With the song “Cleopatra,” from the 2018 EP Ground Zero, Marina Hebiishi and Mardelas achieve apotheosis, in the classical sense of the term. Indeed, Encyclopedia Brittanica defines the term as “elevation of an individual to the status of a god.” Mardelas has long trafficked in themes of badass women. With “Cleopatra,” they tackle the historical queen who is the archetype of the strong woman. “Cleopatra” begins with a synth-heavy mid-tempo theme, and guitarist Kikyo Oikawa quickly overlays a guitar theme. The band takes a quick detour down a Middle Eastern alley (because why would Mardelas content themselves with a single opening theme?). Finally Kikyo kicks into the riveting primary guitar riff.

Marina then sings of moonlit desert palaces and roses of gold, gladiators and tombs of treasures. As is Mardelas’ wont, a melodic pre-chorus leads into a spectacular chorus. Marina makes it pretty clear who is in charge. Because, well, the only lyrics in English are “Just one gaze, you’ll be my slave” and “to me you’ll bend the knee.” In the second verse, drummer Hideaki “Hot” Yumida goes completely off the grid of the beat. It’s hard to tell exactly what he’s doing. If counting “a-one-ee-and-a-two-ee-and-a-three-ee-and-a-four-ee,” you find yourself asking crazy questions like, “Is that beat actually between the “a” of “three-ee” and the “four?” Whatever “Hot” is doing, it is damned cool. Kikyo fires off a typically wild guitar solo. It’s basically impossible not to come away from Mardelas’ “Cleopatra” completely exhausted and satisfied. And, oh, hell yeah, you’ll bend the knee.