In this day and age where the news are plastered with the disgusting acts of Islamic State and their followers, we should not forget that the Arab world is more than ISIS. In the predominantly Muslem countries are groups of people who in a very real sense fight for the right to play metal. Not in the silly Manowar sense, but in the sense that metal and rock music is so decidedly against the religious beliefs of the powers that be and that your life could potentially be at risk if you stand up for your music. As far as I know, this is not quite the case in Egypt where the death metal combo Scarab hails from, but as we can see on our television screens, the religious turmoil has also been present in the land of the pharaohs in recent times.
Scarab have been around for almost ten years, and lyrically, they dig into the past of their own country. The topics covered on this their second full-length are ancient mythologies and spirituality, and we're talking heavier stuff than your usual sex, drugs and rock'n'roll lyrics, that's for sure. I love this.
Musically, Scarab bridge Morbid Angel and Nile perfectly. Where I often find Nile undefined and difficult to access, the Egyptians manage to purport the same atmosphere and topical mysticism and at the same time bring in the more rock influenced elements that Morbid Angel do so fantastically, and which in effect makes the music more heavy and extreme. Anyway, you have surely already figured out which neck of the woods we're in death metal wise.
All in all, this is a strong album, which ought to find fans in death metal circles all over the world. Highly recommended listening!
