the project embarked on its first tour with a live lineup, spanning nine consecutive days across four countries (Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Romania), marking an important step forward in its live evolution.

SAĦĦAR’s sound can be described as “ruinous” black metal—combining grand, larger-than-life symphonic elements with minimal, almost doom-like riffs, as well as intense tremolo-driven passages and ambient, synth-based compositions. This wide-ranging approach is reflected in a discography of over 100 songs. Lyrical themes range from occult and folklore-inspired narratives to death, misanthropic catastrophes, and occasional critiques of organized religion.