"Spotlight On Egypt" Scarab !

First of all I'd like to say that Scarab are a personal favorite for me, they are one of the best death metal band's hailing from Egypt.

The band blend's brutal death metal with melodies and "lyrical themes that are mainly about spirituality, theories and philosophy in how we perceive the world around us" to tie it all together into their own sound.

Here's a little more info about the band, taken from their Myspace Bio.

"Scarab was formed in the year 2006 in Cairo-Egypt sprouting from “Hatesuffocation” which had roots running since 2001 up till 2006 with 2 EPs released. The name Scarab is definitely influenced by the Egyptian roots of the band. These creatures became iconic in Ancient Egyptian culture and regarded as sacred due to the Scarab’s association with the sun god. During mummification they used to replace the heart of the dead with a scarab believing it would help with the rebirth in the afterlife. In that sense, the Scarab portrays the band’s ability to reinvent themselves, survive and rise over the obstacles in their path."

They are currently mastering their debut full length album "Blinding The Masses" which you can listen to a Pre-production preview of on their Official (awesomely designed) Myspace.

To get to know them a little better, I asked the band's guitarist Marzeban about their sound and lyrical theme, their upcoming plans, band's they would like to tour with, their influences and alot more.
Here's how it went:

TMR: Can you describe your sound and lyrical theme ?

Marzeban: Our sound is all about the melodies we construct through out a track, which melodies to choose is what defines us.

Scarab's music came out from the heavy, deep and complicated feelings, emotions, thoughts and experiencesm, we express all this through heavy, powerful, raw and brutal yet melodic music that matches our identity and musical influences.

About the lyrical theme it is mainly about Spirituality, theories and philosophy in how we perceive the world around us. We speak about the past, comparing it to the present and predicting the outcome in the future grasping all that has been imprisoned and releasing it to the fans hoping for an evolution.



TMR: Can you tell me about your writing process ?

Marzeban: Scarab’s music writing process is a prolonged and carefully thought out one. Patience is essential because if anything is rushed it will immediately translate in the music. we usually write guitar riffs and lines first and everything else is then taken step by step. we are always on similar musical wavelengths allowing everything to fall into place. It will generally take a month to put out a perfectly constructed track.



TMR: Who are some of your main influences ?

Marzeban: A Lot of bands trigger inspirations to the way they write and most of all leadership out of all of us I think Opeth/Morbid Angel/Nile/Bolt Thrower/Immolation/Behemoth/Vader/
Iron Maiden/Camel/Porcupine Tree/Malevolent Creation/Anata and an endless list of other
talented musicians.



TMR: Hows everything coming along with your new album ?

Marzeban: Blinding the masses album is coming out great. At the moment we are at the final stage which is the mastering process which basically polishes everything, and the album release date will be announced soon.



TMR: Do you guys plan on playing any upcoming shows ?

Marzeban: Well there might be a couple of local shows next month and the month after for now.



TMR: Who are some of the middle eastern bands that you enjoy listening to ?

Marzeban: Oath to Vanquish(Lebanon) - Nervecell(UAE) - Deathless Anguish (KSA) - Tyrant Throne (JOR)



TMR: Which bands are you currently listening to ?

Marzeban:
The Forensic (Mexico)

Benediction killing music 08
Dawn of Demise
Yattering
Municipal Waste
Psycroptic's Ob Servant 08

TMR: Aside from Scarab, what are your interests ?

Marzeban:We all have other interests of course some to which music is just irrelevant.

Hatem: Is an Athlete and Enjoys working out and Marshall Arts Sports
Bombest: Is into creative designing and is into cinematography
Samy: Spirituality, Meditation and works in writing and composing music for Egyptian movies.
Tarek: A guitarist with a passion and is currently interested in writing awesome riffage.

I am interested in music and most of all meeting and getting to know metal friends from all over and by sharing the same music!



TMR: Who would you personally like to tour with ?

Marzeban: All the bands from the middle east around the world!
this is a lineup we would like to go around the world with

WORM
Deathless Anguish
Tyrant Throne
Oath to Vanquish
Nerve Cell
Bilocate
KAOTEON
Augury
KIMAERA
AJDATH
Wasted Land
Grieving Age

A 2 day festival of middle eastern and pan Arab Metal! Hell yeah!

Then May be catch a tour with immolation !!!!!!



TMR: Would you like to add anything ?

Marzeban: Thanks for all the supporters out there you guys know who you are. and thanks to you for interviewing Scarab.peace and prosperity to all! Keep it Real.
we will keep the myspace page active and updated for now, by then our official website release would be ready to go, so stay tuned metal heads!


I'd like to thank Marzeban for taking the time to answer my questions, I seriously cant wait to listen to "Blinding The Masses" !

Dont forget to check out the band's Myspace to listen to their 2007 EP "Valley Of The Sandwalkers" and also the Pre-production audio clip for "Blinding The Masses"