MASSIVE SCAR ERA's "Color Blind" Brings Arabic Egyptian Metal Into The Spotlight; New EP "Metal Goes Egyptian" Out Now!
Massive Scar Era is the brainchild of the visionary artist Cherine Amr, who leads a collaborative journey with diverse musicians in every EP, bringing her unique vision to life. Originating from Alexandria, Egypt, and currently based in Montreal, Canada, Massive Scar Era defies genre boundaries, weaving together a captivating tapestry of progressive rock, post-grunge, Egyptian music, and metal, resonating deeply with audiences across the globe. They just released their seventh recording “Metal Goes Egyptian” this past November and have a video out now for the single "Color Blind", which Amr comments on:
“We decided to rearrange this previously released song for inclusion in this project primarily because of its numerous delicate vocal ornaments. These ornaments provided an opportunity for an Arabic arrangement. Once the Arabic arrangement was introduced, these subtle elements became much more pronounced compared to the original arrangement. I wrote this song after I was denied entry to the USA to play at SXSW with MSE due to the Muslim ban implemented by Trump. Although Egypt wasn’t on the banned list, the border officer was cautious about bands from our region participating, fearing it could add to the ongoing protests at the festival. Fortunately, that’s all in the past now, and I’ve been able to perform many shows smoothly in the USA since the situation has improved.”
Watch the video for "Color Blind" at https://youtu.be/T5ymMOGtK9A
The process of selecting the songs for the EP was a collaborative effort between Weka Soliman and Cherine Amr. Soliman, as the Arabic music arranger, played a crucial role in this decision-making process. His expertise and understanding of Arabic music were invaluable in choosing songs that would provide a suitable canvas for the integration of Arabic music elements. To accommodate the range of Arabic instruments and create an authentic and cohesive sound, project consultant, Katia Makdissi-Warren suggested transposing some of the songs. This adjustment allowed them to maintain the integrity of both the original compositions and the Arabic music elements, ensuring a seamless fusion between the two.
Since its inception in 2004, Massive Scar Era has been at the forefront of musical innovation, pioneering a remarkable fusion of fierce vocals, intricate violin melodies, distorted guitars, and the pulsating rhythms of Egyptian percussion. Amr’s music reflects the cosmopolitan allure of Alexandria intertwined with the raw essence of Cairo’s urban landscape. “Metal Goes Egyptian” is recommended for fans of metal and Middle Eastern influences.
“Metal Goes Egyptian" was recorded and filmed with a traditional Egyptian Arabic music orchestra in Studio Mix Art in Montreal, Canada. The EP was released on November 3, 2023, and is available on Bandcamp, Spotify, and Apple Music at the following link: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/massivescarera/metal-goes-egyptian-2
Previous Music Videos at https://www.youtube.com/@MassiveScarEra
Track Listing:
1. Between Waves - 3:22
2. 30 Years - 4:43
3. Oblivious - 3:46
4. Back to the Sun - 3:41
5. Color Blind - 3:14
6. Endorphins - 2:37
EP Length: 21:26
More info: Facebook.com/massivescarera | Instagram.com/massivescarera
"Steeped in Metal, but bridging the gap to Egyptian music, Massive Scar Era is a Metal band you need to know about in 2023. The brainchild of visionary artist Cherine Amr, their new EP Metal Goes Egyptian, the seventh release in her career, is coming out in November. Not only does the band creative a ground-breaking mix of Metal and world music, Cherine had to flee her country where “the devil’s music” is forbidden to create, let alone defying gender norms that could lead to punishment, or worse. With its unique fusion of Prog Rock, post-Grunge, Egyptian music, and Heavy Metal, the group just released a new single “Between Waves!”" - Ghost Cult Magazine
" When you’re a metal act, you either go big or you go home, and going big is what Massive Scar Era does extremely well. Today, the metal ensemble unveiled the video for their new single, “Oblivious,” off of their Metal Goes Egyptian EP. As an in-studio performance video, it’s simple but effective. It’s particularly effective due to the level of precision with which the band plays. Then you add in the orchestral elements, and you have essentially what amounts to a symphony. Beyond band founder and leader Cherine Amr, there are many minds and parties at play to bring this vision to life. Amr collaborates closely with musicians, producers, and video creators. Her goal is to combine heavy metal’s power with traditional Arabic music’s beauty and charisma. You’ll hear it all come together in perfect harmony upon Metal Goes Egyptian’s official release on November 3rd." - V13
"As the title indicates, it’s metal with a middle eastern tone and style… mostly melodic death with clean and harsh vox." - The Moshpit - WORT 89.9 FM (Madison, WI)
"the Egyptian-Western music cocktail has an almost hypnotic effect" - PowerMetal.de
"Through “Metal Goes Egypt”, their new EP, Canadian band Massive Scar Era invites open-minded heavy music fans to embark on a musical journey that transcends borders and creates a unique fusion of metal energy and the melodic beauty and cultural nuances of traditional Egyptian Arabic music." - YoZone.fr
