Unless you're an invalid or just stupid, you are aware of the escalating events going on in the Middle East. Forgetting your political convictions for a moment, as a metalhead who has in one way or another been ostracized by the world around you for your musical beliefs (I know you have, buddy) it is more important than ever for us to cohere with our Middle Eastern comrades. I have always believed that music is a common language that can unify people from different ends of the world. Which is why I was over joyed to hear that Metality.net, a blog based in Cairo, Egypt, has put together a compilation called METALITY – The Compilation: Volume 2 – SOUNDS OF THE MIDDLE EAST.
With the help of the internet, I not only got to dabble in the grandeur of the fifty-five tracks presented on this album but I also got to know Mohab AKA iRoar Head of Metality.net.
I implore you to read the following interview that I conducted with iRoar as it really has opened up a door for me to gather some insight on being a metalhead in a place far away from the life I know in New York City.
What is the purpose of putting this compilation together?
The main purpose behind the compilation is to shed some light on the region's talent. The middle east has a lot to offer in terms of heavy metal. Unfortunately due to the way the general public views the music as a negative outlet, it makes things harder for bands to put their names out there.
We're hoping the compilation will be a gateway for fans abroad to check out what the region has to offer, and maybe begin digging in deeper to find out more bands from this side of the world.
Who put this together and how did you link with them?
The compilation was put together with the help of our promotional sponsors. We stay in touch mainly through Email, Facebook and Twitter. After spending over a month putting together a list of bands from around the region that we're in direct contact with to be considered. We then had our sponsors submit a bunch of bands from their respective countries for consideration as well.
Our main aim was to feature a diverse line up of bands performing all sorts of sub genres. You'll find extreme metal to power metal, deathcore to grindcore. I'm happy to be able to say that the compilation has something for every metal head.
Where do you live in the Middle East?
I'm from Cairo, Egypt which is where I stay most of the time. I study internet application development and web design. My parents work in the gulf. So I tend to travel around there often.
Would you say that Middle Eastern metalheads are united even though they might like different sub genres?
Metalheads in the Middle East aren't that different from metalheads in the west. There are diehards, there are hipsters, there are the scene kids, etc. The difference here is that when a metal gig comes around, you'll probably find most of them attending. Whether they're into metalcore, death metal, black metal, thrash metal or prog metal, etc. Mainly because events are not being held constantly. I'd say the scene is much more active and united online than it is in real life.
What about Middle Eastern metal makes it unique?
What makes Middle Eastern metal unique would be the situation here is much more complicated for bands. You can't really promote metal publicly because the general public view it as something negative and immoral, and don't really take the time to understand what most of these bands are really trying to express.
So bands and promoters have to use the internet in full force. That's why we put this compilation together and made it available digitally. To make sure that it's easily accessed by everyone around the world.
"Sounds of The Middle East" is merely the tip of the iceberg for what the region has to offer. There are many bands we love that are currently writing new material (like Egypt's Scarab and Jordan's Bilocate) or have released material most recently (Like UAE's Nervecell) that fans abroad should really check out.
Bands on METALITY – The Compilation: Volume 2 – SOUNDS OF THE MIDDLE EAST range from countries such as Morocco, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait and many more. I am astounded with the way they have combined their cultural music and the heavy metal sound. It's quite moving. I would die to get sweaty and putrid at a metal show in the city of Dubai one day. A girl can dream can't she?
If you haven't already started listening to the compilation what the heck are you waiting for? Click here to get your stream on and when you're done let me know what you think.
