Egyptian Death Metal band Scarab recently launched their new (awesomely designed) website at ScarabEgypt.com.
The band's debut full length album "Blinding The Masses" is currently available in Egypt, you can get a copy by contacting the band here. Scarab has already been working on their follow up album which should be ready in a couple of months.

"We haven't been updating lately, since we have so much on our hand at the moment... for instance, new album will be wrapped up within the next couple of months and the its title will be announced soon.

For now, we announce the launch of Scarab's website at http://www.scarabegypt.com Head over there and check it out.

Thanks for all the support we've been receiving in the mail and here on MySpace's messages and friend adds.

"Blinding The Masses" is now available in Egypt, just send us a message on MySpace and we'll send you the details."

Rock Era is an online Egyptian music magazine that is specialized in the field of Rock, Metal, Blues and Jazz music in Egypt and abroad since the year 2004.

The Magazine's main goal is to promote underground local and international bands to be well-known in Egypt and around the world.

The night will include performances by:

• Wyvern
• On Thronez
• Offbeat
• Downtown Blues

As well as a guest band to be announced.


Sponsored by:

Cairo Jazz Club and Sonic Ltd.

Click here to visit Rock Era Mag!

"METAL BLAST" is a new festival taking place in Cairo, Egypt on July 20th. The show will be featuring some of Egypt's most popular bands, with performances by Scarab (winners of "United We Rock") Dark Philosophy, Amulet (mother fuck yea!) and alot more.

The show's line up will be:

- Scarab ( Egyptian Death Metal )[Originals]
- Beyond East ( Extreme Oriental Metal) [Originals]
- Dark philosophy ( Black Metal ) [Originals]
- Your Prince Harming (Hardcore/Screamo ) [Originals/Covers]
- Destiny In Chains (Metalcore/Hardcore) [Originals/Covers]
- Serenade (Hard rock/alternative Metal) [Originals/Covers]
- Amulet (Thrash Metal ) [Metallica/Sepultura]
- Virtual chaos ( Old School thrash Metal ) [Originals]

Opening Act: Proximus [Progressive Metal]

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For ticket booking Contact the Organizers or Rock Era Magazine . Tickets are 60 L.E. on door. buses will be available from Alexandria including the ticket more info for the contacts will be available soon.; moreover, there are limited amount of tickets, so try to book before the concert.

Doors will be open at 3 PM , The show will begin at 3:30 SHARP by the opening act Proximus.

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Click here for the event's official Facebook page.

It's been a while since I posted anything under the "Spotlight" series, but I got something interesting for all fans of Experimental Rock.

Feed Me! is an Egyptian Experimental Rock band, hailing from Cairo. The band recently released their debut album "Marching Stickmen" for free download. The album is basically a laid back instrumental, with a ton of trippy stuff going on.


Here's a little more info about the band from their Official Myspace:


Feed Me is a 3-piece band from Cairo, Egypt. The band was formed in late 2008 by longtime friends Nader Ahmed, Mohammed Ashraf 'SikSik', and Ahmed Abdel Aziz 'ZiZO'. Their music lies somewhere between Electronica & Post Rock and influenced greatly by their different musical backgrounds. All three members of Feed Me! are also in Progressive/Alternative Rock band Headcase.



Here's the tracklisting/cover art for the album, followed by a download link:


1. Hello World (4:15)

2. Painting Space (5:19)

3. Losing Everything (5:12)

4. I Had No Idea (3:52)

5. To Whom It May Concern (3:44)

6. What We're Stuck With (5:40)

7. WWV (That is World War Five) (4:32)

8. Marching Stickmen (7:26)

Omar Brazily is the frontman for the Iron Maiden cover band Invaders, and he also fronted thrash metal band Wyvern.

At the moment he is taking a break from Invaders and actually left Wyvern due to him going back to Brazil for vocal courses for "an unknown period of time".

I had "a word" with Omar about his musical background, the metal scene in Egypt, the bands he's involved with, and more.
Here's how it went:


TMR: Can you tell me about your musical background ?

Omar: Well, regarding my musical background i begun to find myself on the vocalling field when i was 10 years as an amateur singing together with my brothers band (Overthrow)at school till the day that i joined his band when i was 11 which was a project totaly amateur and for just fun.In the following year it continued but getting more serious and trying to get more knowledge about what is it to be a singer.
After that, concerts and shows begun to raise more easily on the scene and the image of singing , performing, amusing people and the whole thing became more serious.

On 1999 my family moved from Sao Paulo to Brasilia the capital of Brazil and from that time the band ended but my vocalling studies continued and practicing too till when i begun to take private lessons of theorical music and vocal technics, then after some months i joined the School of Music of Brasilia and begun my studies for sometime.I had some drums lessons also because i believe that to be a good member of a band u need to have an idea of each intrument on it so you can classify whats missing and how to improve it.

During that time Overthrow came back with the same 3 brothers as members Me as vocal, Tamer my bro on the lead guitars ,Amir on bass and 2 more members Raphael Campos and Alexandre on the Guitars. We used to play heavy melodic metal.Gigs and gigs and rehearseal together with my studies and practicing lead to more experience and passion for the mic.

after some years in the early 00's we moved to Egypt when the same cycle happened again regarding the band and gigs, then some new members came up after knowing that there is metal around here.The main idea of concerts were very poor at that days, and we mostly played for keeping what we've got.

I begun to practice some guitar and had some small projects as a one man project playing guitar and singing some comercial songs.

After some years some organizations and studios poped up giving more opportunities for bands and musicians to show themselves. That's when the band begun to have an aim.

That's when i had the idea and founded "Invaders" an Iron Maiden Cover band as im mainly influenced by Iron Maiden's lead vocalist Bruce dickinson, and for my and the band members passion for maiden.

During that time some gigs came up and after one year i joined Wyvern.

Now im studying equipments and some basic sound engineering so i can understand how to reach the highest quality of sound i can as at the same time im having some new experience on recording vocals and studio recording as we are almost finished with our first album (Wyvern).



TMR: How was the Metal Scene back in 96 and before ?

Omar: Well, i can't tell u precisely how it was on 1996 as i wasn't here in Egypt, but from my knowledge background from what i use to hear from old people on the scene, they use to say that it was more organized than now and there was more followers than now.

And i use to hear that there was official sponsored gigs like Marlboro festival and some others.But as i said i wasnt here at the time.


TMR: Today, there is alot of bands coming out and gigs going on, do you think the scene is getting a positive push ?

Omar: Yes, there is a lot of bands coming up and a lot of bands coming out too from the scene, the push is positive as much people are getting into the "metal" thing and its being more appreciated and having a bigger place in the society, which is clearly seen on the concerts number of attendants.


TMR: Is it easy to book gigs nowadays ?

Omar: It is easy since the Saki cultural Wheel has been founded, but not for the whole scene as not all the metal genres are allowed to perform on this place.Uderground concerts which are rarely succesfull help too but they are kinda restricted.


TMR: Is there hang out spots for Metalheads in Egypt ?

Omar: Yes, but counted on fingers.


TMR: Whats one thing you'd like to add to the scene ?

Omar: Some emotion during the concerts and some more apprecciation for all the hard work the bands do from the crowd and also I would like to add to the scene some more appreciation from the society view and more


TMR: Can you tell me about the bands your involved with ?

Omar: Invaders is a Iron Maiden cover heavy metal band which also have some original songs, its a band built on the love we have as fans of Iron Maiden and so as a heavy metal band .

Wyvern is a heavy/Trash metal band that play originals and covers for bands which are mainly old school heavy metal.


TMR: How did you and the guys from WYVERN join forces ?

Omar: During the late 2007 wyvern's lead vocalist lost his voice and they called me to join the band.


TMR: Anything else you'd like to add ?

Omar: I would like to thank you and tell u that the idea or a metal reporter is something that we really needed in the past and are in need now here in this scene.Keep it up buddy.



I'd like to thank Omar for taking the time to answer my questions, looking forward to hearing from you once you return to the scene !
dont forget to check out Invaders and Wyvern !

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"

Alright so to expand the Spotlight section of the site, I'll take you now to Egypt where Destiny In Chains a Metalcore band is starting to spread their music around the metal community, they have already more then a couple of tracks up on their myspace page and are working on releasing an EP soon.

To get to know the guys a little bit more, we talked about their favorites, their influences, the band's sound, and alot more.
Heres how it went:

TMR: Can you tell me about yourselves ?

Xander: Simply we are Destiny in Chains a Metal band and in person we very close friends.
the band consists of:

Xander-Vocals
K.A- Bass
Peter- Guitar
Pual - GUitar
A.Demius-Drums
Shio- Keys

Music means alot to us and we just do what we enjoy doing, we are just trying to make it big one day.


TMR: Which bands influence you ? and who do you personally idolize ?

Xander: My Influences include BFMV, All That Remains, As i Lay dying, Devil Driver, Soilwork, and Scar Symmetry

Peter: Mine are Arch Enemy, Scar Symmetry , and Soilwork

Pual: All these bands are awesome i would just add Symphony X as one of my biggest Influence

Demuise: Well mine are Death metal like ( Nile - NECROPHAGIST - Deicide and so..)


TMR: Can you tell us about your sound ?

All: You can name it Metalcore and Deathcore, The First EP we made, was kind of a mix between, but our sound remains Metalcore/
Our new EP i think will be way better, more melodic and more singing.


TMR: Whats your upcoming plans ?

All: Trying to make some local gigs around here and also anywhere out there & recording our new EP .


TMR: Can you tell us about your musical background ?

Xander: for me actually I respect all kinda of music also i heard all kinda of music yeah for some reason i didn't feel some of the other genres, but I still respect it and believe if you wanna make good music to reach different loads of people, you must know about all kinds of music so you can find your own ! and i have found my own in metal, some of the earliest bands I started listening to like Metallica, Savatage, and Guns N Roses when I was a kid and just feeling the power inside their music, If you know what I mean !!


TMR: Which bands are you currently listening to ?

All: Lots of bands different genres

Xander: its different for each one of us No matter the genre is !!
but you can notice from everyone's Influences, that those are the bands we are currently listening to.


TMR: Did you listen to the new Metallica ?

All: Yeah Of course


TMR: If you had the chance to perform one song live with your all time favorite band, who would it be ?

Xander: ahh Hard to know I wish I can perform with many bands Specially A.T.R or Scar Symmetry !


TMR: Would you like to add anything ?

Xander: we wanna Thank you and thank all of our friends and fans out there Thank you so much and keep on supporting us and we promise you the best always, keep in touch always and wait for our upcoming news,


I'd like to thank the guys from Destiny In Chains for taking the time to answer my questions, make sure to check out the band's Myspace and to keep an eye out for their future EP.

Wish you the best of luck dudes !

Ever since the early 00's, Metal Accord has been the leading organizer in the Egyptian Metal scene.

Hosting some of the most successful Metal gigs in Egypt, with some of the most promising bands from the scene performing on the "Metal Accord" stage.

After a set back with a gig that would have had an International headliner and support acts (which was canceled a day before the event, due to some issues with the license grant.)

Metal Accord returns to the scene with a "Must Mosh At" gig on Halloween Night (whats a more metal way to spend Halloween ?) featuring some of the best bands from today's local scene.

The line up is as follows:

Headcase: Originals/Porcupine Tree/Opeth/Rush

Amulet: Metallica/Machine Head/Slayer/Originals (with Infliktora’s Khalilson, guest on Lead Guitar)

Invaders: Originals/Iron Maiden

Worm: Originals

Crescent: Originals

Shadowthrone: Dimmu Borgir/Emperor/Limbonic Art

and a guest appearance from one of Egypt's biggest Metal acts Dark Philosophy, with their new line up.


Wondering when's it time to headbang ?
October 31st, Halloween Night. Doors open 5PM.


Wondering where's the location that you'll be rocking out at ?
Villa Hassan Fahmy, Mansouria (from Haram Street) Giza, Egypt.


How much do you owe Metal Accord for having an awesome time ?
50LE per ticket - paid at the gate, no booking available.


Wanna piss off the rest of the metal heads going to the concert ?
A FREE Metal Accord DVD will be given to the first 50 fans to show up at the venue.
be awesome, be tr00, show up early and get it before others do.


For more information call 0112567800 / 0101514535
or email your questions to egyptmetalgates@hotmail.com / em.2kool@hotmail.com

RSVP you say ?
Event's facebook page


For more information head over to:
Metalaccord.co.nr
Blog Infliktora


Welcome back to the Metal Scene Mr. Accord !

Here's a video for Wyvren performing "Doctor Butcher" (Live @ Metal Accord VI 2007)



An additional side note:
Pictures and Videos from the upcoming event will be posted as soon as I get them from Moey


Horns Up !