Kruha u Kefrija: Saħħar’s Descent into Ugliness & Cruelty 10 years on!

On June 19, 2015, black metal entity Saħħar released its third full-length album, Kruha u Kefrija—a title which translates to “ugliness and cruelty.” Issued independently, the record cemented Saħħar’s evolution from symphonic roots into a harsher, more caustic vision of black metal.

Sahhar - promo photo

Formed in 2006 by multi-instrumentalist Marton Saliba, Saħħar quickly gained a reputation as a one-man creative force within Malta’s underground scene. Over the years, Saliba—handling vocals, guitars, bass, drums, and keyboards—has produced a prolific discography that balances raw intensity with occasional ventures into experimental territory.

Crafting the Sound of Kruha u Kefrija

Though Saliba performed the bulk of the instrumentation on Kruha u Kefrija, he was joined by two guest musicians: Robert Spiteri (Patient Psychosis), who contributed lead guitar, and Bjorn Cutajar (Blutaxt) on bass. Both musicians have long histories within Malta’s extreme metal circles. Spiteri is known for his project Sorrow and for his time in acts such as Ammutseba, Majesty, and Moonlight Alive. Cutajar is currently active in Nokturnal Void, who released their debut Odiiu in 2022, and was also a member of Ammutseba for several years. Both have also stood beside Saħħar in live performances, strengthening their collaborative bond with Saliba.

Kruha u Kefrija artwork

Musically, the album unfolds across ten tracks that trace a journey from bleak atmospherics into relentless black and death metal savagery. It begins with the haunting introduction Ħelsien minn Ruħi, which sets the tone before the eruption of Triegħdet l-Art, a track defined by crushing power chords, frigid tremolo riffs, and Saliba’s cavernous growls. Pieces such as Il-Forka w il-Qawqab lean closer to a traditional Scandinavian black metal template, while others, like Bagħal Nobbli and Qerda ta’ Guf, revel in caustic aggression and heavy-handed riffing.

The record also includes reinterpretations that highlight Saħħar’s influences and boldness. The cover of Dimmu Borgir’s Master of Disharmony nods toward the project’s symphonic roots, while the instrumental rendition of E Nomine’s Qamar Iswed (Schwarze Sonne) provides an atmospheric interlude, contrasting with the otherwise abrasive tone of the album. The closing reprise of Il-Forka w il-Qawqab ties the record together, leaving listeners with a lingering echo of its grim intensity.

album launch poster

Critical Reception

Writing for The Metal Observer in November 2015, Shawn Miller (TheStormIRide) awarded the album 79%, observing that “Kruha u Kefrija continues Saħħar’s delving into the heavier end of the black metal spectrum.” Miller described the second track, Triegħdet l-Art, as a showcase of “barbaric, heavy handed power chords with frozen melodic tremolo riffing, all pushed forward with a surge of blasting percussion and Saliba’s deep and menacing growls.”

The review also noted that while certain elements felt experimental—such as the “mechanical vocalization and borderline industrialized groove riffing of ‘Priedka ta’ Telfien’”—the record as a whole was “an engaging and promising album that shows Saliba’s growing skills in production and songwriting.” Ultimately, Miller concluded that the music reflected the title: “The album’s title is ugliness and cruelty, and the music mirrors that.”

album launch performance @ Serenity, Marsa

Between Tradition and Innovation

Kruha u Kefrija demonstrates Saliba’s ability to merge raw, Scandinavian-inspired black metal with his own Maltese identity. Tracks like Il-Forka w il-Qawqab adhere to traditional tremolo-driven aggression, while Qamar Iswed (Schwarze Sonne), a cover of German project E Nomine, reveals Saħħar’s willingness to reframe outside influences through a blackened lens.

The decision to include a cover of Dimmu Borgir’s Master of Disharmony also nods to Saliba’s early symphonic influences, even as he pushes Saħħar further into unrelenting black/death territory.

Beyond Kruha u Kefrija

Far from being a static project, Saħħar has maintained a relentless release schedule since Kruha u Kefrija. Subsequent records include the EP Pjanetaċidju (2016), the full-length Kliem it-Tmiem (2017), and a string of EPs and albums such as Qilla tal-Qrun (2019) and Tiġrif tal-Ġnus (2020). Live albums like Nocte in Ruinis (2020) and Ruinis Melitensis (2024) further showcase the project’s vitality in performance.

Through each release, Saliba has remained faithful to black metal’s cold essence while continuing to experiment within its parameters.

Sahhar @ Xtreme Metal Assault 2015

A Decade of Ugliness and Cruelty

As of 2025, Kruha u Kefrija marks its 10th anniversary. A decade on, the album retains its corrosive power, standing as a milestone in Saħħar’s journey. It captures a pivotal moment where the project broke free from its symphonic past and carved out a distinct, uncompromising identity within black metal.

Kruha u Kefrija stands as a milestone in Saħħar’s career: a manifestation of Maltese black metal at its most uncompromising. With its thick production, feral riffing, and moments of unsettling experimentation, the record epitomizes the duality of its title—ugliness and cruelty—while affirming Saħħar as a voice distinct within the global black metal underground.

As Miller aptly summarized, “Saħħar still shows its influence proudly, but the band is really beginning to take on a sound of their own.”

On August 20th, 2025, Saħħar reflected on the album’s origins, recalling that its debut performance had also served as the launch event for Kruha u Kefrija. The occasion was more than a concert, encompassing loud music, bonfires, art, and even custom guitar exhibitions. The album itself marked a turning point, being the first Saħħar release professionally pressed at a printing company and showcasing a notable leap in production quality over its predecessor. Dedicated to the memory of two individuals who had been deeply important in Saliba’s life, the release still survives in only a handful of copies left and which can be obtained by contacting Marton personally.

Saħħar is set to return to the stage for its sole performance of 2025, appearing at the revived Extreme Metal Festival on October 18th at Tigulio. The event will feature Saħħar alongside ten other acts, marking a rare and unmissable live appearance from the Maltese black metal force.”