New Metal Review: Scarab - Serpents of the Nile

    I first started listening to Scarab a couple years back when I was compiling a list of metal bands from around the world that were completely kick ass. Since this time I've kept my ears to the sand, feeling elation when I heard that the Egyptian death metal gods had obliged with the release of their latest full length album "Serpents of the Nile". Serpents of the Nile was released under ViciSolum Productions and features 8 tracks of pure death metal destruction. Right from the start the album is heavily infused with Egyptian subtext. Every riff and progression in the album serves its purpose well, with the songs effectively reflecting the wrath and destruction that the ancient gods were known best for.

    Serpents of the Nile is packed full of insanely fast, crunchy, and technical guitar riffs as well a perfectly executed drum work. So much so that every song provided me with many moments of headbanging fury throughout my listening pleasure. After the first few songs it quickly became clear that Scarab has a lot more to offer than your run of the mill death metal band; providing neck-cramping melodies, clever progression changes and killer guitar solos throughout the album. Scarab also seamlessly works in moments of keyboards in the album, effectively adding layers and depth as a result. To top it all off, the instrumentals on this album are perfectly paired with devastating death metal vocals, worthy of the ears of the Ra himself.

    Egyptian themed death metal is nothing new to a lot of death metal listeners, but Scarab presents a much different beast than other incarnations of the sound. With Scarab hailing from Egypt, you can really feel the passion and culture inside the music, while at no time resenting the theme. Serpents of the Nile is a solid as hell album. Every song on the album is killer, but I especially enjoyed the guitar work featured on the tracks "The Afterlife Illusions" and "Pyramid of Illusions", so make sure to check them out. Take a listen for yourself and make sure to check out the entire album if you like what you hear! /,,/ Also make sure to check the band out online @ www.scarabegypt.com and vicisolumrecords.bandcamp.com.

- Although the theme of ancient Egypt is not a new concept, Scarab is not to be confused with other bands of similar style. Serpents of the Nile is a unique entity, having a solid death metal core but also successfully pulling on other branches of death metal for inspiration.
- My Verdict
\m/\m/\m/\m/\n out of \m/\m/\m/\m/\m/
4.5/5 - Bury this album with you to accompany you in the afterlife!

New Metal Review: Multinational Corporations: Jamat-al-Maut

   One of the biggest reasons why the Heavy Metal Sasquatch loves the delicious taste of metal is its ability to convey powerful messages to its listeners alongside bone crushing power. Multinational Corporations (aka MxCx) is no stranger to this concept, unleashing a hellstorm of hate and power in their debut EP "Jamat-al-Maut", which translates roughly to "University of Death". Hailing from Lahore, Pakistan, Multinational Corporations' Jamat-al-Maut runs slightly over 13 minutes long and features an assault of crust infused grindcore and old school heavy metal with clear influences of bands such as Black Sabbath, Napalm Death, Municipal Waste, Insect Warfare, & Doom.

   The first track off the EP sets the stage perfectly with the title "Fuck Your Patriotism", which unleashes quick brutal drumming and crusty as hell guitar riffs. Jamat-al-Maut is a killer album, merging heavy doom riffs together with old school death vocals. The instrumentals on this album are simple but wicked as hell, featuring a combination of slow doom riffs and technical groove/grindcore progressions. My favourite tracks from the album were Penniless Pride and L.P.C; which both included heavy doom guitar riffage, as well as straight to the point no nonsense drumming. Both tracks also have very respectable and absolutely killer old school guitar solos, demanding huge respect from the Yeti. /,,/ /,,/

    Jamat-al-Maut is musically unique as well as some very powerful stuff. Each song is clearly and effectively fuelled by intense emotion,  with the band claiming its inspiration from "anger accumulated over time due to the fucked up conditions of living in Pakistan". While I cannot attest directly to their strife, Multinational Corporations very successfully voices their contempt for Pakistani as well as global society.  Listen to and grab a download of Multinational Corporations' Jamat-al-Maut below. As always also make sure to check them out on facebook @ www.facebook.com/multinationalcorporationspakistan. /,,/


 - I enjoyed Multinational Corporations on all levels. Musically I really dig their fusion of grindcore, doom, and old school heavy metal and politically I share their disdain for the fucked up situation our planet finds itself in. This album is absolutely worth a listen. So get angry and commence the headbang!
-My Verdict
\m/\m/\m/\m/ out of \m/\m/\m/\m/\m/
4/5 - Anger fuelled crust at its finest!!

Six metal bands from around the world you should be listening to!

    One of the things I love most about the metal genre is its ability to transcend nationality and cultural borders with amazing success. Historically, the majority of heavy metal bands are pumped out of Europe and North America; but it is important to remember the vast stock of talent that exists outside the mainstream. No matter what country a metal band originates from, the end product always results in bone crushing, face melting, riot inducing, raw power. In my pursuit of all things heavy, I have recently decided to search out some new metal bands from around the world to see what I have been missing; and damn I have missed a lot. While I have discovered dozens of new wicked bands, I want to give an honourable mention to 6 of the best bands I discovered as they are absolutely insane and deserve your immediate attention.

1. Kraptor - Pure old school Thrash Metal from San Cristobal, Venezuela!

Support them at facebook.com/kraptorofficial

2. Scarab - Brutal Death Metal from the streets of Cairo, Egypt!

Support them at facebook.com/Scarabegypt

3. Reptilian Death -  Killer Technical Death Metal from the depths of Mumbai, India!

Support them at https://reptiliandeath.bandcamp.com/ 

4. Myrath - Melodic Power Metal right from the deserts of Tunis, Tunisia!

Support them at facebook.com/myrathband

5. Suffocated -  Heavy as hell Death Thrash from Beijing, China.

Support them at https://www.facebook.com/chinasuffocated

6. Crackdust -  Dark sludgy Death metal from Gaborone, Botswana!

Support them at facebook.com/pages/Crackdust/6752099315

-I hope this post helps you expand your metal collection to outside the country of which you call home, leave a comment with some more wicked international bands you know of!

-Heavy Metal Sasquatch out! \m/